WASC Words International
Spring Newsletter
Empowering Schools through Personalized Excellence
by Dawn Rock, WASC International Consultant
At WASC, we are committed to excellence in worldwide accreditation through personalized support. As a consultant, I find this approach to be professionally gratifying and the most effective approach to affect positive change in schools. Emphasizing personalized service provides me the opportunity to collaborate closely with each school, tailoring my approach to suit their unique needs. This customized strategy not only ensures effectiveness but also leads to a more profound and enduring impact. Recently I conducted a specialized training session on the fundamentals of WASC accreditation for a small school that was seeking accreditation for the first time. Recognizing the specific needs of this school, we delved deeply into a discussion about schoolwide learner outcomes. Our focus extended beyond the basics, exploring how these outcomes could articulate the school's purpose by envisioning a well-educated, healthy, and morally grounded student which would then serve as a northstar to guide their improvement processes. This tailored approach not only met the school's immediate requirements but also laid the foundation for lasting positive change. Read entire article here.
WASC's Innovative Approach to Global Collaboration and Personalized Support
by Natalie Merritt, WASC International Consultant
We continue the theme of personalized support sharing ways in which WASC promotes collaboration and engagement amongst its global partners.
In August 2021, WASC soft-launched a platform for community engagement through the sharing of resources, promoting of WASC-led events, and launching discussion-topics for interested parties. WASC would like to take this opportunity to thank those involved in the soft launch for their engagement and valuable feedback. As our network of international schools continues to expand, WASC is actively seeking and developing opportunities to personalize its support, catering to international schools new to accreditation and schools whose partnership with WASC accreditation extends over 6 decades. Read entire article here.
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 Chat
WASC's Vice President of International Accreditation, Dr. Margaret Alvarez, hosted two additional virtual Fireside Chats on November 21, 2023 and March 11, 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 also has a video, "Leveraging AI in Accreditation," which addresses using AI as an additional resource for schools working on accreditation reports.
Please register here if you would like to be added to the ongoing conversation we will be hosting on our Basecamp message boards. Recordings of these events are available in Basecamp and on the School Portal. Keep an eye out for future Fireside Chats in the coming months.
EARCOS Teachers Conference 2024
WASC will be at the 19th Annual EARCOS Teachers’ Conference in Bangkok, Thailand on March 20-23, 2024. Join our pre-conference training seminars on March 20 or drop by our table to chat with our international staff. For questions or registration for the training seminars, please contact internationaltraining@acswasc.org.
WASC Winter Commission Meeting: San Diego
The Winter Commission Meeting was held in San Diego at the end of January. Dinner was held at Tom Ham's Lighthouse. Commissioners reviewed and voted on 296 accreditation actions during the meeting. WASC added 24 newly accredited international and 78 domestic schools.
The Spring Commission Meeting will be held in Burlingame, CA from April 29-30.
Kang Chiao International School WASC Visit
The Kang Chiao International School, located in Taiwan, visited the WASC office in February as part of their California educational trip. Their group consisted of DAA Director Yahsin Chang, Academy Director Angel Chen, Curriculum Coordinator Joseph Lu, staff members, and teachers.
International Training Schedule
Our trainings for the school year are posted to the training calendar. Please log in to the School and Member Portals to register.
If you have any questions about upcoming trainings or registration, please contact internationaltraining@acswasc.org or Elissa Watters at ewatters@acswasc.org.
Connecting the Dots of Accreditation: Leadership, Coherence, and Continuous Improvement
For more on WASC accreditation, look for the recent book “Connecting the Dots of Accreditation: Leadership, Coherence, and Continuous Improvement” authored by Dr. Barry Groves and Dr. Marilyn George. It is available through WASC or on Amazon.
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.
Sylvia Taylor, WASC Training Coordinator
We are sad to report the recent passing of Sylvia Taylor on February 25, 2024. 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.
Sylvia suffered a massive stroke in October and was never able to fully recover. Funeral arrangements are currently 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. To access reflections from some of her coworkers, please click on the following link: https://www.smore.com/n/urqk1.
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!