Florida Association of Christian Colleges & Schools

Transcription

1 Florida Association of Christian Colleges & Schools Five Year Accreditation Report Charaline Luna, Ed.D. NCPSA Reviewer January 19, 2014 S T A N D A R D 1 Description of Accrediting Association Standard 1. The purpose and objectives are clearly defined within the multiple digital materials which encompass the vision the Association has for its future and all documentation used currently. There is a detailed scope of current operations which include description, geographic area within Florida, services to those outside of the immediate primary service area and through the International Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (FACCS/IACCS). FACCS/IACCS serve students from birth through grade 12 with impressive test scores annually above the national average provided by Pearson Summaries. Schools may be included in the Association through the co-accreditation process, as fully accredited members, or as candidates toward accreditation. FACCS/IACCS also encompasses schools which are not accredited and fall into the participant and/or member school category for Florida Religious Exemption, allowing them access to services such as the annual FACCS/IACCS Christian Educator s Convention, Teacher/Administrator Certification (in-house and through the State of Florida Bureau of Professional Education Certification PECD Program), Administrators Conference, Fine Arts, Creative Writing, Spelling Bee, Brain Bowl and other services, such as site training seminars, webinars, workshops & legislative services. Although the State of Florida may not directly recognize accrediting associations, FACCS/IACCS is listed in the Florida State Statutes as a umbrella agency for educational tax exemption, & indirectly recognized through its association with NCPSA, the Alliance, other regional agencies, and the Florida Association of Academic Non-Public Schools (FAANS). The depth and breadth of the public disclosure and the accuracy held therein is to be commended along with the qualifications and dedication of personnel from the Executive Director, Dr. Howard Burke and the Board of Directors to support staff. FACCS/IACCS is fiscally sound and has appropriate facilities to meet the needs of the Association. fully meet the NCPSA Standard

2 S T A N D A R D 2 Accreditation Policies and Procedures for the Association Standard 2. FACCS/IACCS has submitted all the appropriate forms within its multiple evaluative manuals used within all areas of the accreditation process by the Association. Furthermore, a written description of policies and procedures relating to the applicant review process, functions of commissions, and training of members via the Conventions and Administrative Conferences were stipulated in detail including sample PowerPoint presentations. The Association s selfstudy is to be commended on its depth, breadth, organization, and current information in relations to Florida, Federal and International laws or expectations. A complete description of site visits at all levels, the training of personnel, accreditation review process (all levels), appeal and complaint procedures, non-discrimination policies, and conflict of interest statements were clear, concise, and worthy of commendation. The accreditation policies and procedure are to be commended as it has incorporated a review process, best practices and maintains standards meeting current Florida legislative & State Departmental expectations, are educational research based, and meets the needs of the schools within the Association. fully meet the NCPSA Standard

3 S T A N D A R D 3 Educational and Association Effectiveness Standard 3. FACCS/IACCS has included written evidence that the Association s purposes and objectives are being met with impressive test scores above the national average from kindergarten through grade 12. The Association requires each accredited or pre-accredited school to meet standards, complete annual and substantive change reports, monitor membership growth, and offers conferences and workshops. The continued planning of the Association is worthy of note as it continues to bring Best Practices to its schools - including financial planning, as it prepares for the future, holding steadfast to its mission and philosophy. Documentation is appropriately maintained on each school along with substance changes and annual reports. fully meet the NCPSA Standard

4 S T A N D A R D 4 Current Accreditation Manual Standard 4. FACCS/IACCS current accreditation multiple manuals (Traditional, Early Childhood, Distance Learning and International) requires its schools to provide written evidence of the school s mission and philosophy; legal operations of the school to include statement of nondiscrimination, organizational structure, compliance of federal, state, and local regulations; crisis/emergency, health of students and staff; care and maintenance of facilities; adequate instructional materials, equipment, media and technology; and a school improvement plan. The school must demonstrate fiscal responsibility and management with attention to budgets, tuition/fees and clear refund policies, appropriate reporting and maintaining accurate budgetary information, and professional and resource development which meets standards and is appropriate to the school satisfying generally accepted accounting standards. The Association maintains standards towards the effectiveness of the school s curriculum and instructional program including materials, methodology, and program evaluation; technological opportunities for students and staff and improvement. FACCS/IACCS Standards reflect the requirements of written documentation and on-site validation relating to the qualifications and conditions of employment of administration, faulty, and support staff; appropriate employment policies and procedures; and the maintenance of personnel records each within the expectations of the Ethics in Education Act. Student policies and procedures are reflected in admissions, discipline and supervision, health, safety (crisis, emergency, & fire) and access; national standardized testing through Pearson and/or other appropriate assessment; student records and attendance, and student support services. Advertising and publications standards include legal and ethical considerations, statement of accreditation status, school publications, and correspondence, stipulated consumer protection materials that are required under Florida law. FACCS/IACCS is to be commended on the continuous support of its schools, materials and workshops made available which support educational excellence for its students through compliance of standards and school improvement. fully meet the NCPSA Standard

