The Institute regularly reviews the Accreditation Guidelines and recommends possible changes. The changes were based on a few guiding principles: that the Internal Evaluation process be meaningful, reflective and collaborative.
The following process was followed to create the Accreditation Guidelines 2007:
- The Internal Evaluation Guidelines and the Visiting Committee Handbook, published in 2000, were combined into one document called Accreditation Guidelines Version 2007
- The Standards Council met six times to discuss revisions to the report
- The Executive Director met with various individuals and groups to reflect on the contents of the Standards including the following areas: Development, Communication, Admissions, Academic Program, Technology, Risk Management and Boarding
- Various American and European Accreditation Associations were consulted, including the Virginia Association of Independent Schools, Council for International Schools, Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools, and the New England Association of Independent Schools. Additionally, the NAIS Principles of Good Practice and Model Core Standards were consulted
- The final report was reviewed and approved by the CESI Board of Directors on June 28, 2007.
The following changes have been made to the 2005 Version and are reflected in Accreditation Guidelines 2007:
- All Guiding Questions have been organized and numbered according to the Standard and Effective Practice for easier reference
- Some questions have been either added, revised or eliminated so as to clarify expectations or eliminate requests for repetitive information
- Additional Effective practices have been added to reflect changes in educational practices and operations
- “Standard 11: Commitment to School Improvement” was created
- Each section concludes with a list of Documents and a Standard Summary
- A “Residential Program” Standard was added.
This draft document will be piloted and revised from September to December 2007. At the Annual General Meeting in January 2008, the Accreditation Guidelines will be presented for approval. As of February 2008, all schools that are beginning the Internal Evaluation Process will be asked to use the new guidelines.
Thank you to those who contributed to revising the document and to the Standards Council for their leadership.
