The school shall have a statement of purpose which reflects the beliefs and values of educators, parents, students, and community members. It shall include clearly articulated and high expectations for student performance in both academic and social areas as well as for school performance. Expectations for students shall serve to guide the entire school program and shall be the basis for curriculum and instructional decision-making within the school and for short and long-range planning. The school's statement of purpose and student expectations e compatible with the district's statement of purpose and shall be approved by both the faculty of the school and the district's governing body.
There shall be ongoing and regular review of the schools' statement of purpose so that it remains a dynamic document to address students needs, community expectations and the operation of all school programs. The statement of purpose shall be communicated to the students, parents, school, and community. It shall be supported bad implemented by the faculty, support staff and administration.
The curriculum, which includes both the program of students and student activities, shall be the formalized plan to fulfill the school's statement of purpose. It shall be diversified and balanced and designed to assist students to reach articulated levels of performance in all learning areas.
Adequate time, financial resources, and personnel shall be committee to curriculum development, improvement of instruction, and assessment of student performance. There shall be effective curricular coordination and articulation between and among all academic areas within the school as well as with sending schools in the district.
Student assessment data shall be utilized in the curriculum development and evaluation process, in the review of instructional strategies and practices, and in the planning of staff development programs designed to improve instruction.
Instructional strategies and practices shall be consistent with the school's statement of purpose and shall reflect current research in teaching and learning. These strategies and practices shall be varied and appropriate and shall engage students in progressively higher order thinking activities. The use of appropriate technology shall be incorporated in all areas of instruction. Teacher supervision and evaluation process shall be used to improve instruction.
There shall be adequate financial support to provide instructional materials, equipment and supplies consistent with the written curriculum.
Student support services shall be designed to enable each student to participate in and benefit from the educational programs within the school. Student support services personnel shall work cooperatively with other professional and support staff to address the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of students.
There shall be adequate resources to provide appropriate programs and services to address the developmental needs of all students. These resources shall include, but not be limited to, certified and/or licensed professional personnel, adequate materials, and community agencies and resources, as appropriate.
The school's student support services and programs shall includes a range of guidance and health services, personal counseling, and access to referral options both inside and outside the school system. The roles and responsibilities of all personnel shall be clearly defined in writing. Student services personnel shall be provided opportunities to participate in staff development activities appropriate to their role. All programs for student support services shall be systematically evaluated and revised, as appropriate, on a regular basis.
There shall be a system of effective and ongoing communications with students, parents and school personnel designed to keep them informed about and involved in the delivery of student support services.
The assigned facilities shall be appropriate and accessible to students and shall ensure privacy and confidentiality. The school shall apply appropriate technology to enhance the delivery of student support services. Student records shall be maintained in a confidential and secure manner, consistent with federal and state law.
The school shall have a library technology and media services program that is fully integrated into the school's curriculum and instructional program and consistent with the school's statement of purpose. This program shall foster independent inquiry by enabling student and faculty to utilize various information resources and technologies.
There shall be certified media personnel and support staff, as appropriate, who are assigned to work collaboratively with other school personnel to ensure that the use of technology and media information resources is part of the instructional program and strategies used within and among learning areas.
A wide range of materials and information resources in a variety of formats from both within and outside the school shall be available for use by students, faculty and support staff. The library technology and media services program shall reflect current developments in the use and application of learning technology. Materials and equipment shall be adequate, properly maintained, catalogued, and replaced when appropriate. Professional development opportunities for media personnel and the school's support staff and faculty shall be in place to support the media program. Student, faculty, and support staff shall have regular and frequent access to the facilities and media programs as an integral part of their educational experience.
The administration, faculty and support staff shall be sufficient in number and appropriately certified both to help ensure the attainment of the school's statement of purpose and to meet effectively the needs of all students. There shall be sufficient staff and financial support to ensure safe student transportation, maintenance of the facility and grounds, appropriate food services, adequate health/nursing support and necessary clerical service.
