WASC Words
Spring 2024 Newsletter
Chairperson's Update
Odie J. Douglas, WASC Commission Chairperson
Welcome to Spring 2024!
We are extremely grateful and appreciative of the over 5,500 WASC accredited schools that work exceptionally hard, across the globe, to provide a quality learning experience for ALL students to achieve academic success. We applaud the many individuals who provide phenomenal service and resources in the capacities listed below.
WASC accredited schools using the Focus on Learning process to facilitate continuous schoolwide improvement efforts.
Dedicated members and chairs of visiting committees visiting schools and preparing reports.
Representative WASC Commissioners from both private and public schools reviewing and providing feedback on school accreditation.
Creative and talented WASC staff members providing quality customer service and outstanding support to our schools and their respective institutions.
Together, we are making a positive impact on preparing our youngsters to be college and career ready. Thanks for a job well done!
President's Update
Barry R. Groves, President
The chairperson of the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Odie Douglas, has announced the development of a strategic plan for the organization covering the fiscal years 2025 to 2029. This plan sets forth goals and strategies aimed at guiding resource allocation and enhancing the delivery of core services as well as expanding into key geographical areas.
Over the recent years, WASC has bolstered its financial reserves, upgraded its technology systems, and strategically positioned staff to streamline operations. The creation of the strategic plan was preceded by an organizational assessment and stakeholder feedback, including a comprehensive survey of staff and commissioners conducted in October 2023.
The feedback led to the identification of four primary goals: ensuring organizational excellence, championing high accreditation standards, expanding membership, and delivering outstanding customer service.
Chairperson Douglas expressed gratitude for the community's active involvement in the planning process and looks forward to collaboratively achieving these objectives in the coming years.
Promoting Academic Success for ALL Students in WASC Accredited Schools Through Effective Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Practices
Odie J. Douglas, WASC Commission Chairperson
According to our WASC Equity Statement, the institutions participating in the WASC self-study process that successfully address issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion (DEI) have several practices and strategies in common. They include:
An overt commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion that is demonstrated by clear mission/vision/core value statements/goals and shared broadly among governing board members, faculty, staff, students, and families.
A thorough and honest review of a wide range of disaggregated data results that include academic performance, language proficiency, discipline, attendance, dropout and graduation rates, involvement in co/extracurricular activities, special education classification, and access to student services.
A commitment to changing the practices, policies, systems, and structures that contribute to the disparities they find between student groups and measuring the impact on student learning and well-being.
In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, the recognition and prioritization of DEI have become paramount. Schools are not merely institutions of learning, but environments where students cultivate their identities, perspectives, and sense of belonging. Thus, it's imperative for educators, families, and community members to understand and actively support these principles to ensure every student's academic success, both now and in their future endeavors.
Listed below are several key points, supported by educational research, that emphasize leveraging the focus on learning accreditation process through the systemic use of DEI practices. These areas can further increase student achievement and close/eliminate the opportunity gap.
Click here to read the entire article.
Alternative Education
Nancy Brownell, Vice President, Educational Partnerships
The WASC Focus on Learning process is a continuous school improvement method that assists schools in evaluating their effectiveness and identifying areas for improvement. WASC collaborates with the California Department of Education (CDE) and acknowledges the existence of alternative schools and programs within districts and counties. Alternative schools of choice are defined by education code, serving specific purposes and having distinct requirements. Juvenile court schools provide education for incarcerated juveniles under county probation departments.
Recognizing the unique needs of alternative education and incarcerated students, WASC is revising the accreditation criteria to better align with alternative education goals and programs. Additionally, many smaller district and county-operated programs, including independent study, continuation, and court schools, fall under the same alternative education leadership. To address the needs and priorities of these schools, WASC has combined report writing and visits, collaborating with County Offices of Education (COEs) with successful outcomes reported in the 2023-24 pilot schools as well as developing plans to combine the accreditation cycles for alternative programs going forward.
WASC Conference: Excellence Unleashed: Leading the Future with New and Exciting Perspectives
WASC is excited to host the inaugural "Excellence Unleashed" conference on October 1, 2024, from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm at the On the Greens Conference Center on the Navy Golf Course in Cypress, CA. Excellence Unleashed is one of the many ways WASC is sharing and celebrating innovation in education. This high-energy learning event, hosting 300 educators from across California, and representing a collective impact on more than 150,000 students, will bring together enthusiastic people seeking inspiration and cutting-edge ideas for school improvement and the opportunity to collaborate with experts.
