Accreditation Progress Report Village School Mr. Jose Antonio Peyre Boulevard Village Km 25.5 Carretera a El Salvador Finca Labor El Rosario Villa Canales, Guatemala
Prepared for the AdvancED Quality Assurance Review Report Status : Accepted Report Open Date : April 18, 2012 Report Due Date : May 1, 2014 Report Submitted Date : April 30, 2014 Report Accepted Date : May 26, 2014
Village School
Accreditation Progress Report Contents 1.0 About AdvancED and NCA CASI/SACS CASI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.0 Introduction to the Accreditation Progress Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.0. Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.0. Required Action 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.1. School Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.2. Reviewer Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.0. Required Action 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1. School Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.2. Reviewer Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.0. Required Action 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.1. School Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.2. Reviewer Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AdvancED Accreditation Progress Report
3 4 5 7 7 10 11 11 13 14 14 16
Page 2 of 16
Village School
1.0 About AdvancED and NCA CASI/SACS CASI Background. Dedicated to advancing excellence in education worldwide, AdvancED provides accreditation, research, and professional services to 27,000 schools in 65 countries. AdvancED provides accreditation under the seals of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). The Accreditation Process. To earn and maintain accreditation, schools must: 1. Meet the AdvancED Standards for Quality School Systems. Schools demonstrate adherence to the seven AdvancED standards which describe the quality practices and conditions that research and best practice indicate are necessary for school systems to achieve quality student performance and organizational effectiveness. 2. Engage in continuous improvement. Schools implement continuous improvement focused on improving student performance and school effectiveness. 3. Demonstrate quality assurance through internal and external review. Schools engage in a planned process of ongoing internal review and self-assessment. In addition, schools host an external Quality Assurance Review team once every five years. The team evaluates the school's adherence to the AdvancED quality standards, assesses the efficacy of the school's improvement process and methods for quality assurance, and provides commendations and required actions to help the school improve. The school acts on the team's required actions and submits an Accreditation Progress Report at prescribed intervals following the Quality Assurance Review. The AdvancED accreditation process engages the entire school community in a continuous process of selfevaluation and improvement. The overall aim is to help schools be the best they can be on behalf of the students they serve.
AdvancED Accreditation Progress Report
Page 3 of 16
Village School
2.0 Introduction to the Accreditation Progress Report Purpose The Accreditation Progress Report (APR) is a critical component of the AdvancED accreditation process. It engages the school in a detailed review and analysis of the steps it has taken to address the required actions made by the AdvancED Quality Assurance Review (QAR) team. Completing the report helps the school focus and reflect on its continuous improvement efforts.
It is the responsibility of the school to address each of the QAR report's required actions within the 5-year term accreditation. Deadlines for completion of the report are based on the school's accreditation status and must be met to maintain accreditation. Some schools may complete multiple reports during the 5-year term to demonstrate that they have fully addressed the required actions. Structure of the Report The APR is organized around the required actions in the school's QAR team report. The APR lists the required action from the report along with the rationale and evidence supporting the required action. The school then indicates the progress that it has made toward meeting the required action and provides a more detailed response describing the actions it has taken and the results obtained. The school provides a response for each of the QAR team required actions.
Following the school's response is the reviewer's response. Each APR is read by an AdvancED reader in the state or regional office who reviews the school's response to determine if the required action has been met. The reader provides his/her assessment of the progress the school has made and then offers comments to the school. If required actions remain in progress or not addressed, a new APR will be created with a new deadline for completion. As noted earlier, the school must address the required actions within the 5-year accreditation term. Conclusion The Accreditation Progress Report is a useful report for members of the school and broader community. It helps community members see and monitor the ongoing improvement efforts of their school. It demonstrates how the school uses its accreditation for the ongoing benefit of the students it serves.
AdvancED Accreditation Progress Report
Page 4 of 16
Village School
3.0. Summary 1.1. Based on the actions taken by your institution to address the required actions provided by the QAR team, what has been the impact on your institution's overall effectiveness?: Village School prides itself on the process of school improvement. Our goal is to adopt effective practices for school improvement that help us advance the level of education we provide. We realize that school improvement is both strategic and operational, so to truly address the required actions of the QAR report we designed and implemented a Priority Action Plan containing 3 major goals and 30 specific actions.
