New England Association of

Schools and Colleges

Commission on Public

Elementary and Middle Schools

The Accreditation Process

Steering CommitteeOrientation

SAU #17

Ode to a CommitteeO give me pity, I’m on a Committee,

Which means that from morning to night, We attend and amend, contend and defend,

Without a conclusion in sight.

We concur and confer, demur and defer,And reiterate all of our thoughts.

We revise the agenda with frequent addenda,Then consider a load of reports.

We compose and propose, suppose and oppose - The points of procedure are fun.

Though various notions are brought up by motions,There’s terrible little gets done.

We resolve and absolve, but never dissolve,Since it’s out of the question for us,

To bring our Committee to end like this dittyWhich stops with a period - thus.

T e a c h ing a nd L e a r ning S t a nd a r d s

M iss ion & E x pe c t a t ions

C ur r ic ulum

I nst r uc t ion A sse ssme nt

L e a d e r sh ip & O r ga niz a t ion

S c h ool R e sour c e s f or L e a r ning

C ommunit y R e sour c e s f or L e a r ning

S uppor t S t a nd a r d s

Steering Committee Responsibilities

• Oversee faculty driven process– Become familiar with self study materials and process– Develop the calendar/timelines– Appoint committees and chairs– Establish protocols for committee work– Develop editing process – Manage faculty meetings to approve reports– Prepare final report – Establish a public relations plan

• Control/Communicate/Celebrate• Develop spending plan• Plan and implement the team visit process• Maintain team spirit• Establish communications with NEASC• Finish the job!!!

Become Familiar With The Self Study Materials

• Know the Standards• Read the self study

materials• Look at a sample

report• Visualize your final

product

Develop Calendar and TimelinesPhase 1 (1-2 months)

Write Mission and Expectations

Phase 2 (3-4 months)

Begin School and Community Report

Begin learning area studies

Phase 3 (9-12 months)

Complete learning area studies

Begin Standards Reports

Phase 4 (3-4 months)

Complete Standards Reports

Prepare final report

Prepare for team visit

What Committees Will We Need? • Learning Areas

– Language Arts– Reading– Mathematics– Social Studies– Science– Art– Music– Physical

Education– Health– Technology– Other

• Standards Committees– School and

Community– Mission and

Expectations– Curriculum– Instruction– Assessment– Leadership and

Organization– School

Resources– Community

Resources

MeetingToday

The Self StudyWho Should Be Involved?

• Teachers• Administrators• Other building staff• Kids • Parents• Central office staff• Community members• Other stakeholders

Establish Protocols for Committees

• Select or elect chairpersons• Establish liaison procedures • Review standards• Provide orientation• Set expectations• Determine presentation format• Determine times and timelines• Address committee needs - time,

computers, disks, etc• Provide guidance/moral support

Develop Editing Process• Where is the talent?

– Technology talent– Grammar/mechanics talent– Writing talent– Big picture talent

• Establish formats and responsibilities

• Set parameters for committee work

• Understand the relationships between and among sections of the report

• Employ technology to your advantage

We edit because fallible human beings make

mistakes.

Whom Should We Keep Informed?

• Faculty• Principal• Parents• Community• School Board• Superintendent• Media

Next Steps

• Set calendar for steering committee meetings• Review Standards among yourselves• Invite faculty to choose learning area and

standard committees• Set up committees• Develop a timeline for the entire process• Establish liaisons with learning area

committees• Meet with committee chairs to set expectations

for their reports• Get it rolling!

What Should We Be Thinking About - Long Term?

• What will our self study look like?

• What material will we use as backup?

• What will be the plan of action for the team visit?

• How will we handle the follow-up?

What Do We Do If We’re Stuck?

Call CPEMS at

781-541-5426

Fax us at

781-271-0950or

e-mail at

dflynn@neasc.org