Founded Standards and Indicators for the Accreditation of Online Academies

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1 Introduction Founded 1885 New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Independent Schools (CIS) Commission on American and International Schools Abroad (CAISA) Standards and for the Accreditation of Online Academies The Commission on Independent Schools (CIS) and the Commission on American and International Schools Abroad (CAISA) have developed standards and indicators for the accreditation of online Academies. This reflects the rapid growth of online education and the concomitant call for quality control. The accreditation process, adapted specifically to assess key aspects of supplemental online learning programs and their providers, is an effective way to ensure that students participating in such programs benefit from instructional methodologies, assessments, skills development, and content aligned with best educational practices and research. Process The following steps must be successfully completed for an online Academy to become and remain accredited: Step 1 Eligibility: The Academy submits an application to NEASC. If the application is accepted, the provider/academy becomes eligible for accreditation by NEASC. Eligibility requirements include the stipulation that faculty teaching online courses offered by the Academy either hold positions at accredited educational institutions or were formerly employed by accredited educational institutions. Step 2 Preliminary Visit: The Academy prepares Preliminary Visit documentation and hosts (and assumes costs for) a one- or two-day visit at the Academy s office headquarters. This visit, which takes place within 3 months of being granted eligibility status, is designed to: o Assess the extent to which the Academy is aligned with the Standards for Accreditation o Gain a sense of the Academy s commitment to self-reflection and improvement o o Gauge the Academy s capacity for conducting a comprehensive Self-Study Agree on a timeline for completing the Self-Study and hosting an Accreditation Visit (see below) Upon approval from the Preliminary Visit team members, the Academy will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status.

2 Step 3 Self-Study: The Academy is expected to conduct a Self-Study and perform an in-depth, self-reflective analysis of its mission, governance structure, academic program, resources, faculty, leadership, and assessment practices. This analysis will be informed by data gained from surveys administered to the Academy s member schools and to students who have enrolled in online courses. All staff, leadership, and members of the Academy s governing body are involved in preparing and contributing to the Self-Study. NEASC recommends that the Self-Study be completed within 6-8 months following the Preliminary Visit. Step 4 Accreditation Visit: The Academy submits the Self-Study (and supporting documentation) and hosts (and assumes costs for) an Accreditation Visit by a team of three or four NEASC-appointed visitors for 3-4 days. The visitors will meet with the Academy s leadership, staff, and governance representatives to: o Validate the Academy s Self-Study conclusions o Identify areas of positive alignment with the Standards for Accreditation and highlight areas in need of improvement or further development o Arrive at a recommendation with respect to the Academy s accreditation status The Accreditation Visit team will submit its report and recommendation on accreditation to NEASC immediately following the visit. After the report has been reviewed and edited by NEASC, the Academy will receive a copy of it. Step 5 Accreditation Status: NEASC reviews the Accreditation Visit report and makes one of four possible decisions: o To award accreditation and membership in NEASC o To award accreditation with certain, specified qualifications o To postpone/defer accreditation o To withhold/deny accreditation In the event of an adverse decision (e.g. postponement or denial of accreditation), the Academy may file an appeal. Step 6 Follow-Up: o Within 1 Year: Within one year of the accreditation decision, the Academy prepares a document responding to the Accreditation Visit report s recommendations and itemizing any actions taken. o At 3 Years: An interim report charting further progress in implementing recommendations and, more importantly, reflecting on challenges and opportunities anticipated in the future must be submitted to NEASC three years after initial accreditation was awarded. A one-person visit to the Academy s offices may be scheduled at NEASC s discretion. o At 5 Years: Five years after receiving initial accreditation, the reaccreditation/continued accreditation cycle resumes with Step 2 Preliminary Visit above. If, in the opinion of NEASC, serious questions arise about the Academy s ability to sustain its programs in a manner consistent with the Standards for Accreditation, NEASC may require additional special reports, schedule special visits, place the Academy on probation or, in extreme circumstances, terminate accreditation and membership in NEASC. The Academy

