-Introducing AdvancED

-AdvancED Benefits and Standards Books Mailed

-A Message from the CEO

-A Message from the President

-Breakthrough School Improvement Series Assists Schools

-State Conferences across the Country

Introducing AdvancED

Advancing Excellence in Education Worldwide

The North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), and National Study of School Evaluation (NSSE) have come together to form one strong and unified organization dedicated to advancing excellence in education through accreditation, research, and professional services. 

Known as AdvancED, the unified organization creates the world’s largest education community, representing over 23,000 public and private schools and districts in 30 states and 65 countries and serving over 15 million students. Through AdvancED, NSSE will continue to provide research-based products and services that support schools, districts and students worldwide. 

Schools and districts will find that the unification will deliver enhanced resources, tools and services to help them maximize and sustain student success.  Schools and districts will enjoy such benefits as:

• High-quality, research-based standards that cross state, regional, and national boundaries; and that are directly focused on the factors that impact student learning
• A broader base and array of research-based products and services designed to help schools and districts with their continuous improvement efforts
• The largest education network that can be tapped for shared best practices
• Expanded professional services including workshops, audit services, consulting, and conferences aimed at helping schools and districts improve student performance
• A commitment to a higher quality standard of service to schools and school districts that will be immediately evidenced through nationally certified team chairs trained to deliver the highest quality service and review to schools and districts

To learn more about AdvancED, visit www.advanc-ed.org.

AdvancED Benefits and Standards Books Mailed

Schools and districts should be receiving AdvancED introduction packages in the mail, which include Discover the Benefits of AdvancED and AdvancED Accreditation Standards for Quality Schools.  These booklets will not only introduce you to the new organization, but also will provide a look at the AdvancED Standards for 2007-08 and valuable information on benefits and services available to you.

A Message from the CEO

On April 2, 2006, the governing boards of NCA CASI, SACS CASI and unanimously voted, with enthusiasm, to create AdvancED, the parent organization for NCA CASI, SACS CASI, and NSSE.  The creation of AdvancED changes the landscape and work of accreditation and school improvement for the 21st century.

Our service and dedication to our collective missions is embodied by the unification of our three organizations.  AdvancED is committed to supporting and helping schools and school systems maximize student success.  We are committed to bringing forward ideas, tools, and solutions through the AdvancED Resource Network.  With your continued support and commitment we are building the world's largest education community.

The unification responds to a global environment characterized by a highly mobile population that wants access to quality learning experiences anytime, anywhere.  AdvancED removes the lines on a map as barriers to our work.  It connects students, parents, teachers, and educational leaders beyond the borders of our classrooms, our schools, our communities, and our nation.

As we unify and lead globally through AdvancED, you can expect us to act and serve locally in the best interest of your school and community.  With the support of over 18,000 volunteers worldwide, we will continue to provide technical assistance, peer review, and high quality professional development.  We invite you to continue the journey of advancing excellence in education worldwide.

Dr. Mark A. Elgart

A Message from the President

As this new school year begins, the AdvancED Board of Trustees would like to extend its appreciation to the thousands of volunteers who contribute their time, energy and expertise to moving our mission forward.  These volunteers include our state committees/councils, state specialists/ambassadors, visiting team chairs and evaluation team members, as well as our Board of Trustees and those of you who serve on various committees within our organization.  Your contributions assist in helping good schools and districts become better schools and districts on behalf of the 15 million students our accredited schools serve.  We thank you for all you do.

Dr. Kenneth F. Gose

Breakthrough School Improvement Series Assists Schools in

Achieving Faster and Greater Results in Student Performance

AdvancED, through its research and development division, the National Study of School Evaluation (NSSE), announces the release of the Breakthrough School Improvement Series. Breakthrough School Improvement is a systemic, research-based, data driven process to help schools maximize student performance. This series of publications, ready-to-distribute surveys, and electronic products illustrates a continuous improvement process that produces greater and faster results than conventional methods. The series includes:

• Breakthrough School Improvement: An Action Guide
• Breakthrough School Improvement: Resources and Tools
• Data Readiness Survey
• Inventory of School Effectiveness
• Survey of Implementation
• Survey of Beliefs
• School Improvement Planner

The Technical Guide to School and District Factors Impacting Student Learning highlights the research-based practices and organizational conditions shown to impact student performance, and is available, free of charge, on the NSSE website. For more information about Breakthrough School Improvement products, contact NSSE, a division of AdvancED, at 800-THE-NSSE (800.843.6773) or visit the online store at www.nsse.org.

Conferences across the Country

Through the unification, AdvancED will offer two national conferences.  The 2006 SACS CASI Annual Conference will be held December 9-11 in Atlanta, GA.  For details and to register, visit www.sacscasi.org/Events.

The 2007 NCA CASI Annual Conference will be offered April 1-4 in Chicago, IL. Details will be available at www.ncacasi.org in the coming months.

Many states host conferences throughout the year for schools and districts to strengthen their school improvement processes and share best practices with each other.  Plan to attend one of these conferences coming up in October and November.  For more details or to register, contact the coordinating state office.  (Contact information for all state offices can be found in the back of the AdvancED Benefits booklet and on the AdvancED Web site at www.advanc-ed.org.)

Indiana Fall Conference - October 2-3

North Dakota Fall Conference - October 5-6

Kansas Fall Conference - October 9-11

Navajo Nation Fall Conference - October 10-11

Colorado Fall Conference - October 27

Michigan Pre-Conference and Conference - November 6-8

South Dakota Conference - November 12-14

Thank you for reading this issue of NCA e-NEWS. Events and dates are subject to change.
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