Florida Catholic Conference Accreditation Program

Florida Catholic Conference Accreditation Program Mary Camp, FCC Associate Director for Accreditation

Florida Catholic Conference Accreditation Program Brief Background

School Improvement Plan (SIP) Second SIP • Annunciation • St. Bonaventure • Little Flower • St. Mary Cathedral • St. Ambrose • Basilica School of St. Mary Star of the Sea • St. John the Apostle First SIP

School Improvement Plan 6 Main Areas • School Profile • Mission and Belief • Desired Results for Student Learning • Analysis of Instructional & Organizational Effectiveness • Action Plan • Accreditation Standards Review

Accurate Account Data Analysis Student Performance Perceptions Strengths & Weaknesses Specific Measurable Goals to Document

SIP • First 4 Areas – doing research, collecting and analyzing data to get a complete picture of the school’s history, where it is now, and setting goals for future progress • Action Plans • Make the Goals concrete and measurable (ASSIST) • Analyze the data • Adjust the goals as needed

SIP – Steering Committee Role • Communication – continual communication about the process with all stakeholders • Training of school staff in the process • Consensus Building – continual communication between Area Committees, Steering Committee, and school staff to develop ownership of the entire process and final document Membership • Chairperson or Co-Chairs • Minimum of 4 other members (chairpersons of Committees for Areas 1-4)

SIP – Area Committees Two main parts the School Improvement Plan process: • The Process • The Report

Area 1: School Profile – Operational Vitality The Process • Administer the ADOM Survey • Review and update profile data from previous school improvement plan • The National Catholic Standards, Benchmarks, Rubrics, and Evidence to Review: Operational Vitality, paying particular attention to: 10.1-4, 10.6, 12.1, 13.1-3 • Determine the top 2 areas of strength and the top 2 opportunities for growth

STANDARDS(Commercial Break)

STANDARDS National Catholic Current FCCAP • Beliefs & Mission • School & Community • Program of Learning • Personnel • Administration • Learning Media Services • Pupil Services • School Plant & Facilities • Mission & Catholic Identity • Governance & Leadership • Academic Excellence • Operational Vitality

FCCAP The www.EAS-ed.org Web site is a very valuable resource. Under Resources you will find: Policies and Procedures Principles and Standards Visitation Manual News and Links provide information about our program, and connections to various education related Web sites. Login – Dashboard: Private Resources – Companion Payments ARCA

FCCAP Login – Dashboard: Need email address & password From the Dashboard you can see items in the EAS-Ed Management Box E-ARCA Previous E-ARCAs Payments Profile Private Resources FCC Companion Manual SIP Sample Calendar TYC Report Template Yearly Report Template www.EAS-ed.org

SIP – Area Committees(Back to Regularly Scheduled Programming)

Area 2: Vision, Mission, Belief, and Graduate at Graduation Statements and Catholic Identity The Process • Collaboratively update and/or create new statements • The National Catholic Standards, Benchmarks, Rubrics, and Evidence to Review: Mission and Catholic Identity, paying particular attention to: 2.4, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 • Analyze the results of the related questions from the ADOM Survey • Determine the top 2 areas of strength and the top 2 opportunities for growth

Area 3: Desired Results for Student Learning – Academic Excellence The Process • Analyze student performance data • The National Catholic Standards, Benchmarks, Rubrics, and Evidence to Review: Academic Excellence, paying particular attention to: 7.1-6, • Analyze the results of the related questions from the ADOM Survey • Determine the top 2 areas of strength and the top 2 opportunities for growth

Area 4: Analysis of Instructional & Organizational Effectiveness – Academic Excellence continued & Governance & Leadership The Process • Analyze instructional program data • The National Catholic Standards, Benchmarks, Rubrics, and Evidence to Review: Academic Excellence (second half of standard 7 and standard 8) and Governance and Leadership, paying particular attention to: 6.2, 7.7, 7.9, 7.10, 8.1, 8.3-5 • Analyze the results of the related questions from the ADOM Survey • Determine the top 2 areas of strength and the top 2 opportunities for growth

Area 5: Action Plan The Process • Review the work and results of the committees of Areas 1 through 4 • Using a collaborative process, determine the top three goals • Write an Action Plan for each of the three goals to include the Goals Statement, Evidence of success, Strategies to achieve the goal (including timeline, person responsible and resources)