5 S U M M A R Y In summary upon examination of all submitted materials Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools and International Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (FACCS/IACCS) have fully met or exceeded all the NCPSA Standards. FACCS/IACCS is to be commended on its comprehensive presentation of materials, in its depth and breadth of materials, foresightedness into the continued vision of development for the future of the Association while maintaining the mission of the organization, proactive approach to school related legislative issues, and its professional approach in all areas of educational practices. Upon review of the new documents that were presented for review it must be noted that FACCS/IACCS has updated and presented revised offerings to its schools which include but are not limited to: Brain Bowl Options, High School & Junior High Fine Arts Programs, as well as Administrative Conferences and Seminars for Administrators and Teachers. The updated editions of a Guide to Evaluation and Accreditation of Christian Schools Manuals for Traditional Schools, Early Childhood Programs for Gold Seal Recognition, International and Distance Learning are complete, thorough and user friendly. As having been the facilitator at the last review which indeed was a sincere pleasure; it gives me a unique perspective to see the growth of this Association. It once again was a privilege to see the depth and breathe of true excellence under the guidance of its Executive Director, Dr. Howard Burke along with the Board of Directors and support staff. The Association continues to develop new and innovative programs encompassing new technology; continue to be in the forefront of legislative issues and seeking appropriate resolutions, which at times challenges us all, while remaining steadfast to its mission and philosophy. FINDING AND MOTION: AS A MEMBER OF THE STANDARDS AND REVIEW COMMITTEE, I MAKE THE FOLLOWING MOTION: Whereupon, examination of submitted materials and having determined that the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools and International Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (FACCS/IACCS) fully meets all the NCPSA Standards, it is my recommendation to the Standards and Review Committee that FACCS/IACCS be recognized for an additional five years. Respectfully submitted, Dr. Charaline Luna Charaline Luna, Ed.D. NCPSA Reviewer for FACCS January 19,

6 NCPSA SELF-STUDY CHECKLIST CHECKLIST E2: SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE SELF-STUDY SUMMARY Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools & IACCS Name of Accrediting Association PO Box Tallahassee, FL & 1429 Bethel Church Road Omega, GA Address Phone Dr. Howard G. Burke, Executive Director 19-Jan-14 Compiled by Date Indicate areas of SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE since last complete Self-Study, including those reported in Annual Reports. CHANGED NEW REMAINED SINCE LAST DOCUMENTS THE SAME REPORTING INCLUDED STANDARD STANDARD 1.0 DESCRIPTION OF ACCREDITING ASSOCIATION Y Y N Y N N/A 1.1 Purpose and Objectives Y Y N Y N N/A 1.2 Scope of Operations Y Y N Y N N/A Geographic Area Y Y N Y N N/A a) location of association headquarters Y Y N Y N N/A b) participating schools outside of the U.S. Y Y N Y N N/A Types and Grade Levels of Schools Y Y N Y N N/A a) home schools participating in accreditation Y Y N Y N N/A b) correspondence, satellite, nontraditional schools Y Y N Y N N/A Description of Accreditation/Pre-Accreditation Status Y Y N Y N N/A Other Programs and Activities Y Y N Y N N/A History Y Y N Y N N/A 1.3 Recognition, Memberships, and Relationships Y Y N Y N N/A 1.4 Public Disclosures and Publications Y Y N Y N N/A a) public relations flyers Y Y N Y N N/A b) key publications Y Y N Y N N/A 1.5 Personnel Y Y N Y N N/A Organization and Administration Y Y N Y N N/A a) Articles of Incorporation Y Y N Y N N/A b) legal governing body Y Y N Y N N/A Representatives Y Y N Y N N/A 1.6 Financial and Other Resources Y Y N Y N N/A Financial Resources Y Y N Y N N/A Use of Facilities Continued next page. CHECKLIST E2-0698, page 1

7 NCPSA SELF-STUDY CHECKLIST CHECKLIST E2: SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE SELF-STUDY SUMMARY Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools & IACCS Name of Accrediting Association CHANGED NEW REMAINED SINCE LAST DOCUMENTS THE SAME REPORTING INCLUDED STANDARD STANDARD 2.0 ACCREDITATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE ASSOCIATION Y Y N Y N N/A 2.1 Application Process Y Y N Y N N/A 2.2 Functions of Commissioners, Committee, etc. Y Y N Y N N/A 2.3 Training and Participation of Members Y Y N Y N N/A 2.4 Self-Study Y Y N Y N N/A 2.5 Site Visit Y Y N Y N N/A 2.6 Review and Application Y Y N Y N N/A 2.7 Appeal and Complaint Procedures Y Y N Y N N/A 2.8 Nondiscrimination Policies Y Y N Y N N/A 2.9 Review of Standards Y Y N Y N N/A 2.10 Conflicts of Interest STANDARD 3.0 EDUCATIONAL AND ASSOCIATION EFFECTIVENESS Y Y N Y N N/A 3.1 Effectiveness of Purposes and Objectives Y Y N Y N N/A 3.2 Planning (including strategic/master plan ) Y Y N Y N N/A 3.3 Accreditation Manual, Materials, and Training Y Y N Y N N/A 3.4 Annual or Periodic Reports Y Y N Y N N/A 3.5 Re-Evaluation Y Y N Y N N/A 3.6 Documentation and Records Y Y N Y N N/A 3.7 Substantive Change STANDARD 4.0 GUIDELINES TO BE USED BY ACCREDITING ASSOCIATIONS Y Y N Y N N/A 4.1 Mission and Purpose Y Y N Y N N/A 4.2 Administrative and Legal Operations Y Y N Y N N/A 4.3 Fiscal Management and Accountability Y Y N Y N N/A 4.4 Personnel (including qualifications ) Y Y N Y N N/A 4.5 Student Policies and Procedures Y Y N Y N N/A 4.6 Curriculum and Instructional Program Y Y N Y N N/A 4.7 Facilities and Equipment (including library/media center ) Y Y N Y N N/A 4.8 Student Support Services Y Y N Y N N/A 4.9 Advertising and Publications Charaline Luna, Ed.D. Coordinator 19-Jan-14 Date Commission Chair Date CHECKLIST E2-0698, page 2