Investing in the Future -- Accreditation process brings value to Diocese, schools, students
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
A message from JoAnn Tier | Moderator for Catholic Education
Teaching is an art. Teachers look into the eyes of a child to determine understanding. In so doing, they make a connection far beyond conveying basic instruction. The child knows the teacher cares and is invested in him. Whether teaching bouncy 4 year-old preschool students or imparting knowledge to graduate students, making a connection, motivating, inspiring and delivering the educational concepts are all part of this respected pedagogy.
Catholic school teachers, invested in the students whom they teach, are relentless in their pursuit of providing an exceptional 21st century educational experience. With this end-result as a goal, school communities in the Diocese of Trenton completed a year and a half AdvancED Accreditation Study and hosted a team of educators from Nov. 1-4, as part of the accreditation process.
AdvancED is an internationally recognized accreditation agency that incorporates a standards-driven and student-centered approach with an emphasis on increasing student performance and growth as well as school improvement. AdvancED accreditation provides the tools to nurture and support individual school improvement while aligning school improvement with diocesan improvement goals. AdvancED has accredited over 32,000 institutions in 71 countries and serves over 20 million students worldwide.
Educationally, there are no silos in which teachers or schools operate distinctly, independently and detached from others. With systemic and sustainable improvement, administrators and faculty work in pursuit of a shared vision that all learners realize their full potential.
To that end, a comprehensive self-assessment of each school was initiated in the spring of 2014. Areas of focus included Catholic identity and the foundational areas of AdvancED standards - purpose and direction, governance and leadership, teaching and assessing for learning, resource and support systems and using results for continuous improvement. Surveys were conducted with parents, faculty, staff and students to learn their perspectives relative to the standards. The school documents were uploaded for members of the visiting team to review prior to the November 2015 visit.
With the arrival of the team, interviews were conducted with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., diocesan leadership, pastors, principals, parent representatives and community members representing 270 stakeholders. Ten schools in the Diocese were visited by members of the external review team to observe student learning in action. The Effective Learning Environment Observation Tool (ELEOT) was utilized to assess student engagement.
The results of this assessment illustrated that schools in the Diocese of Trenton) exceeded the AdvancED Network Average in the areas of:
Equitable Learning (DOT-2.81; AdvancED Avg.- 2.69);
High Expectations (DOT-3.06; AdvancED Avg.-2.81);
Supportive Learning (DOT-3.28; AdvancED Avg.- 3.07);
Active Learning (DOT-3.12; AdvancED Avg.-2.94);
Well-Managed Learning Environment (DOT-3.40; AdvancED Avg. -3.14); and
Digital Learning (DOT-1.91; AdvancED Avg.- 1.83)
In Progress Monitoring and Feedback the score was slightly below the network average (DOT-3.06; AdvancED Avg.-3.08).
While exceeding all but one of the averages for the AdvancED network of schools and scoring positive results, educators see the wisdom in concentrated focus on improvement and growth in the areas of digital learning, progress monitoring and feedback, equity of learning and active learning environments to better meet the needs of today’s students.
The team visit concluded Nov. 4 with Mr. Eddie Krenson, chair of the External Review Team and vice-president of the Non-Public School Services for AdvancED, presenting an exit report delineating powerful practices and improvement priorities for the Department of Catholic Schools and its 39 schools.
Powerful Practices (strengths) included the following:
Administrators and educators, under the leadership of Bishop O’Connell, exhibit a strong sense of Catholic identity which permeates the diocesan climate and culture.
A collaborative and collegial spirit is apparent among those in leadership with attentiveness to individual initiative.
The Diocese demonstrates effective use of available resources to support its schools including a comprehensive marketing program, the services of a grant writer and the Catholic Alumni Partnership, which provides a strong alumni database for its schools.
The Department of Catholic Schools raises awareness among administrators to secure all services and resources available at the federal, state and local levels. Support services such as teacher aides, nurses and special educational resource teachers are additional assets that contribute to school resources.
There is meaningful engagement and empowerment of families in their child’s learning.
The use of Genesis, Power School and similar programs give parents access to student progress.
Recommended Opportunities for Improvement included the following:
Teaching and Assessing for Learning -- School surveys conducted with parents, teachers and students revealed the potential for greater improvement in monitoring and supporting teachers’ instructional practices to deliver a 21st century learning environment. This supports the need for differentiated instruction, active and engaged learning, student-directed learning and equitable learning opportunities. As lifelong learners, teachers will have access to professional development to utilize and incorporate 21st century instructional modes that are necessary to support today’s students.
Resource Utilization -- A process to track the procurement and effective use of resources, such as cooperative purchasing, is to be initiated throughout the system.
Improvement Priorities, areas the Diocese must address within two years, include the following:
Conduct benchmark research with other diocesan school systems of like size and mission to identify potential alternative funding resources to reduce the differential between tuition and the cost to educate a child.
