Friday Factoid
USD 409 Continuous School Improvement News
Factoid #1: What is AdvancED?
AdvancED is an external organization made up of thousands of educational professionals committed to helping schools improve. This non-profit, non-partisan organization conducts rigorous and systematic reviews to ensure all students are reaching their potential. Their work is grounded in more than 100 years of school accreditation. AdvancED was created by a 2006 merger of Pre-K-12 divisions 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) - and expanded through the addition of the Northwest Accreditation Commision (NWAC) in 2011.
AdvancED uses a balanced, systemic approach which combines standards, stakeholder feedback, and student performance to measure quality programs, relationships, and results. Through this process districts are able to make the most of their talents and resources. The school improvement process aligns accreditation with accountability, emphasizing learner outcomes while evaluating institutional quality.
Schools choosing to use the AdvancED accreditation system organize their planning and work around five year cycles. Atchison Public School System is currently in our 2nd five cycle of systems accreditation.