Spring 2001 Issue

Dear NCA CASI Members: Our membership is a compilation of many schools and educational entities from various parts of the United States, the Navajo Nation, and the Department of Defense Dependent Schools overseas. As a new educational millennium begins, I believe it is time for us to employ the Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement accreditation procedures, data collection process, and evidence of enhanced student achievement to boast about quality education as well as safe and secure school environments. In this era, the focus must not only be on producing gains in test results but also on publicizing them. I encourage all CASI educators to individually and collectively utilize the data available to them to improve the public perception of our educational systems. Positive case studies, in addition to gains in aggregate school or grade level scores, should be disseminated more frequently to colleagues, parents, and public officials. Successful companies have advertising departments that continuously inform customers as to why their product is the BEST. NCA CASI school leaders must begin to initiate the same action.

Two ways to advertise our product are (a) emphasizing the mission of our organization and (b) monitoring the implementation of the school capacity instrument. The CASI mission statement proclaims our schools should be increasing the number of students who are ready to be successful in their next school transition. Initially, the leaders in this organization must document and acknowledge that member schools can prove they are achieving this mission. Additionally, the school capacity instrument should be used to assist staff members with tracking their own progress toward this end. Schools that are utilizing our materials and training, sharing our vision, and increasing the number of students ready for their next school transition must step forward. It is crucial that parents, community members, and colleagues be exposed to these positive results.

As I serve as your chair of the NCA Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, I will strive to promote marketing of NCA CASI that emphasizes the educational excellence and increased student achievement that occurs in our schools.

Be proud and boast about the fine work you do!

Sincerely,

Eric J. Gundrum, Ed.D.
Chair
NCA Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement

About the writer: Dr. Eric Gundrum is the principal of Cheyenne Elementary School in Peoria, Arizona. He has been an elementary school administrator for fifteen years. Prior to his school administration experience, Eric taught junior high science and mathematics. He can be contacted at egundrum@peoriaud.k12.az.us.