QAR REQUIRED ACTIONS / IMPACTS: 1. Design and implement a continuous, focused professional development plan that supports school improvement goals and provides for the growth of all personnel. Impact: All staff at Village School is now enrolled in a continuous, focused professional development plan that supports school improvement goals and provides for the growth of all personnel. 2. Use relevant data analysis to provide administrators and teachers with pertinent information for decisionmaking to enhance the instructional programs and school effectiveness. Impact: Staff at Village School is improving in their use of data analysis in order to drive decision making as it relates to school programs and effectiveness. 3. Evaluate and communicate the impact of improvement efforts in demonstrating growth in student performance and school effectiveness. Impact: Leadership at Village School is evaluating and communicating the impact of improvement efforts that have been implemented toward improving student achievement.
As a result of these actions, the school continues to demonstrate improvements in overall effectiveness. Currently we have a more qualified professional staff to support the educational program. Specifically, they are more effective users of relevant data and now possess appropriate tools to collect and analyze information in order to make decisions and interventions. This includes data gathered through assessments and other performance reports as well as perception data from student, parent, and educator surveys. We understand this is an ongoing process and that the full impact will be evident in the near future. 1.2. What would you consider to be challenges that still lie ahead and how do you plan to address those challenges?: While Village School has addressed several issues, there remain several challenges ahead. Regarding Professional Development, we will need to continually create modules for our Village Academy online courses in order to focus our efforts on meeting the diverse needs of our staff, including individual teacher needs and language barriers. AdvancED Accreditation Progress Report
Page 5 of 16
Village School
The challenges related to data analysis are to expand the use of high quality data, evidence, and information from multiple sources to drive improvements in teaching and learning. The use of relevant data analysis to provide staff with quality information for decision making continues to be a major focus since the QAR Team visit. In addition, we need to continue to systemize the evaluation and communication of the impact of our improvement efforts. We understand the importance of maintaining our focus on these long term goals. 1.3. How will you use the insights gained from your accreditation activities to inform and enhance your quality assurance and school improvement efforts?: Village has already implemented all of the required actions from our Accreditation Report. As a result, we compared our existing practices with the suggested improvements of the visiting team and improved our own. This process validated our belief in the continuous cycle of improvement. As a result of the refinement of our plans, we have now focused our efforts on addressing a fewer number of key goals with a more in-depth approach. We will continue to communicate and enhance our improvement efforts as we remain committed to the growth of all personnel, data analysis, and effective communication.
AdvancED Accreditation Progress Report
Page 6 of 16
Village School
Village School hosted a Quality Assurance Review team on 03/25/2012 - 03/29/2012. Through interviews with school stakeholders, classroom observations, and a review of school documents and student performance results, the team developed a Quality Assurance Review (QAR) report detailing its findings from the visit. The full report can be viewed at www.advanc-ed.org. The QAR report contained commendations and required actions for the school. The school is responsible for addressing each of the required actions in the report. At prescribed intervals based on the school's accreditation status, the school must complete an Accreditation Progress Report. Below, please find the required actions from the QAR report and the school's response to each required action. Following the school's response is the reviewer's progress response and comments.
4.0. Required Action 1 Source: QAR Date: 2012-04-18 Required Action: Design and implement a continuous, focused professional development plan that supports school improvement goals and provides for the growth of all personnel. Evidence: Instructional and non-instructional staff indicated during interviews that their differentiated professional development needs and interests were not being accommodated, which was corroborated by the results of the surveys of professional development needs. A review of staff professional development records revealed that adherence to timely professional development is not comprehensively monitored. Although professional development time is allocated in the calendar and opportunities are provided, it does not appear to be focused on the improvement initiatives and personnel needs. Rationale: All school personnel have a direct impact on student performance and school effectiveness; therefore, resources supporting relevant continuous professional development opportunities for all will help to ensure progress toward the school's vision and purpose.
4.1. School Response Progress Status:
Completed
Response:
Goal Number 1 of the Priority Plan: Staff at Village School will be enrolled in a continuous, focused professional development plan that supports school improvement goals and provides for the growth of all personnel. The measurable objective is to demonstrate an increase in the professional growth of all personnel yearly as measured by the Professional Development Calendar, Letter of Commitment, Online Training Report Card, and Compliance Matrices.