Define and implement a systematic protocol for data analysis from multiple assessments and train administrators and instructional staff in the protocol, interpretation and use of data to guide instructional decisions.
Study the feasibility of replicating the 2012-2013 Commission Study to determine the level of progress achieved from the recommendations of the original study and to identify priorities that need to be addressed in the next cycle of diocesan planning.
The AdvancED External Review Team reported a composite score of all areas addressed throughout the AdvancED Protocol. This consisted of scores for 33 benchmarks and 7 ELEOT environments. It is related with pride that the Diocese of Trenton exceeded the average of all schools in the AdvancED Network in areas of Teaching and Learning Impact (DOT-276; AdvancED -269), Leadership Capacity (DOT-325; AdvancED-293) and Resource Utilization (DOT-300; AdvancED-283). The AdvancED Network Average composite score is 284. That final number, the Index of Education Quality (IEQ) for the Diocese of Trenton, is 295.
We salute our educators for their commitment to the educational process and to student learning. The successful results distinguish the forward-thinking diocesan educational environment!
In summarizing the characteristics of educators in the Diocese, the AdvancED visiting team described leaders and educators as fervently Catholic, passionate, mission-driven, effective, vibrant and child-centered. The team applauded the Department of Catholic Schools and its 39 schools for exceeding the AdvancED network averages on the ELEOT observation tool (the instrument for classroom observation) and the three domains including the overall Index of Education Quality Score Ratings.
The AdvancED Accreditation Commission is scheduled to meet Jan. 28 to review the diocesan study and the external review team’s recommendation that the Diocese of Trenton earn the distinction of accreditation by AdvancED. When affirmed, the accreditation will be proudly displayed in all schools as an indicator of competencies and achievement.
Sincere thanks are extended to Bishop O’Connell for his support of the study and his continued support of Catholic schools. Thanks are given to all who took part in the AdvancED Accreditation Process including members of the steering committee, pastors, administrators, the PTA, school board members, parents, and the wider parish and school communities.
In reflecting upon and absorbing the expansive information obtained in the study, a comprehensive review and discussion will take place Jan. 26 with principals and members of the Department of Catholic Schools. Beyond the systemic improvement priorities that will be addressed, discussion will center on the 21st century learning skills and instructional processes to be implemented so that teachers can be agents of change in facilitating student improvement.
The AdvancED study provides a tool to continue self-evaluation and the assessment of learning. It provides a blueprint to serve as a guide in making informed decisions for student improvement so that each student may realize their full potential.
Teaching, is indeed, an art.
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A message from JoAnn Tier | Moderator for Catholic Education
Teaching is an art. Teachers look into the eyes of a child to determine understanding. In so doing, they make a connection far beyond conveying basic instruction. The child knows the teacher cares and is invested in him. Whether teaching bouncy 4 year-old preschool students or imparting knowledge to graduate students, making a connection, motivating, inspiring and delivering the educational concepts are all part of this respected pedagogy.
Catholic school teachers, invested in the students whom they teach, are relentless in their pursuit of providing an exceptional 21st century educational experience. With this end-result as a goal, school communities in the Diocese of Trenton completed a year and a half AdvancED Accreditation Study and hosted a team of educators from Nov. 1-4, as part of the accreditation process.
AdvancED is an internationally recognized accreditation agency that incorporates a standards-driven and student-centered approach with an emphasis on increasing student performance and growth as well as school improvement. AdvancED accreditation provides the tools to nurture and support individual school improvement while aligning school improvement with diocesan improvement goals. AdvancED has accredited over 32,000 institutions in 71 countries and serves over 20 million students worldwide.
Educationally, there are no silos in which teachers or schools operate distinctly, independently and detached from others. With systemic and sustainable improvement, administrators and faculty work in pursuit of a shared vision that all learners realize their full potential.
To that end, a comprehensive self-assessment of each school was initiated in the spring of 2014. Areas of focus included Catholic identity and the foundational areas of AdvancED standards - purpose and direction, governance and leadership, teaching and assessing for learning, resource and support systems and using results for continuous improvement. Surveys were conducted with parents, faculty, staff and students to learn their perspectives relative to the standards. The school documents were uploaded for members of the visiting team to review prior to the November 2015 visit.
With the arrival of the team, interviews were conducted with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., diocesan leadership, pastors, principals, parent representatives and community members representing 270 stakeholders. Ten schools in the Diocese were visited by members of the external review team to observe student learning in action. The Effective Learning Environment Observation Tool (ELEOT) was utilized to assess student engagement.
The results of this assessment illustrated that schools in the Diocese of Trenton) exceeded the AdvancED Network Average in the areas of:
Equitable Learning (DOT-2.81; AdvancED Avg.- 2.69);
High Expectations (DOT-3.06; AdvancED Avg.-2.81);
Supportive Learning (DOT-3.28; AdvancED Avg.- 3.07);
Active Learning (DOT-3.12; AdvancED Avg.-2.94);
Well-Managed Learning Environment (DOT-3.40; AdvancED Avg. -3.14); and
Digital Learning (DOT-1.91; AdvancED Avg.- 1.83)
In Progress Monitoring and Feedback the score was slightly below the network average (DOT-3.06; AdvancED Avg.-3.08).
