New England Association of Schools & Colleges
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Accreditation of public secondary schools by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges indicates that the educational institution has conducted a self-evaluation of all of its programs and hosted a visiting committee to evaluate the institution in terms of its own stated educational goals and the seven Standards for Accreditation of the Commission on Public Secondary Schools.
The awarding of accreditation signifies that the school has met Commission Standards at an acceptable level and is willing to both maintain those Standards and to improve its educational program by implementing the recommendations of the visiting committee and the Commission. Continued accreditation is dependent upon a school demonstrating ongoing, reflective progress to improve teaching and learning and the support of teaching and learning.
Membership in and accreditation by the NEASC is similar to membership in professional organizations such as the American Bar Association and the American Medical Association. In each case, a commitment toward continual self-evaluation, a pledge to self-improvement, and a desire to maintain the Standards for Accreditation are necessary.
Each member school and its community support this mission by:
engaging in a self-study process and hosting an evaluation committee to assess the degree to which it is achieving the Commission's Standards for Accreditation
committing to an ongoing follow-up process that includes implementing all valid recommendations and continuing effective educational practices
The Commission on Public Secondary Schools accomplishes this by:
developing Standards of Accreditation that identify and foster best educational practices
reviewing and determining each school's accreditation status based on its achievement of the Standards for Accreditation
supporting each member school's ongoing improvement process by recommending and monitoring the implementation of educational practices
providing member schools with opportunities for professional staff development on CPSS visiting and other committees
modeling a culture of self-reflection, collaboration, and inquiry by involving member schools in the review of Commission Standards and practices in the accreditation process
utilizing information derived from member schools to inform the public about the quality of public secondary education
engaging in collaborative alliances with professional and other associations to enhance the work of the Commission, promote the quality of education, and support member schools