AdvancED Accreditation Progress Report
Page 7 of 16
Village School Strategy 1: Train Village School teaching and non-teaching staff in relevant areas Teaching and non-teaching staff completed professional development in relevant areas such as technology, data analysis, evaluation, individualized instruction, etc. Activity 1: Budget for training was allocated. Activity 2: Teacher training program was reviewed and revised. Activity 3: Non-teaching training program was reviewed and revised. Activity 4: Staff training program was updated, implemented, and monitored. Activity 5: The impact of the updated training program is being evaluated. Strategy 2: Foster staff professional development
Staff members were enrolled in a professional development process. Staff certifications were verified to make sure they met all the requirements for his/her position. Failing to do so, these employees were either relocated to an appropriate position or enrolled in an educational development process to meet the required conditions or were removed. Activity 1: Compliance Matrices were developed. Activity 2: Staff who did not meet qualifications or credentials were identified. Activity 3: A Compliance Plan was developed. Activity 4: Individual professional development plans for all the staff were developed. Activity 5: The individual professional plans were implemented and monitored. Activity 6: The impact of the individual professional development plans will continue to be evaluated. Strategy 3: Performance evaluation of all personnel
Principals and Assistant Principals evaluated their staff at least once each semester. Feedback was provided and an improvement plan was implemented. Activity 1: Instruments for performance evaluation were reviewed and revised. Activity 2: A complete performance evaluation program was developed. Activity 3: The performance evaluation program was implemented and monitored. Activity 4: The impact of the implementation of the performance evaluation program will continue to be evaluated. AdvancED Accreditation Progress Report
Page 8 of 16
Village School
Strategy 4: Recruit, hire, and place highly qualified staff The Administrative Director recruited, hired, and placed sufficient highly qualified professionals to support the educational program. Activity 1: A portal to recruit highly qualified personnel was created. Activity 2: National and international recruitment services were contracted. Activity 3: Participated in national job fairs. Activity 4: Employment benefits were improved. Activity 5: Screening processes prior to hiring staff were improved. Activity 6: The impact of the implementation of new hiring strategies will continue to be evaluated. Strategy 5: Review and revise the induction process The staff completed a thorough induction process prior to initiating work at the school. Activity 1: The Induction Manual was reviewed and revised. Activity 2: The modules of the induction program were developed. Activity 3: Facilitators of the induction program were trained. Activity 4: The induction program was implemented. Activity 5: Staff members were trained for mentoring. Activity 6: The implementation of the induction program was updated and monitored. Activity 7: The impact of implementation of the induction program will continue to be evaluated. NEXT STEPS: After reviewing and revising the training program, the leadership of the school decided the staff training should be completed online to offer differentiated professional development opportunities. Since July, 2013, the school began developing the online courses and modules, and currently we have already completed 15% of them. Our goal is to have all the courses, including the induction courses, ready by 2016. The plan is to have certified teachers use our Village Academy Online Courses and to recertify them every year. Right now, we are combining the online courses with afterhours sessions every Thursday, once a month sessions and two weeks of professional AdvancED Accreditation Progress Report
Page 9 of 16
Village School development in July, just before beginning the new school year, and we also utilize outside resources. Village Academy Online sessions allow teachers to differentiate and individualize their professional development at their convenience. Our school professional development plan is needs based and data driven, training days are planned and published in the annual calendar distributed to parents and staff at the beginning of the year. Artifacts: 1. Staff Training Budget 2. Updated Teacher Training Program 3. Updated Non-Teacher Training Program 4. Staff Compliance Matrices 5. Staff Individual Professional Development Plan 6. Performance Evaluation Program 7. Personnel Recruitment Portal on School Website 8. Employment Benefits 9. Personnel Hiring Screening Process 10. Instructional Induction Manual 11. Village School Annual Calendar 12. Online Professional Development Courses
4.2. Reviewer Response Progress Response:
Completed
Comments for Institution:
The school's descriptions of measures taken, i.e. elaboration of a focused professional development plan within the school's Priority Plan and the articulated five strategies and activities is a most positive development. The number of PD initiatives that have been implemented and realized has been substantive. Furthermore, the established goal of offering Village Academy Online staff training courses and modules is also applauded. This effort will require however regular monitoring and ongoing development to reach the desired goal of completion of all courses by 2016. Additionally, the need for continued attention to PD activities during the school year, i.e. two weeks of PD focus during the July in-service period and PD sessions during the weeks of the regular school year, will be an ongoing additional need. It is also suggested that opportunity be established for regular survey of staff members to acquire
AdvancED Accreditation Progress Report
Page 10 of 16
Village School their feedback and also assure regular efficacy evaluation. Congratulations are extended to the school for the development of the professional development plan and all measures delineated in the APR for continued addressing of this important initiative.
