Top Five Weakness FOR SCHOOLS OFFERING INTENSIVE ENGLISH PROGRAMS (IEP)

The Data

Top five most commonly sited weaknesses were determined based on the past six completed accreditation cycles (December 2013-August 2015).

This included: 125 team reports (61 of which were main campuses)

79 reaccreditation visits

46 initial accreditation visits

#1 Standard III.B – Financial Procedures (64.0% - 80/125)

Refund policy not compliant with ACCET Document 31.ESL

No Refund calculation worksheet completed

Incorrect refund calculations made

Late refunds

Separation of duties

Refund Request Form

Now What?

How to respond to team report weakness:

Revise the Policy

Evidence of staff training

Evidence of implementation….

No refunds to show? – provide a hypothetical

How to ensure compliance:

Review ACCET Document 31.ESL

Know your state refund policy (if licensed by the state)

Complete a Refund Calculation worksheet for EVERY STUDENT who withdraws or drops

What to do today?

“ESL Program Refund Policies” Breakout Session

3pm-4:15 in Starlight West

#2 VIII.A – Student Progress (60.0% - 75/125)

Student Progress policy not compliant with ACCET Document 18.IEP Qualitative and Quantitative

Timeframes for evaluation

Individualized Learning Plans

Appeals Process

36 month maximum

Now What?

How to respond to team report weakness:

Revision to Policy

Evidence of staff training

Evidence of implementation

Provide student grade reports/warning/letters/termination notices/learning plans/appeals

How to ensure compliance

Document 18.IEP and Document 18.1.IEP

What to do today?

“Don’t SAP Your Students’ Spirit: Giving Effective Feedback for Student Success”

10:30am-11:45 in Starlight West

#3 VIII.B – Attendance (58.4% - 73/125)

Attendance Policy not complaint with ACCET Document 35

No tardy or early departure policy

Multiple attendance policies

Make-up Work

Leave of Absence

Vacation

Now What?

How to respond to team report weakness:

Revision to Policy

Evidence of staff training

Evidence of implementation

Provide attendance reports/warning/letters/termination notices

How to ensure compliance:

Review ACCET Document 35

Audit attendance records

What to do today?

Review Call for Comment on the ACCET website (accet.org); specifically, proposed changes to ACCET Document 35

#4 IV.C – Performance Measures (44.8% - 56/125)

Standardized/Consistently applied assessment system is not implemented across instructors

No Rubrics (participation)

“A valid and reliable test instrument that is nationally recognized is also used for an external validation on the acquisition of language proficiency, at a minimum, in fulfillment of the institution's exit requirements.” – ACCET Field Specific Criteria

Initial Placement test does not align with objectives of the program/level

Now What?

How to respond to team report weakness:

Revision to Policy, tests, rubrics,

Evidence of staff/instructor training

Evidence of implementation

Provide rubrics, completed grade reports, exit tests, placement tests – completed and analyzed!

How to ensure compliance:

Review Standard IV.C and your faculty handbook

Faculty Meeting In-Service

What to do today?

Review Call for Comment on the ACCET website (accet.org); specifically, proposed changes to ACCET Document 3.ESOL (ASER template)

#5 VI.A – Qualifications of Instructional Personnel

(33.6% - 42/125) ACCET Criteria

(1) a bachelor’s degree of three months of full-time equivalent ESL or foreign language classroom teaching experience

or (2) a bachelor’s degree along with a certificate in teaching ESL or a foreign language, that includes a practice teaching component

Near Native Fluency

Written Requirements

Now What?

How to respond to team report weakness:

Revised requirements

Evidence of implementation

Faculty change / additional training

How to ensure compliance:

Review all faculty qualifications

Hire qualified applicants

What to do today?

High Five your qualified teachers

The Good News

Most Common Strengths:

VII.D – Student Services

VI.C – Instructor Orientation and Training

V.A – Instructional Methods

II.B – Operational Management

II.F – Professional Relationships