Action Plan Goal Statement (includes specific audience, measurable change, and time frame) Evidence (List of evidence that will be used to document and evaluate the success of the goal) Strategy Timeline Person Responsible Resources Teachers will… Students will…

Administrator’s Responsibility • Area 6 – Compliance with Standards • Executive Summary • Performance & Progress Report (for 2nd Round SIP schools)

The SIP Report • Cover Page • Information Page • Table of Contents • Introductory Materials • Executive Summary • Performance and Progress Report (for schools completing this study for the second time) • Area Reports • Appendix

Visitation • ADOM verifies school readiness • Chairperson brokered by FCCAC • 2-3 Additional Team Members • Three day visit traditionally begins Wednesday afternoon with a school tour and Opening Event that evening. Thursday – meetings and observations. Friday is an early dismissal day and concludes with the Oral Exit Report around 1 pm. • Official Visitation Report approved by FCCAC

Visitation • ADOM verifies school readiness • File Check • SIP Book review • Review of Action Plans • Review of Standards

Preliminary Visit – Chair to School School’s Responsibility Chair’s Responsibility • Set date with chair (prelim takes place at least 1 month prior to the visitation) • Send SIP book well in advance of preliminary • Make arrangements for staff to be present • File Check Documents • Confirms date with school (prelim takes place at least 1 month prior to the visitation) • Read SIP thoroughly, preparing questions • Prepare schedule for preliminary visit and send to the school well in advance

Preliminary Visit Schedule • Arrival at School – around 8:00 a.m. • Meeting with Principal & Steering Committee Chair • Review SIP • Review previous Visitation Report • Review current and previous 2 years of ARCA’s • Prepare Visitation Schedule • Arrange for lodging • Arrange for work area, equipment, supplies, etc. • Obtain school schedule with arrival, dismissal, lunch, • Obtain floor plan of school

Preliminary Visit Schedule • Arrange for Voucher Forms for Team • Arrange for times and rooms for interviews and meetings • Review Personnel Credentials - Checklist • Meet with Pastor – procedures and importance of Visit • Tour School Facilities & Grounds • Call Diocesan Office – readiness of school for visit • Meet with Faculty at end of day – information regarding the Visitation: Team, schedule, questions, affirmation of SIP

Post Preliminary Visit School’s Responsibility Chair’s Responsibility • Send any necessary documents, revisions to the Chairperson as soon as possible • Send SIP to team members • Prepare for the visitation • Follow-up Letter to Principal –verification of schedule, reminder to send SIP to Team Members, copy of materials sent to Team • Letters to Team –schedule, assignments, travel arrangements to be sent to Chair and Principal, read SIP thoroughly and carefully

Visitation – Assignment for Team Members Member 1 Profile & Mission & Beliefs Operational Vitality and Mission and Catholic Identity Standards Interview – Religion Coor, & Pastor Member 2 Desired Results Academic Excellence Standards Interview – Guidance & Resource Chair: Effectiveness / Action Plan Governance and Leaderships Standards Interview – Technology & Media

Pre-Visitation Mailing to Team Members • Visitation Cover: Team Names & Addresses / Hotel • Visitation Schedule • Team Assignments • Schedule for Interviews and Meetings

Visitation – Day One – Sample • 11-12:00 p.m. Team arrives at Hotel • 12:30 p.m. Lunch for Team • 1:15 p.m. Team Orientation • 3:20 p.m. Meeting at School with Administration and Steering Committee • 4:20 p.m. Tour of School Facilities and Campus • 5:00 p.m. Dinner for Team and School Officials • 7:00 p.m. School Activity: Liturgical Prayer, Brief Introduction to Accreditation Program, School’s Presentation , Reception Keep dinner and presentation SIMPLE!