5.0. Required Action 2 Source: QAR Date: 2012-04-18 Required Action: Use relevant data analysis to provide administrators and teachers with pertinent information for decision-making to enhance the instructional programs and school effectiveness. Evidence: The scores of several of the assessments are expressed qualitative measures rather than quantitative measures that would allow for easy systematic analysis of instructional and organizational effectiveness.. There was no data presented on the overall national scores or subgroups of scores on the PAA, a Guatemalan examination used for college entrance. There was no longitudinal data provided for the Stanford which could demonstrate student growth over time. Results of the different assessments tools are not systematically communicated to the teachers, so that they can use the information to improve the teaching and learning process. Rationale: In order to be able to measure and compare students' academic progress and program effectiveness, it is important to have clear organization of the data from the academic assessments that are expressed in standard statistical terms. This will allow monitoring of student and group progress, as well as comparative studies with like schools, national and international populations that will allow for program evaluation. Using relevant data for decision making purposes will ensure the capability of the school and teachers to measure the impact/growth of efforts to improve student performance and school effectiveness.
5.1. School Response Progress Status:
Completed
Response:
Goal Number 2 of the Priority Plan: Village School Staff will become consistent users of relevant data for decision making. Measurable Objective: Demonstrate the use of relevant data for decision making to enhance the instructional programs and school effectiveness annually as measured by Standardized Test Data, Student Performance Record, VAC (Village Adjusted Curriculum) Referral Process Form, Student Portfolios, Student Intervention Reports, Pedagogical Intervention Form, Student Follow Up, Etc.
AdvancED Accreditation Progress Report
Page 11 of 16
Village School Strategy 1: Establish a Comprehensive Student Assessment System The Evaluation Committee reviewed, revised, and updated the Student Assessment System assuring the use of multiple assessments to include diagnostic, formative, and summative evaluations. Activity 1: The Evaluation Committee was created. Activity 2: The Student Assessment System was updated to include diagnostic exams, Student Portfolios, Integrated Projects, Problem-Solving Case Studies, Rubrics, Checklists, Student Self Evaluations, Peer Evaluations, and addition of MAP Testing, etc. Activity 3: Intervention Programs have been designed, implemented, and monitored based on the data generated from these multiple assessments. Activity 4: Results from all assessments will continue to be used to monitor student progress. Activity 5: The ASSIST Diagnostic Tools to measure improvement were utilized. Activity 6: Domestic assessments will be designed based on learning taxonomies. Activity 7: The impact of the implementation of the Student Assessment System will be monitored through academic performance. Strategy 2: Staff shall collect, analyze, and apply data for decision making Teaching and non-teaching staff used approved systematic processes and procedures for collecting, analyzing, and learning from a range of data sources, including comparison of data that provided a comprehensive picture of student learning, instruction, and the effectiveness of school programs. Activity 1: Processes and procedures for collecting and analyzing data sources were developed. Activity 2: School-wide data, by grade level and subject, was reviewed and analyzed. Activity 3: Data was used to develop, implement, and evaluate improvement plans. Activity 4: Based on relevant data, students were identified for remediation and/or enrichment and were referred to the VAC (Village Adjusted Curriculum) Program. This program was created for students with special learning needs as well as academically struggling students. Activity 5: The Academic Committee meets regularly to analyze achievement testing results. Activity 6: The MAP pilot program was applied, the results were analyzed, and recommendations for school-wide implementation were received. AdvancED Accreditation Progress Report
Page 12 of 16
Village School
Activity 7: As a result of analyzing student reading level data, we implemented school based and home based reading programs. We will also begin using an online, lexile based reading program next year. Strategy 3: Train teaching and non-teaching staff on evaluation, interpretation, and use of data All staff was regularly and systematically assessed and trained in an individualized professional development program related to evaluation, interpretation, and use of data. Activity 1: Professional development courses on evaluation, interpretation, and use of data were developed and implemented. Activity 2: The impact of these professional development courses is being evaluated. NEXT STEPS: Data analysis is a skill set that we will continue to develop in all our staff. All staff members will be monitored to assure that appropriate data is driving their decisions. We will research, collaborate, and use technological tools to guide us in collecting and analyzing data effectively. We will continue analyzing all available data with the support of our Student Records Office. Remediation and individualized interventions will continue to be provided as needed by the classroom teachers, principals, and assistant principals. ARTIFACTS 1. Evaluation Committee Policy 2. Updated Student Assessment Manual 3. 4. Data Collection and Analysis ManualStaff 5. Professional Development Records 6. 7. 8. 9.