Conference attendees will hear from a variety of presenters as they explore strategies to cultivate a seamless and streamlined accreditation process that promotes inclusive, collaborative practices, and high-quality methods. These approaches promote a sense of understanding and collaboration on behalf of faculty, staff, parents, and students. The highlight of the day will be an informative panel led by Dr. Marilyn George, of successful administrators and teachers, each representing the diverse types of schools served through WASC. Additionally, we are proud to be honoring long-time serving members for their service to WASC. We want to honor and thank our members for educating the students of California. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided and there is no fee for this event. Visit the Conference page on the WASC website for more information.
Due to overwhelming response, the Excellence Unleashed conference is currently full and registration has been closed. If you are interested in being added to the waitlist, please register here. You will be notified should a spot become available.
Connecting the Dots of Accreditation: Leadership, Coherence, and Continuous Improvement
If you are preparing for an accreditation visit, we suggest considering our publication on the value of accreditation, Connecting the Dots of Accreditation: Leadership, Coherence, and Continuous Improvement. It is a valuable resource for the accreditation process. The book is available for $25 on Amazon.com, and all proceeds are reinvested into WASC.
David S. Brown, Previous WASC Executive Director
With great sadness, WASC announces the passing of previous WASC Executive Director Dr. David E. Brown. Dr. Brown passed away on December 16, 2023 in Napa, CA. He served as the WASC executive director from 2003 through 2013 and was admired by all. Our condolences to the family.
WASC has lost a good friend, colleague, and professional leader. Dr. David Brown served as the WASC Executive Director with kindness, compassion, and with a good heart toward schools, visiting committees and, most definitely, toward the entire WASC community. His smile and good humor lightened everyone’s workload and his dedication to the accreditation process was first and foremost to ensure all students were receiving a quality education. His support and presence will be sorely missed by one and all. Click here to read his obituary.
Sylvia Taylor, WASC Training Coordinator
We are very sad to report the passing of Sylvia Taylor on February 25, 2024. Sylvia suffered a massive stroke in October and was never able to fully recover. Sylvia worked with WASC since 1994, first in the Burlingame Office and more recently she worked remotely from her home in Fallon, Nevada. Sylvia was the training coordinator at WASC for many years. She will be missed by all.
Funeral arrangements are being planned, and specific dates have not yet been confirmed. Sylvia's sister, Linda, suggested making donations to the Stroke Association, https://www.stroke.org/ in Sylvia’s honor. If you would like to send flowers, please address them to: Linda Janok, 1918 Albert Street, Fallon, NV 89406. Click here to access reflections from some of her coworkers.
ARRAY Global Educational Services
The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) is delighted to announce a new cooperative agreement with ARRAY Global Educational Services, a leader in educational standards and development. This groundbreaking partnership aims to extend their accreditation services to educational institutions around the globe.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of enhancing educational quality worldwide. Through this partnership, ACS WASC and ARRAY Global will combine their expertise and resources to establish a unified accreditation process that adheres to the highest standards of educational excellence.
COBIS Partnership
WASC has recently entered into a partnership with the British Council of International Schools (COBIS), which jointly recognizes each other’s accreditation schemes.
As part of this partnership, COBIS will recognize WASC accredited schools as a route to COBIS membership, and WASC will recognize schools that have completed COBIS Compliance or COBIS Accreditation as being eligible for WASC candidacy or accreditation.
Fireside Chats
WASC's Vice President of International Accreditation, Dr. Margaret Alvarez, hosted three virtual Fireside Chats on November 21, 2023, March 11, 2024, and April 16, 2024.
The November chat featured Dr. Stephen Holmes and included an overview of school branding, building, enhancing, and protecting a school’s reputation, and strategic planning from a reputation management perspective.
The March chat featured Dawn Rock, International Consultant, WASC; David Chadwell, Associate Head of School for Teaching and Learning, Saigon South International School, Vietnam; and Dr Rolly Maiquez, Director of Educational Technology and Data, Verso International School, Thailand. The March Fireside Chat recording can be accessed here: WASC Fireside Chat – AI in Accreditation. WASC has a video, "Leveraging AI in Accreditation," which addresses using AI as an additional resource for schools working on accreditation reports.
The April chat, From Reactive to Proactive: Transforming Your Approach to Risk, Technology, and AI," featured Mark Orchison of 9ine and was a follow-up to the previous AI conversation.
Testimonials
Thank you to Chris Raymaakers, principal of The Winstedt School in Singapore, for sharing the benefits of WASC accreditation from a school leader perspective. He highlights the WASC personalized approach, reflection process, and positive school community outcomes. Click here to watch his full testimonial.
We would love to hear from you! Share your experience with WASC and be featured on our website and social media pages. Submit your testimonial in either video or written format. Please also include a photo of yourself and/or your school, if available.
Submit your testimonial here: https://forms.gle/Wozt2uLiXZkW5w5G6
Thank you!