Paulding County School District Stakeholders Meeting

1. Paulding County School District Stakeholders Meeting October 8, 2012

2. Purpose • Share information with you about our upcoming District Accreditation, and your role in this process. • To revisit our Mission, Vision, Beliefs, and District Goals & Priorities. • To share our District Improvement Plan Initiatives. • To share District Wide Student Achievement Data and Goals for 2012-2013. • Gather feedback from you on each of these areas to assist us as we continue to finalize our plans for improvement.

3. What is Accreditation? • Accreditation is a voluntary method of quality assurance. • Accreditation is an ongoing process to ensure that schools: • meet high standards, • engage in continuous improvement, and • demonstrate quality assurance through external review.

4. Why does accreditation matter? School Districts that engage in AdvancED Accreditation will: • Earn the distinction of quality through AdvancED accreditation. • Receive external and objective validation of the areas in which they’re doing well, and the areas for continuous improvement. • Benefit from AdvancED research that shapes educational policy and improves learning practices. Students and their parents will: • Experience ease in transferring credits from one school to  another. • Gain greater access to federal loans, scholarships,  postsecondary education and military programs that require  students attend an accredited institution. • Benefit from their school district’s commitment to raising student performance and accountability.

5. What does the process look like? Conducted by District Employees Opportunities for Stakeholder Analysis Comprehensive & Continuous Effective Practice

6. What does the accreditation process involve? Both the District and each school will prepare and submit an Accreditation Comprehensive Report based on the following: • Self Assessment – We assess our performance on each of the Standards with a rating scale. • Executive Summary – We describe our district and tell about who we are. • Stakeholder Perception Surveys – We gather valid and reliable stakeholder perception data to assist us with the continuous improvement process • Student Performance Results - We analyze the results of multiple assessments to measure growth and improvement in student performance. • Assurances – We verify a set of certification statements related to the policies and procedures of AdvancED accreditation.

7. District & School Responsibilities • Develop District & School Improvement Plans • Analyze Student Performance Data • Administer Stakeholder Surveys • Analyze Stakeholder Perception Data • Complete Self Assessment Reports based on the 5 Standards of Quality • Collect artifacts and evidence to support the content of the Self Assessment • Interview with the External Review Team • Host the Visiting Team (8-10 schools)

8. Stakeholder Responsibilities • Participate in the Accreditation/Improvement Process • Provide feedback on district and school initiatives • Be available for interviews by the External Review Team

9. What will the External Review include? • Classroom Observations • Documentation Review • Self Assessments • Stakeholder Survey Results • Student Performance Data • Other documentation • Interviews with various stakeholders • Feedback from team on improvement plans or a Required Action reflective of the needs of the district/school and its students

10. Steps to Accreditation Step 1: School & District Preparation • Internal review with staff and stakeholders • Completion of Self Assessments, Executive Summary, Stakeholder Surveys, Student Performance Data, and Improvement Plans • August 2012 – September 2013 Step 2: Quality Assurance Review Team Visit • Conducts interviews with representative groups of stakeholders • Review of Student Performance Data & District Documentation • Deliberation to reach consensus on the district’s adherence to the Standards for Accreditation • Provides an oral exit report and prepares a QAR Team Report • October 6-9, 2013

11. Components & Processes Step 3: The Quality Assurance Review Team Report • The QAR Report is submitted to the school district with commendations and required actions for improvement. Step 4: Using the Report • The school district uses the report to guide improvement efforts. The district is held accountable for addressing the required actions in the report. • The district must submit a progress report to reflects its actions towards the required actions. Step 5: Accreditation Recommendation • The QAR Team makes an accreditation recommendation that is reviewed at the state level and by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission. Accreditation is granted and communicated to the school district.

12. Tonight’s Task: • To revisit our Mission, Vision, Beliefs, and District Goals & Priorities. • To share our District Improvement Plan Priorities, Strategies and Action Steps. • To share District Wide Student Achievement Data and Goals for 2012-2013. • Gather feedback from you on each of these areas to assist us as we continue to finalize our plans for improvement.

13. Mission & Vision • The mission of the Paulding County School District is to prepare all students for success in the 21st century. • The vision of the Paulding County School District is to provide a safe, healthy, supportive environment focused on learning and committed to high academic achievement. Through the shared responsibility of all stakeholders, students will be prepared as lifelong learners and participating, contributing members of our dynamic and diverse community.

14. District Improvement Plan • The District Improvement Plan shows how our District work supports the work of each of our schools. • SMART Goals – Student Achievement Targets • Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Result-based, Time-Bound • 3 Priorities for Improvement - based on Student Achievement Data • Increase Student Achievement in Math Achievement • Increase Student Achievement in all Subgroups • Increase Student Achievement Trends K-12

15. Student Achievement Data • Student Achievement Data tells us where we are, and assists us in developing new targets and goals. • Drives our improvement plans and initiatives. • Used to develop SMART Goals and identify trends.

16. Museum Walk • Just as you would walk through a museum and reflect upon pieces of art, we ask that you walk around the room and reflect upon each of these essential areas as part of our district improvement process. • There will be Facilitators at each “station” to give you a brief overview of the document you will be reviewing. Please ask questions and provide us with any feedback and suggestions you may have. • Feel free to move from “station to station” as you see fit. We will all begin at one, then you may choose to spend more time at one that another. Gauge your time so you are sure to get around to each station. • After no more than 40 minutes, we will then pull back together and the Facilitators will summarize the information that was gathered.

17. Station Numbers • Mission, Vision, & Beliefs – Brian Otott, Associate Superintendent • Increasing Achievement in Subgroups – Michele Sayles, Exec. Dir. of ESEP • Improving Math Achievement – Susan Browning, Exec. Dir. for Curriculum and Operations 6-12 • Increasing Student Achievement Trends Across K-12 – Bonnie Cochran, Exec. Director for Curriculum and Operations K-5 • Student Achievement Data – Yvette Hill, Assistant Superintendent

18. Closing • Facilitator Summaries • Next Steps: • We will review your feedback and questions as we work to revisit and finalize our plans for improvement. • We will continue to bring plans, initiatives, and updates to you for your review and feedback. • Next Meeting:February 4, 2013 at 6:30 pm Location TBD

19. Thank you in for your participation and support in our improvement process!