In March 2006, Unalaska City School District completed the Accreditation Process of the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges with the Review Response Team Visit in Mid-March.
This team consisted of Mr. Rich Carlson, past President of the Alaska State Committee and Superintendent of Klawock School District, who chaired the Team. Ms. Liz Boario, Assistant Professor at the University of Alaska-Anchorage and former Superintendent of Sand Point, and Barbara Thompson, Director of the Division of Teaching Support for the Alaska Department of Education.
The team reviewed U.C.S.D.'s School Improvement Process Self Study and a variety of data including test scores, curriculum and other important aspects of the District.
WHAT IS ACCREDITATION?
Accreditation is a results-oriented process that emerges from a comprehensive self-study that has been conducted by Unalaska City School District. The evaluation serves as a basis for assessment of school effectiveness, a structure for organizing evaluation efforts, and an impetus for mobilizing improvement efforts.
Essentially, through the Accreditation process, educators, and other members of the Unalaska school community, seek answers to these fundamental questions:
· What are the particular needs and strengths of this community and its students?
· What is the mission of this school and its philosophy of education?
· What are students expected to learn and be able to do, and what levels of performance does this school/community deem as acceptable?
· How effective are the instructional methodologies and organizational systems of this school in fulfilling its mission?
· What steps should be taken to improve the educational program of this school?
1. The development of a student/community profile;
2. The development of a school mission statement that reflects locally derived beliefs;
3. The identification of desired learner results;
4. The analysis of instructional and organizational effectiveness;
5. The development and implementation of a school improvement plan.
Schools that are improving are making a conscientious effort to become more effective schools. Essentially, an effective school can be defined as one where the primary focus is on high achievement, and where there is equal opportunity for all students. The goal of being accredited is not simply acknowledgment that a school has met prescribed standards, but also that a school is an improving school, or an effective school in terms of the performance of all the students.
