High School Nears Halfway Mark in Accreditation Follow Up; Report Accepted

Post date: Jun 23, 2013 8:32:17 PM

In October 2009, Deer Isle-Stonington High School hosted its decennial reaccreditation visit and received continuing accreditation from the New England Association of School's and Colleges (NEASC) in March of 2010.

During the accreditation process, the greatest focus is almost always placed on the evaluation visit.  DISHS spent two years preparing for the 2009 evaluation visit.  However, the hardest work of the accreditation cycle occurs after the evaluation visit when schools must address the recommendations of the visiting team and NEASC.  DISHS has already submitted  special progress reports on February 1st, 2011 and January 2nd, 2013 as well as a two-year progress report on October 1st, 2011.

In its special progress report submitted in January, Deer Isle-Stonington High School  was asked to address four highlighted recommendations in depth:

• • review and revision of the school's core values, beliefs, and 21st century learning expectations through the strategic planning process currently underway,

  • completion of the formal vertical curriculum alignment process which is a major focus of the professional staff's in the current school year,

  • increased opportunities for all students in all classes to participate in higher order thinking,

  • implementation of the plan to address safety concerns related to the music modular.

DISHS received news that the special progress report was reviewed by NEASC and the school's accreditation was once again continued in a letter dated April 16th, 2013.  In the letter, NEASC highlighted several accomplishments of the school, including:

• • the participation of the staff in professional development designed to increase opportunities for all students in all classes to participate in higher order thinking,

  • the removal of the music program from the modular classroom to address safety concerns,

  • the participation of the teachers in professional development devoted to develop and align the curriculum,

  • the development of essential standards for each content area.

The next step in the accreditation process is the completion of the required five-year progress report, due March 1st, 2014.  In that report, the high school will need to demonstrate that all of the recommendations from the visiting committee's report in January 2010 are either completed or in the final stages of implementation.

The letter from NEASC, as well as all other documents related to DISHS's accreditation can be viewed on the school's website.  Future progress reports and communication with NEASC will also be posted to the same website.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the accreditation follow-up process, please do not hesitate to contact Principal Todd West (348-2303 x.11, toddwest@dishs.org).