Presented by: Jenni Hurner (Seattle Jewish Community School) Susan Bauska (Annie Wright Schools) Chaya Keefe (NWAIS)

1. Self Study Coordinators’ Workshop Hamlin Robinson School October 10, 2013 Presented by: Jenni Hurner (Seattle Jewish Community School) Susan Bauska (Annie Wright Schools) • Chaya Keefe (NWAIS)

2. Introductions Who are you? Where are you in the process? Have you done a Self Study before? Have you been on a Visiting Team before? What do you hope to learn today? (Write on index card) Your logo here

3. What We’ll Cover Today How do we Prepare for the Self Study and the Accreditation Visit? Why Accreditation? Overview of NWAIS Accreditation Benefits of NWAIS Accreditation The new Self Study Accreditation Standards Self Study Purpose & Outcomes Role of the Self Study Coordinator Getting Started Forming Committees Promoting self-reflection & ongoing improvement Keeping Track: Timelines & Surveys Writing, revising & compiling the Report The Visit Your logo here

4. Accreditation Overview **New Self Study Standards and Indicators** Your logo here

5. NWAIS Accreditation Benefits • Independent, non-governmental validation of quality education to recognize credibility • Ensures compliance with NWAIS Core Values & Key Characteristics • Promotes planning, rigor, reflection, inclusivity & collaboration • Peer review ; sharing of ideas & best practices • Commitment to ongoing school improvement • Ensures schools have adequate resources, staffing, leadership & structures in place for the future • Promotes collegialitywithin and outside the school • Ensures viable, sustainableschool Your logo here

6. ‘New’ Accreditation Standards NWAIS Self Study Process School Mission School Program School Culture Commitment to Diversity Institutional Leadership Finance Administration Institutional Advancement Enrollment Management Human Resources School Plant Health and Safety Residential Program (if applicable) • Less redundancy • NAIS review • More reflection • Feedback Your logo here

7. Understanding Standards and Indicators • School Culture • STANDARD : The school has an intentional culture, which supports the school’s mission and NWAIS’ core value of free and open inquiry. • Indicator 1: There is an intentional school culture. • Indicator 2: There is a strong correlation between the stated mission of the school and the culture that exists in the school • Indicator 3: The school’s culture promotes free and open inquiry. Your logo here

8. Understanding Standards and Indicators • School Culture • STANDARD : The school has an intentional culture, which supports the school’s mission and NWAIS’ core value of free and open inquiry. • Indicator 1: There is an intentional school culture. • Indicator 2: There is a strong correlation between the stated mission of the school and the culture that exists in the school • Indicator 3: The school’s culture promotes free and open inquiry. Schools must meet all standards to receive accreditation *Recommendations and Conditions* Your logo here

9. Past reasons for conditions • Lack of Board planning documents • Financial issues • Lack of congruence between mission/program • Lack of evidence of free and open inquiry • Insufficient administrative structure • Safety or risk management issues • Inadequate school facilities

10. Ideal Outcome for Self Study Process Development of a comprehensive, concise, and constructive document that serves as a tool for promoting self reflection and ongoing school improvement Your logo here

11. Shape the Self Study to your School • Celebrate your school’s culture & values; no two self-studies are alike, just as no two schools are alike • Reflect, reflect, reflect • Highlight areas to focus on for the future • Promote communication and transparency within your school • Create a “living document” that may be used as part of of the school’s long-term planning and assessment process • Enjoy the time as a school community to focus on a collaborativeprocess Your logo here

12. Who is responsible for all this work? The Self Study Coordinator(s), with support and participation from the … Head of School Board Faculty & Staff Parents Students Alumni

13. The Self Study Coordinator (Jenni & Susan) What makes a great self study coordinator? • Enthusiasm for the process • Organizational skills • Credibility in the school community • Writing and editing skills • Time management skills • Ability to see a project through to its completion • Ability to work well with head of school and other stakeholders

14. Three Major Elements • Lofty: Reflection, coming together, inclusivity, politics of it all, dialogue conversation • Document what you learn: Writing the self study • Nuts ‘n’ Bolts: Keeping track, timetables, gather documents logistics… =>Like a braid…These elements weave throughout the process…

15. Coordinator’s Responsibilities The NWAIS Accreditation Manual outlines Self Study Coordinator responsibilities • Work with Head to… • establish timetables & deadlines • educate the community about the process • establish the committee structure • Oversee the survey process • Collect, review, edit, design, compile the report • Oversee the logistics for the Visiting Team

16. Start with the Mission • Review with the entire school community • Board members • Parents • Faculty • Staff • Students • Administrators • Alums • Does the mission still reflect our school? • How is it foundational to what we do? • Do we need to modify? • How well is the mission understood throughout the school community?

17. Organize • Familiarize yourself with the Self Study and Accreditation Manual • Workshop materials on NWAIS website • Collaborate with peers at other NWAIS schools • Divide committees according to Standards & track assignments

18. Committee Structure & Membership • Inclusive • Expertise • Diversity of roles, perspectives, and work styles. Consider including… • Board members • Parents • Faculty • Staff • Students • Administrators • Alums • Resident Outsiders

19. Promoting self reflection… ~Breakout time~ • Ideas for how to promote reflection at your school… • Share best practices… • Ideas for generating enthusiasm for the process…

20. Keeping Track who’s in charge? (other details) NWAIS Standard who else helps?

21. Surveys • What are options? Examples include: • Survey Monkey • Zoomerang • Survey sample questions for available on NWAIS website: • Students • Faculty • Parents • Community • Faculty Staff Start the surveys early… • Select survey tool(s) and methods • Administer • Analyze • Discuss findings with school community • Format & incorporate into Self Study

22. Integrating Survey Data into Committee Discussions Surveys & Data integration include the entire school community • Board members • Parents • Faculty • Staff • Students • Administrators • Alums

23. The Writing of the Report • Collaborate • Format the Report • Use technology – Some use Google Docs, consider permissions • Write so the Self Study is… • helpful for your school • clear for the visiting team • Facilitate the writing, editing, & compilation

24. Revision, Editing and Compilation…Takes Time • Committee revision • Peer Review • Committee feedback • Technology consideration • Edit • Formatting • Voice – is it consistent? • Spelling/ grammatical errors • Organizational clarity • Compile the study • Designing for school pride • Publishing • Gather & compile the required documents & appendices (listed at the end of each Standard)

25. Finished with Self Study Coordinator Role Questions? After lunch…a brief overview of Preparing for the Accreditation Visit

26. Role of the Visiting Team Evaluate and establish congruence between the self study and what the team observes during the visit

27. The Preliminary Visit • The Team Chair and Vice Chair will visit school several months prior to the actual visit • Consider logistics of the visit during this time • Lodging, Food, Transportation, Directions • Team member reimbursement • Private, secure space for team to work • Technology requirements (Mac, PC, support) • Meeting times & places with constituencies

28. Preparing the faculty & staff for the Visit • Important to communicate expectations… • The visiting team is looking for alignment with the Self Study – not looking to critique individual teaching styles • The team will move very quickly and will not have much time to spend with each person • Everyone should be ready to attend the opening reception on Day 1 of the Visit (See visit schedule in Self Study manual)

29. During the Visit Welcome packets Nametags Technology needs Office supplies Schedules Required documents Food

30. Questions?

31. Administrative Questions • Manuals & handouts on NWAIS website www.nwais.org/accreditation resources • Self study coordinators listserv • 5 continuing education credits (see Chaya)