NEASC International Accreditation Improving Schools Empowering Students Promoting

NEASC International Accreditation Improving Schools. Empowering Students. Promoting Excellence. An Introduction November 2020 NEASC-CIE • www. neasc. org/international

Who we are NEASC is an independent, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization which connects and serves over 1500 public, independent, and international schools in the US and worldwide. Founded in 1885, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) has been working to establish and maintain high standards for all levels of education longer than any other accreditation agency in the United States. A globally recognized standard of excellence, NEASC Accreditation attests to a school's high quality and integrity. NEASC is made up of three Commissions: Independent Schools (NEASC-CIS) Public Schools (NEASC-CPS) International Education (NEASC-CIE) NEASC-CIE • www. neasc. org/international

NEASC-CIE works with international schools in over 80 countries around the world: members, candidates, and schools just beginning their accreditation journey. NEASC-CIE • www. neasc. org/international

Why Accreditation? • Accountability • On-site evaluation • Best Practices/current research • Parent assurance • Brand reputation • Personalized approach • Continuous improvement • Principles and Standards • External validation • Professional Network • Government/Ministry mandate • Reflection • Inspiration • Learner-focused • Marketplace recognition • Peer review • Self-Awareness • Teacher recruitment • Transformation • University acceptance NEASC-CIE • www. neasc. org/international

Understanding the Shift NEASC-CIE • www. neasc. org/international

Understanding the Shift Four scenarios for the future of schooling (OECD, 2020) NEASC-CIE • www. neasc. org/international

NEASC’s Approach to Accreditation • Ensuring safety, sustainability and effectiveness • Focusing on student-centered, personalized learning with increased learner agency • Routinely achieving and measuring transformational impacts on its learners • Elevating growth and future-oriented thinking beyond achievement • Creating an inclusive, diverse and welcoming environment • Encouraging multiple, global perspectives The future of education looks in good hands through this transformational process. -- Visiting Team feedback survey NEASC-CIE • www. neasc. org/international

Keys steps in the accreditation journey Application submitted; approved Foundation Standards Phase • Report by school • 2 -day Visit by one Visitor • “Eligibility” Pathway confirmed by NEASC/CIE Preparatory Phase • Report by school • 3 -day visit by two Visitors • “Candidacy” Internal Reflection by school • 9 -14 months • Report by school External Review Visit • 6 -day visit by 4 -6 Visitors • Report • “Accreditation” Annual Update required NEASC-CIE • www. neasc. org/international

ACE Learning Protocol The protocol encompasses two distinct parts: FOUNDATION STANDARDS the basic building blocks necessary for a school to function successfully LEARNING PRINCIPLES a framework for deep conversations about effective learning ACE is the first guide I see for school innovation and the first document that inspires educators while working on school improvement. -- Visiting Team feedback survey NEASC-CIE • www. neasc. org/international

Foundation Standards 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Learning Structure Organizational Structure Health, Safety, and Security Finance, Facilities, and Resources Ethical Practice Boarding/Residential Program ACE Learning isn’t the easiest accreditation I’ve participated in, but it was the most beneficial. -- Mark Lentz, Head of School/CEO, GAAQ, Qatar NEASC-CIE • www. neasc. org/international

ACE Learning Principles 1. Learning Goals 2. Dimensions of Learning 3. Assessment for, of, and as Learning 4. Learning Perspectives 5. Learner Engagement and Autonomy 6. Research and Reflection on Learning 7. Inclusiveness of Learning 8. Governance and Leadership for Learning 9. Learning Space and Time 10. Learning Community I love that the ACE focus is on the learner and learning – measuring the things that matter. -- Visiting Team feedback survey NEASC-CIE • www. neasc. org/international

Capacity Conceptual Understanding The 4 C’s NEASC-CIE • www. neasc. org/international

Developmental Continuum Drawings courtesy of Bonn International School, Grade 1 NEASC-CIE • www. neasc. org/international

Member Voices A school coordinator’s perspective The ACE Protocol is an opportunity for learning communities to shift learning into impacts and focus less on outcomes, to instill life-long learning skills and prepare learners for a better future. Guided by learning principles, impacts become predictable and can be clearly assessed. ACE makes learning flexible, it opens the door to explore the unfamiliar and think not only out of the box but as if, there is no box. We rarely witness a system where learners are partners in their own learning and where learning moves from answers to proposed questions into creating questions that are based on learner’s passion and interest. Accreditation Coordinator - Lebanon NEASC-CIE • www. neasc. org/international

Member Voices A teacher’s perspective Thank you all very much for developing a new sort of outlook upon accreditation and continuous growth and development for schools. This by far the best I have seen yet. I agree with it philosophically as an educator and would honestly only want to work at a school now that is accredited through NEASC with the ACE protocol. It is a stamp not of approval, but of recognition of a vibrant learning community that wants to grow and develop and truly help prepare us all for the future. Shelly Love, Instructional Math Coach and Gifted Program Coordinator, The Metropolitan School of Panama NEASC-CIE • www. neasc. org/international

NEASC International Accreditation Improving Schools. Empowering Students. Promoting Excellence. An Introduction November 2020 NEASC-CIE • www. neasc. org/international