Accreditation is a system of accountability. The accrediting agencies of AAS are highly regarded and widely considered the most robust agencies in their field. Ultimately, the accreditation process demands good practice in education while ensuring continuous improvement.
According to the Council of International Schools, accreditation shows that the school has achieved high standards of professional performance in international education and has a commitment to continuous improvement. In particular, CIS states that the award of accreditation demonstrates the following:
- The school is devoted to its Mission and Vision for Students, as expressed in its Guiding Statements. The school also adheres consistently to the CIS Code of Ethics for Member Schools;
- The school cares enough to seek validation from a recognised accreditation authority for the work it does for its students;
- The school focuses on the quality of teaching and the progress students make, their standards of achievement (in the broadest sense) as well as the students’ well-being;
- The school knows itself. It has thought deeply about the services it offers to students, family and community;
- The school is student-oriented. Its philosophy of education is suitable for the students on roll and encompasses the development of the whole individual;
- The school keeps its promises. It promises only what it can deliver;
- The school accepts objective assessment. It is prepared to open its doors periodically to regular evaluation by its own school community and by outside experienced practitioners;
- The school is constantly seeking to improve its performance in all areas in order to ensure it attains the desired learning outcomes for its students;
- The school strategically plans for the future. As part of the ongoing nature of the evaluation process, accredited schools are continually planning future developments CIS – Visit, Self-Study Outcome Letter Awarding Accreditation.
According to the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, accreditation is ongoing, voluntary, and comprehensive in scope. It respects differences in institutional populations, missions, and cultures, and fosters institutional change grounded in the judgment of practicing educators. It is based on standards which are developed and regularly reviewed by the members and which define the characteristics of good schools and colleges.
Accreditation with NEASC attests to
- Substantial compliance with established qualitative standards;
- Integrity in statements to the public describing the institution’s program;
- Institutional commitment to improvement;
- Sufficiency of institutional resources.
Accreditation with NEASC does not:
- Guarantee the experience of individual students;
- Guarantee the quality of specific programs;
- Compare or rank institutions.
In short, accreditation supports ongoing growth to create the highest quality learning experience for all students. The capacity of any organization to improve is directly related to its ability to recognize, acknowledge, and act on its identified strengths and limitations. It provides a sound process…
- For conducting an in-depth examination of the entire school – philosophy, purpose, Community, programs and services, facilities, and financial stability;
- To reassess our Mission, and to review the specific objectives we have for fulfilling our goals;
- To gather internal and external data to be used as a basis for school improvement, strategic Planning, restructuring, staff development, and setting appropriate priorities;
- To examine itself against research-based standards that reflect the essential elements of an effective school;
- To manage change through continuous assessment, planning, implementation, and reflection;
- NEASC – Visit, Self-Study Outcome Letter Awarding Accreditation.
