Focus Group Criteria
(From www.acswasc.org I have cut and paste the material because we cannot link directly to the frame and it is difficult to find it on their website.)

A school shall be evaluated on the basis of the degree to which it is accomplishing the purposes and functions outlined in its own statement of purpose, and on the appropriateness of those purposes and functions for an institution of its type. To qualify for accreditation, a school must give evidence of adequately meeting the following criteria which are established as general guidelines to determine the effectiveness of a school's educational program and services.

Fundamental to accreditation is the quality of the educational program experienced by the students. The relative weight of each criterion depends upon its effect on the educational program experienced by students at the school. In addition, a school must give evidence of an ongoing process for improving its educational program. The criteria are:

Organization for Student Learning
Curriculum and Instruction
Support for Student Personal and Academic Growth
Resource Management and Development

Organization for Student Learning

School Purpose The school has established a clear statement of purpose that reflects the beliefs and philosophy of the institution. The purpose is defined further by adopted expected schoolwide learning results that form the basis of the educational program for every student.

Governance The governing authority (a) adopts policies which are consistent with the school purpose and support the achievement of the expected schoolwide learning results for the school, (b) delegates implementation of these policies to the professional staff and (c) monitors results.

School Leadership The school leadership (1) makes decisions to facilitate actions that focus the energies of the school on student achievement of the expected schoolwide learning results (2) empowers the staff and (3) encourages commitment,participation and shared accountability for student learning.

Staff The school leadership and staff are qualified for their assigned responsibilities,are committed to the school's purpose and engage in ongoing professional development that promotes student learning.

School Environment The school has a safe, healthy, nurturing environment that reflects the school's purpose and is characterized by respect for differences, trust,caring, professionalism, support, and high expectations for each student.

Report Student Progress The school leadership and staff regularly assess student progress toward accomplishing the expected schoolwide learning results and report student progress to the rest of the school community.

School Improvement Process The school leadership facilitates school improvement which (a) is driven by plans of action that will enhance quality learning for all students,(b) has school community support and involvement, (c) effectively guides the work of the school, and (d) provides for accountability through monitoring of the schoolwide action plan.

Curriculum and Instruction

What Students Learn The school provides a challenging, coherent and relevant curriculum for each student that fulfills the school's purpose and results in student achievement of the expected schoolwide learning results through successful completion of any course of study offered.

How Students Learn The professional staff a) uses research based knowledge about teaching and learning; and b) designs and implements a variety of learning experiences that actively engage students at a high level of learning consistent with the school's purpose and expected schoolwide learning results.

How Assessment is Used Teacher and student uses of assessment are frequent and integrated into the teaching/learning process. The assessment results are the basis for(a) measurement of each student's progress toward the expected schoolwide learning results, (b) regular evaluation and improvement of curriculum and instruction, and (c) allocation of resources.

Support for Student Personal and Academic Growth

Student Connectedness Students are connected to a system of support services, activities and opportunities at the school and within the community that meet the challenges of the curricular and co-curricular program in order to achieve the expected schoolwide learning results.

Community Involvement The school leadership employs a wide range of strategies to ensure that parental and community involvement is integral to the school's established support system for students.

Resource Management and Development

Resources The resources available to the school are sufficient to sustain the school program and are effectively used to carry out the school's purpose and student achievement of the expected schoolwide learning results.

Resource Planning The governing authority and the school leadership execute responsible resource planning for the future.