Although accountable to higher authority, the school's administration shall have the responsibility, autonomy, and authority necessary to provide effective leadership within the school. The organizational structure of the school shall include appropriate personnel to support ongoing curriculum and instructional improvement to ensure the formal supervision and evaluation of all personnel.
There shall be an adequately funded and effective program to provide professional in-service and staff development programs to address identified curricular and instructional needs.
The administration, faculty and support staff shall be involved actively in decision making related to curriculum, instruction, planning, and school operations. They shall have appropriate input into the development of the master schedule and school procedures. Members of the administration, faculty and support staff shall be appropriately accessible to students and parents.
The work of the administration and faculty shall reflect collegiality, effective communications, and an empathetic understanding of student needs. Administration, faculty and support staff shall have high educational expectations for themselves and their students. There shall be cooperative relationships among the school board, central office, the school administration, faculty and support staff.
Written school board policies shall be available to all school personnel to guide the operation of the school. Written policies and procedures shall clarify the roles and responsibilities of the administration, faculty and support staff.
Appropriate administrative and personnel records, as well as appropriate school records, shall be maintained by the school administration, consistent with federal and state law and local policy.
The school site, plant and equipment shall support and enhance all aspects of the educational program of the school and shall be maintained to ensure an environment that is healthy and safe for all occupants.
There shall be a planned and adequately funded program of building and site management that ensures the maintenance and repair of facilities and equipment as well as thorough and routine cleaning of the facility. There shall be ongoing planning to address future facility and space needs as well as needed capital improvement.
The physical plant and facilities shall meet all applicable federal and state law and be in compliance with local first, health and safety regulations. Proper documentation shall be on file indicating the school's compliance in these areas.
There shall be effective, ongoing, and comprehensive interaction and communication with the community for the purpose of enlisting support for school programs and activities.
The school and its governing body shall have a planned program to encourage the involvement of community members in the school and its programs. This involvement shall include, but not be limited to, active community participation in school activities and in he development of school-community partnerships which enhance and promotes the school's educational programs and services. The school's administration, faculty, and support staff shall demonstrate an ongoing commitment to parent involvement and partnership in school activities.
The district's governing body shall formulate educational policy and support the roles and responsibilities of the administration in implementing that policy. This governing body shall also seek to solicit and promote appropriate community involvement in strategic planning and in the development of educational policy.
The community and the district's governing body shall ensure and adequate and dependable source of revenue to provide and maintain appropriate school programs, personnel, services, facilities, equipment, technological support, materials, and supplies for all students served by the school.
Faculty and building administrators shall have active involvement in the budgetary process, including its development and implementation.
The administration, faculty, and support staff shall provide a safe and orderly environment within the school. School rules and standards for behavior shall be reasonable, clearly articulated, and enforced fairly.
The climate of the school shall be positive, respectful, and supportive, resulting in a sense of price and ownership. All students shall be valued as unique individuals who are encouraged to learn and to achieve to their higher potential. The education, personal growth and well-being of all students shall be the primary concern of the school.
There shall be open and active communication among members of the school community who shall support, acknowledge and recognize one another's accomplishments. Students, parents and members of the community school shall feel comfortable and accepted at the school.
The school shall identify specific criteria for assessing student and school performance and shall utilize appropriate and varied methods to assess this performance.
There shall be a system in place whereby assessment results are interpreted and reported to the community in an understandable manner. These results shall be used regularly to assess the effectiveness of the school's curriculum and instructional practices, and to develop strategies for improving student learning.
There shall be identified school personnel with adequate time and resources who are responsible for ensuring that the assessment process is implemented and that assessment results are reported and used in the evaluation of curriculum and instruction.
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Last update on 29-Mar-99 at 9:31 PM.
http://www.orol.org/schools/orhs/orgs/accreditation/neasc_standards.html
This page is edited by David K. Taylor. Please send questions or comments to editor@orol.org.