Professional Development Schedules MAP Implementation (Student Goal Setting Worksheets, etc.) MAP TrainingMAP Pilot Program Report and recommendations Individual Student Performance Records
Standardized Tests Matrix 10. Examples of student multiple assessments
5.2. Reviewer Response Progress Response:
Completed
Comments for Institution:
Once again, the school's confirmation that this Required Action is now incorporated within the school's Priority Plan is evidence of the school's commitment to fully addressing this action. Particularly notable within the identified strategies and activities
AdvancED Accreditation Progress Report
Page 13 of 16
Village School has been the establishment of Comprehensive Student Assessment System and corresponding intervention programs based upon collected student MAP performance data. Critical will be the affirmation made within the APR that data analysis will be an ongoing focus of the school and a skill set of development on the part of all teaching and non-teaching staff in how to effectively collect, evaluate, and interpret student performance data. This effort must also take into consideration PD training for any new staff members. This Required Action is considered "Completed" based upon the school's measures reported in the APR and congratulations are extended.
6.0. Required Action 3 Source: QAR Date: 2012-04-18 Required Action: Evaluate and communicate the impact of improvement efforts in demonstrating growth in student performance and school effectiveness. Evidence: Although the completion status of implementation of previous initiatives helped to inform some continuation into the Strategic Plan 2012-2017, there was no evidence of evaluation of the impact of the improvement initiatives. The dissemination and communication of improvement efforts and results were not demonstrated to be widely communicated to parents, staff or entire school community. Rationale:
Specific improvement goals that are measurable will provide the basis for data to determine the impact of improvement efforts and will help ensure a highly, sustainable continuous process of improvement that can be readily communicated to all stakeholders.
6.1. School Response Progress Status:
In Progress
Response:
Goal Number 3 of the Priority Plan: Leadership at Village School will evaluate and communicate the impact of improvement efforts toward demonstrating growth in student performance and school effectiveness. Measurable Objective: Collaborate to evaluate and communicate the impact of improvement efforts by 04/31/2014 as measured by ongoing surveys, quarterly digital publications, parent-administration meetings, welcoming introductory meeting, status of
AdvancED Accreditation Progress Report
Page 14 of 16
Village School school goals letters, etc. Strategy 1: Evaluate the impact of improvement efforts Leadership regrouped the Improvement Committee to develop procedures in order to evaluate the impact of the ongoing Improvement Plan. Activity 1: Instruments were identified and correlated to specific improvement efforts in order to measure their impact. Activity 2: These instruments were added to the Strategic Plan according to these correlations. Activity 3: Evaluation criteria were defined. Activity 4: Analysis of data generated from these instruments is now ongoing. Strategy 2: Develop an ongoing and effective communication plan to increase stakeholders' knowledge about the school´s improvement goals and results. Activity 1: An inventory of current communication channels was collected. Activity 2: Target stakeholder groups were identified. Activity 3: The effectiveness of previous communications was reviewed. Activity 4: Best practices of school communication were researched and discussed. Activity 5: A communication plan was developed and implemented, and its impact will continue to be evaluated. Strategy 3: Communicate the result of improvement efforts Leadership communicated the results of improvement efforts through all the available channels in order to reach all stakeholders as mandated by the Communication Plan. Activity 1: Standardized testing results are now being discussed with parents and students. Activity 2: An annual improvement report for stakeholders has been scheduled for publication. Activity 3: School publications with improvement information were sent to stakeholders. Activity 4: Social networks were utilized to communicate improvement information. Activity 5: Meetings with parents regarding student growth were increased to a quarterly basis.
AdvancED Accreditation Progress Report
Page 15 of 16
Village School NEXT STEPS Village School will continue to be committed toward demonstrating and communicating our improvement efforts. We believe these efforts will lead to achieving growth in student performance and school effectiveness. Our current plan will ensure our goals for effective communication will be achieved. Using feedback from these communications, we will further engage all stakeholders in our continuous school improvement process. ARTIFACTS 1. Evaluation of the improvement plan reports 2. 3. Communication Plan School-parents communications via SAC, Edline.net, Facebook, Twitter, 4. newspapers, etc. 5. Parent-administration meeting minutes School Welcome Video 6. 7. Yearbook Principal Letter Stakeholder Surveys 8. General Assemblies to recognize student success
6.2. Reviewer Response Progress Response:
In Progress
Comments for Institution:
This Required Action, as confirmed by the school, is still "In Progress." The two components of the Required Action, "evaluation" and "communication" of educational improvement efforts are what will require regular monitoring and elaboration by the school. The school's confirmation that analysis of data is now being generated and that a communication plan has been developed and implemented with standardized test results being discussed with parents and students is great to see. As the school takes ongoing additional measures, i.e. development of regular channels of communication such as regular meetings with parents to report feedback, publication of an Annual School Report with full disclosure for all stakeholders of improvement results, etc. the school will be poised to successfully address and complete this final Required Action as well.
AdvancED Accreditation Progress Report
Page 16 of 16