The Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) announced today that 101 schools and school systems in 12 states, as well as Puerto Rico and 14 other countries, have earned accreditation or reaccreditation, the gold standard for measuring and advancing school improvement.
“The Middle States Association is pleased to recognize our newly accredited and reaccredited schools for their achievements and for their commitment to continuous growth and improvement,” said Lisa Marie McCauley, Ed.D., president of MSA-CESS. “We also want to recognize each and every one of our member schools for continuing to do all they can to ensure their students receive a quality education at a time when the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted life around the globe.”
Middle States accredits preK-12 public, private, parochial, and charter schools. In addition, MSA-CESS accredits non-degree granting career and technical post-secondary institutions, special purpose schools, supplementary education centers, learning services providers, and distance education institutions.
Middle States accreditation is a multifaceted evaluation process that schools and school systems voluntarily use to demonstrate they are meeting a defined set of research-based performance standards. The 12 Middle States Standards for Accreditation are: mission; governance and leadership; school improvement planning; finances; facilities; school organization and staff; health and safety; educational program; assessment and evidence of student learning; student services; student life and activities, and information resources.
The accreditation process begins with a self-study that is conducted by the school or school system and requires input from school leaders, teachers, parents and students. Following the self-study, a team of volunteer educators from Middle States member schools conducts an on-site peer review visit to observe school operations and interview various stakeholders.
The visiting team makes its recommendation to the Middle States Association Commissions, which voted at its biannual meeting this week. The meeting was held virtually because of the coronavirus.
A full list of schools and school systems that earned accreditation or reaccreditation is available here.