3 retains the right of appeal in the event of an adverse accreditation action (e.g. probation or termination of accreditation/membership). Fees The fee schedule below is in effect during the 2013/14 academic year, but is subject to change in subsequent years. Accreditation Fees 2013/14 Online Providers/Academies Application (one-time) $ 1,300 Candidate (one-time) $ 3,000 Membership (annual) $ 4,000 Preliminary Visit $ 2,500 (plus visitor expenses) Team Visit $ 4,000 (plus visitor expenses) Special Visits $ 2,000 (plus visitor expenses) Special Reports $ 750 Preamble to Standards and Accreditation of an institution by NEASC indicates that it meets or exceeds NEASC standards and criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied through a peer group review process. An accredited Academy is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation. The accreditation process is predicated on the expectation that the Academy is fully committed to institutional improvement. As such, it must: Complete a comprehensive Self-Study, conducted in a spirit of full disclosure and involving administrators, professional staff, and governance members Participate in a peer review process by hosting an Accreditation Visit Develop a plan for acting on areas in need of attention and recommendations as identified in its own Self-Study and in the Accreditation Visit team report Meet all Standards for Accreditation if the Academy is found not to be in compliance with one or more standards, the Commissions will set a date by which the standard(s) must be met if the Academy is to retain its accreditation The Commissions have established indicators for each standard that represent best practices. Academies are encouraged to meet these indicators and should respond to each of them. Academies are also welcome to submit other data and information to document their alignment with the standards.

4 Standards and Standard 1 Mission There is congruence between the Academy s stated mission and core values and its actual program, policies, planning, and decision-making at both the operational and governance levels. 1a. An educational mission and vision defines and directs the Academy s purpose, planning, programs, and decision-making. 1b. The mission statement is reviewed periodically, using a process that involves representatives of member schools, as appropriate. 1c. The Academy s procedures for admitting schools and/or students to its online services are aligned with its mission and vision. 1d. The Academy s online courses are compatible with its mission and vision. Standard 2 Governance The Academy has an appropriate system of governance that assures that the Academy remains true to its mission and has the necessary resources to support its present and prospective operations. 2a. The Academy s governance and leadership provide sound direction, continuity of leadership, and effective support. 2b. The Academy s policies, procedures, and practices ensure consistency and operational effectiveness. 2c. The Academy has a defined program for the evaluation and supervision of administrators. 2d. The legal status of the Academy is clearly defined with no ambiguities in ownership, control, and responsibility. 2e. The Academy engages in strategic thinking designed to ensure its long-term viability.

5 Standard 3 Program Program planning is informed by relevant research regarding how students learn and the knowledge and capacities they will need to lead purposeful and constructive lives. 3a. The Academy has a quality control system in place that assures online courses reflect best practices in course design, content, assessment, and delivery. 3b. The Academy has procedures, policies, and/or systems in place that safeguard the authenticity and integrity of online learning. 3c. Online teaching practices reflect an understanding of the different ways in which students learn. 3d. The Academy evaluates the academic rigor, effectiveness, and integrity of online courses that it offers. 3e. The Academy monitors that the design and delivery of online courses meet the needs of the students. 3f. The Academy supports a high degree of student-to-student and student-toteacher interaction. Standard 4 Resources Given the online Academy s mission, there are adequate resources (equipment, technology, and materials) to support the program. 4a. The Academy has a technology plan that coordinates academic and administrative functions, and articulates projects needs and future directions. 4b. The Academy s technical infrastructure, management system, and resources ensure the efficient and effective delivery of its programs.

6 Standard 5 Faculty There is a sufficient number of appropriately qualified faculty to carry out the mission of the Academy, and the Academy follows a comprehensive and defined program of professional development that supports continued enhancement of teachers skills. 5a. The Academy recruits, trains, and appoints faculty that possess the qualifications, competencies, and personal qualities essential to delivering effective online teaching programs. 5b. The Academy s policies and guidelines establish clear performance expectations for its faculty. 5c. The Academy provides feedback to and appraises its faculty in accordance with clearly articulated performance criteria and standards of excellence. 5d. The Academy provides professional development designed to equip its faculty with the expertise and competence necessary to deliver online courses that result in effective learning. Standard 6 Administration The administration provides leadership and maintains a structure to facilitate the effective functioning of the Academy, including the participation of member schools in decision-making. 6a. The administration is effective in carrying out the program of the Academy and the policies established by the governing body. 6b. The Academy s financial management is consistent with best financial practice. 6c. A collaborative relationship and effective communication exists between the Academy and its member schools. 6d. The administration involves member schools in decision-making about the program.

7 Standard 7 Evaluation and Assessment The Academy engages in programmatic assessment consistent with fulfilling its mission and core values. This data is used to inform decision-making and planning. 7a. The Academy regularly assesses the impact of online teaching strategies on student performance and achievement. 7b. The Academy systematically records and analyzes student performance, achievement, and engagement and uses the data obtained to review, revise, and adapt its online courses. 7c. The Academy regularly solicits feedback from member schools and participating students to inform course offerings, pedagogy, and future design.