WASC For Charter Schools
Dr. David Brown
Executive Director
Dr. Lee Duncan
Associate Executive Director
Focus on Learning
 How are students achieving?
 Is the school doing everything
possible to support high
achievement for all of its
students?
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
2
What we will cover …….
 Procedures and Tips to help Charter
schools prepare for a “full” self-study
visit.
What we will NOT cover …….
 This presentation does NOT count as
your WASC training.
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
3
What to do first …….
 Attend WASC Trainings
 Establish contact your assigned chair
 Set up the initial visit
 Use the WASC website to gather information and
answer any question (www.acswasc.org)
 Get your teams together
 Leadership Team
 Home Groups
 Focus Groups
 Begin writing
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
4
Where to Begin?
Start with the End in Mind
 Identify your Critical areas of
Growth/Focus
 Identify your Strengths
 Begin writing your Self Study
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
5
Self Study
Chapter One
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
6
Self Study
Chapter Two
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
7
Self Study
Chapter Three
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
8
Self Study
Chapter Four
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
9
Self Study
Chapter Five
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
10
Essential Tools
 Previous Self-Study Report & VC
Report
 WASC website
Templates
Rubrics
A+
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
11
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
12
Easy as 1, 2, 3…
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
13
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
14
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
15
Accreditation Plus
 Private secure website to communicate with all of
your stakeholders and the WASC team
 Not a requirement, but a very helpful tool to you,
your staff and the visiting team.
 Cost $1,500 set up fee, then $500 per year.
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
16
What you need to know about your
visiting team
 They are your peers
 They are Volunteers
 They have experience with your
type of school
 They are very CREDITABLE
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
17
What you need to know about
preparation for the visit
 Everyone (i.e. all stakeholders) need to be involved
 Teachers
 Students
 Parents
 District Office Administrators
 Board Members
 Business Community
 Everyone!!!
 Have plenty of evidence for the visiting committee
 Be
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
18
What you need to know about the
needs of the Visiting Committee
 Healthy snacks
 Ample supplies
 Offer Clerical support

© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
19
What you need to know on the last
day of the visit
 The team will NOT let you know what
their recommendation for the term of
accreditation is
* Why?
- It is truly a recommendation
- It must be reviewed and approved
by the WASC Commission
 Be prepared to review the report at
lunch
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
20
What you need to know after the
team has left
Finalize your action plan
Be prepared to make 10
copies and send them to the
WASC office.
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
21
What you need to know when you
receive your official term of
accreditation.
Celebrate
Publicize
Questions
- Don’t hesitate to call the
chair
- There is a appeal process
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
22
Real Purpose of WASC Visit
To verify that you are providing a
excellent education to all of your
students in accordance with State
standards.
To help you celebrate your schools
strengths.
To identify your growth areas to enrich
student achievement.
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
23
Review Do’s
 Correspond with your chair quickly
and frequently
 Use your chair as a resource
 Involve EVERYONE!
 Keep your Action Plan alive
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
24
Review Don'ts
 Procrastinate
 Hesitate to ask questions
 Skip the WASC trainings
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
25
Questions?
Thank you for your
dedication in educating
our children!
© ACS WASC
WASC/CDE
26