Schools receive high marks in accreditation process
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Lois Rogers | Correspondent
The schools of the Diocese of Trenton received high marks and commendations as evaluators from the education accrediting agency AdvancED revealed the results of a comprehensive external review for accreditation conducted in early November.
An overview of AdvancED’s findings was presented Nov. 4 in the Diocesan Chancery by Eddie Krenson, lead evaluator for the team, before a gathering of Catholic school leaders from across Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Krenson reported the team’s finding that the school system of 32 elementary and seven high schools provides “a well-managed, active, innovative and supportive learning environment for its students enhanced by a strong sense of Catholic identity.”
Following a detailed explanation of the review process and some of the preliminary findings, Krenson stated, “The External Review Team recommends to the AdvancED Accreditation Commission that the Diocese of Trenton earn the distinction of accreditation by AdvancED.”
Rigorous Review
The report wrapped up a three-day evaluation by Krenson and nine other team members from around the United States who interviewed 270 Catholic school “stakeholders” of Catholic education in the Diocese. They included Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., diocesan staff and a sampling of Catholic school administrators, pastors, instructional and support staff, students, parents and school board members from across Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
The team looked for evidence to ensure that schools in the Trenton Diocese met AdvancED’s rigorous standards for quality schools and school systems. During the visit, team members made school visits, interviewed school administrators and faculty and observed classroom instruction. They spent time reviewing school and diocesan data and other evidence that showed how the schools strive for excellence in academic and faith programs.
Krenson noted that results revealed a spiritual and academic infrastructure in the Catholic school system within the Diocese that is strong in its teaching and learning approaches, leadership and use of resources. It’s a system, he said, which knows how to prioritize academically and spiritually.
“There is an exceptional sense of Catholic identity,” within the “hearts of the stakeholders,” he said. “It’s an extraordinary quality here,” said Krenson, who added: “We don’t find Catholic identity as pervasive in every Catholic diocese.”
The team found the diocesan schools highly effective in their commitment to the mission of Catholic education. “There’s not just one level of support here,” he said. “There are layers of support” from the schools, to the students, to the parents, to community leaders which all benefit the educational process.
Welcome Feedback
In a message released Nov. 9, Bishop O’Connell wrote, “We can all feel great pride in the success of the Department of Catholic Schools in the recent AdvancED accreditation visit and rankings. Our Catholic schools were ranked above average in every category. Congratulations and thank you.”
A comprehensive report is expected before the end of the year.
The Diocese of Trenton will be one of more than 30 dioceses nationwide to receive full, district-wide accreditation from AdvancED, a non-profit, non-partisan organization that conducts rigorous, on-site external reviews of PreK-12 schools and systems with the aim of helping all learners realize their full potential.
The Trenton Diocese embarked on the rigorous process in the spring of 2014 said JoAnn Tier, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools.
The intent was to assess the system in all areas, setting particular benchmarks in spirituality and religion instruction. “Using those benchmarks and standards, we went into AdvancED surveys on ownership and governance,” she said.
Tier said the Diocese chose to work with AdvancED because it provided a holistic, rather than school-by-school approach to the process. “We wanted a more holistic approach, melding with the goals, ensuring a commonality of process and purpose,” she explained.
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By Lois Rogers | Correspondent
The schools of the Diocese of Trenton received high marks and commendations as evaluators from the education accrediting agency AdvancED revealed the results of a comprehensive external review for accreditation conducted in early November.
An overview of AdvancED’s findings was presented Nov. 4 in the Diocesan Chancery by Eddie Krenson, lead evaluator for the team, before a gathering of Catholic school leaders from across Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Krenson reported the team’s finding that the school system of 32 elementary and seven high schools provides “a well-managed, active, innovative and supportive learning environment for its students enhanced by a strong sense of Catholic identity.”
Following a detailed explanation of the review process and some of the preliminary findings, Krenson stated, “The External Review Team recommends to the AdvancED Accreditation Commission that the Diocese of Trenton earn the distinction of accreditation by AdvancED.”
Rigorous Review
The report wrapped up a three-day evaluation by Krenson and nine other team members from around the United States who interviewed 270 Catholic school “stakeholders” of Catholic education in the Diocese. They included Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., diocesan staff and a sampling of Catholic school administrators, pastors, instructional and support staff, students, parents and school board members from across Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
The team looked for evidence to ensure that schools in the Trenton Diocese met AdvancED’s rigorous standards for quality schools and school systems. During the visit, team members made school visits, interviewed school administrators and faculty and observed classroom instruction. They spent time reviewing school and diocesan data and other evidence that showed how the schools strive for excellence in academic and faith programs.
Krenson noted that results revealed a spiritual and academic infrastructure in the Catholic school system within the Diocese that is strong in its teaching and learning approaches, leadership and use of resources. It’s a system, he said, which knows how to prioritize academically and spiritually.
“There is an exceptional sense of Catholic identity,” within the “hearts of the stakeholders,” he said. “It’s an extraordinary quality here,” said Krenson, who added: “We don’t find Catholic identity as pervasive in every Catholic diocese.”
The team found the diocesan schools highly effective in their commitment to the mission of Catholic education. “There’s not just one level of support here,” he said. “There are layers of support” from the schools, to the students, to the parents, to community leaders which all benefit the educational process.
Welcome Feedback
In a message released Nov. 9, Bishop O’Connell wrote, “We can all feel great pride in the success of the Department of Catholic Schools in the recent AdvancED accreditation visit and rankings. Our Catholic schools were ranked above average in every category. Congratulations and thank you.”
A comprehensive report is expected before the end of the year.
The Diocese of Trenton will be one of more than 30 dioceses nationwide to receive full, district-wide accreditation from AdvancED, a non-profit, non-partisan organization that conducts rigorous, on-site external reviews of PreK-12 schools and systems with the aim of helping all learners realize their full potential.
The Trenton Diocese embarked on the rigorous process in the spring of 2014 said JoAnn Tier, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools.
The intent was to assess the system in all areas, setting particular benchmarks in spirituality and religion instruction. “Using those benchmarks and standards, we went into AdvancED surveys on ownership and governance,” she said.
Tier said the Diocese chose to work with AdvancED because it provided a holistic, rather than school-by-school approach to the process. “We wanted a more holistic approach, melding with the goals, ensuring a commonality of process and purpose,” she explained.
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