Visitation – Day One – Details Orientation of Team • Explain folder • Check names and spelling of Team • Review Schedule • Review Assignments • Standards Checklist / Area Guide Sheets • Classroom Visits • Review of Results of Preliminary Visit

Visitation – Day One – Details Guidelines for Administration / Steering Committee Meeting • Understand process and work on SIP • Clarify and ask questions about SIP • Ask about communication of process • Ask about difficulties / successes • Is school pleased with outcomes? Why? Why not? • Housekeeping / schedule details

Visitation – Opening Event • Begin with a Liturgical Prayer • Chairperson explains why the team is at the school • The School presents their executive summary, school profile, and mission and belief statements • PowerPoint presentation could be used • Students could be included • Stakeholders are invited • Short reception • Entire event no longer than one hour

Visitation – Day Two – Sample 7:30 a.m. Team Breakfast/Meeting 8:15 a.m. Meeting with Parents / Community Reps. 9:30 a.m. Meeting with Students 10:30 a.m. Classroom Observations / School Personnel Interviews 11:30 a.m. Team Meeting 12:00 p.p. Lunch 1:00 p.m. Classroom Observations/ School Personnel Interviews 2:00 p.m. Team Meeting

Visitation – Day Two – Sample 3:25 p.m. Meetings with Area Committees (1-4) 4:25 p.m. Meeting with Action Plan Committee (include administration, Steering Committee) 5:25 p.m. Team Debriefing 6:00 p.m. Adjournment 7:00 p.m. Dinner for Team Individual Work Sessions

Visitation – Day Two – Details Parent/Student Meetings • Meetings are confidential/ Take notes • 10-20 parents / 4th – 8th grade students (about 10-20) • Questions: • What influenced you in choosing this school? • If you could make changes what would they be and why? • What , in your words, is the Mission of the school? • What do you know of the SIP process and the Action Plan

Visitation – Day Two – Details Personnel Interviews • Describe your role and responsibilities. • What was your role in the process of the SIP? • How do you see your role in the implementation of the Action Plan?

Visitation – Day Two – Details Area Section Committee Meetings • Questions of clarification • Questions concerning process • Possible Focus Questions from NSSE Visiting Team Handbook • Suggestions for possible recommendations and why

Visitation – Day Three – Sample 7:30 a.m. Visiting Team Breakfast & Meeting 9:30 a.m. Meeting with Administration and Steering Committee 10:00 a.m. Team Work Session 12:00 p.m. Early Dismissal Bell for School 12:30p.m. Lunch for Visiting Team and Faculty 1:30 p.m. Oral Exit Report 2:30 p.m. Adjournment

Visitation – Day Three – Details Meeting with Administration / Steering Committee • Review Standards Checklist – ask questions about items not observed • Review Recommendations to SIP Process and Action Plan • Share comments from Parent and Student Meetings check for any clarifications

Visitation – Day Three – Details Team Work Sessions • Share consensually the Area Recommendations • Share consensually Standards Recommendations • Each Member hands in at least 1-2 commendations and recommendations for Areas and possible recommendations for Standards • Each Member signs the certificate page of the report • Preparation for Oral Report – “Talk it – do NOT Read it”!

Visitation – Day Three – Details Oral Exit Report • Gratitude for hospitality • Affirmation of work done on SIP • Brief update on importance of FCC Accreditation • Chairperson gives brief summary of comments from Parent and Student Meetings • Each Team Member gives a brief description of area, commendations and recommendations. • Chairperson summarizes work and implications for future -- re-accreditation comes from FCC Committee

Written Report • Outline in Visitation Manual • Introduction – include objectives of Visit, brief demographics, brief description of Visitation process, comments from Interview and Meetings, as well as uniqueness of school program.

Written Report • Executive Summary—comment, commendation, and recommendation on implementation of Recommendations to Standards and Process. • Performance and Progress Report—comment, commendation, and recommendation on implementation of Action Plan goals.

Written Report Area Reports– brief paragraph, 1-3 commendations and recommendations (Refer only to areas – not standards)

Written Report Area Recommendations must be specifically addressed to the process Ex. “The school profile should be updated annually.” “The priorities for improvement in student learning should be restated in clear, concise, measurable goals.”

Written Report Recommendations to Standards • Must relate specifically to standards • Standard deficiencies are listed first; the remainder are listed in order (A-3, F-2. etc.) • Use appropriate language, remembering that these are suggestions.

Written Report Recommendations: D-15 The school should implement a written, school-based program of professional development. G-1 The school should continue to enhance and delineate more clearly its written plan for counseling services.

Written Report Evaluation and Summary • Overall impression of the school • Intent to implement Action Plan • Written Report will be sent to FCC Accreditation Committee for review and granting of status • Statement of appreciation for hospitality

Written Report Certificate • Use Worksheets and Assessments to complete • Indicate Standards Deficiency • Obtain signatures of Team Members

Florida Catholic Conference Accreditation Program