While exceeding all but one of the averages for the AdvancED network of schools and scoring positive results, educators see the wisdom in concentrated focus on improvement and growth in the areas of digital learning, progress monitoring and feedback, equity of learning and active learning environments to better meet the needs of today’s students.
The team visit concluded Nov. 4 with Mr. Eddie Krenson, chair of the External Review Team and vice-president of the Non-Public School Services for AdvancED, presenting an exit report delineating powerful practices and improvement priorities for the Department of Catholic Schools and its 39 schools.
Powerful Practices (strengths) included the following:
Administrators and educators, under the leadership of Bishop O’Connell, exhibit a strong sense of Catholic identity which permeates the diocesan climate and culture.
A collaborative and collegial spirit is apparent among those in leadership with attentiveness to individual initiative.
The Diocese demonstrates effective use of available resources to support its schools including a comprehensive marketing program, the services of a grant writer and the Catholic Alumni Partnership, which provides a strong alumni database for its schools.
The Department of Catholic Schools raises awareness among administrators to secure all services and resources available at the federal, state and local levels. Support services such as teacher aides, nurses and special educational resource teachers are additional assets that contribute to school resources.
There is meaningful engagement and empowerment of families in their child’s learning.
The use of Genesis, Power School and similar programs give parents access to student progress.
Recommended Opportunities for Improvement included the following:
Teaching and Assessing for Learning -- School surveys conducted with parents, teachers and students revealed the potential for greater improvement in monitoring and supporting teachers’ instructional practices to deliver a 21st century learning environment. This supports the need for differentiated instruction, active and engaged learning, student-directed learning and equitable learning opportunities. As lifelong learners, teachers will have access to professional development to utilize and incorporate 21st century instructional modes that are necessary to support today’s students.
Resource Utilization -- A process to track the procurement and effective use of resources, such as cooperative purchasing, is to be initiated throughout the system.
Improvement Priorities, areas the Diocese must address within two years, include the following:
Conduct benchmark research with other diocesan school systems of like size and mission to identify potential alternative funding resources to reduce the differential between tuition and the cost to educate a child.
Define and implement a systematic protocol for data analysis from multiple assessments and train administrators and instructional staff in the protocol, interpretation and use of data to guide instructional decisions.
Study the feasibility of replicating the 2012-2013 Commission Study to determine the level of progress achieved from the recommendations of the original study and to identify priorities that need to be addressed in the next cycle of diocesan planning.
The AdvancED External Review Team reported a composite score of all areas addressed throughout the AdvancED Protocol. This consisted of scores for 33 benchmarks and 7 ELEOT environments. It is related with pride that the Diocese of Trenton exceeded the average of all schools in the AdvancED Network in areas of Teaching and Learning Impact (DOT-276; AdvancED -269), Leadership Capacity (DOT-325; AdvancED-293) and Resource Utilization (DOT-300; AdvancED-283). The AdvancED Network Average composite score is 284. That final number, the Index of Education Quality (IEQ) for the Diocese of Trenton, is 295.
We salute our educators for their commitment to the educational process and to student learning. The successful results distinguish the forward-thinking diocesan educational environment!
In summarizing the characteristics of educators in the Diocese, the AdvancED visiting team described leaders and educators as fervently Catholic, passionate, mission-driven, effective, vibrant and child-centered. The team applauded the Department of Catholic Schools and its 39 schools for exceeding the AdvancED network averages on the ELEOT observation tool (the instrument for classroom observation) and the three domains including the overall Index of Education Quality Score Ratings.
The AdvancED Accreditation Commission is scheduled to meet Jan. 28 to review the diocesan study and the external review team’s recommendation that the Diocese of Trenton earn the distinction of accreditation by AdvancED. When affirmed, the accreditation will be proudly displayed in all schools as an indicator of competencies and achievement.
Sincere thanks are extended to Bishop O’Connell for his support of the study and his continued support of Catholic schools. Thanks are given to all who took part in the AdvancED Accreditation Process including members of the steering committee, pastors, administrators, the PTA, school board members, parents, and the wider parish and school communities.
In reflecting upon and absorbing the expansive information obtained in the study, a comprehensive review and discussion will take place Jan. 26 with principals and members of the Department of Catholic Schools. Beyond the systemic improvement priorities that will be addressed, discussion will center on the 21st century learning skills and instructional processes to be implemented so that teachers can be agents of change in facilitating student improvement.
The AdvancED study provides a tool to continue self-evaluation and the assessment of learning. It provides a blueprint to serve as a guide in making informed decisions for student improvement so that each student may realize their full potential.
Teaching, is indeed, an art.
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