Brandon Twp.- District officials have been preparing for two years for the special visitors they will host this week.
On Feb. 6, 7, and 8, the AdvancEd District Accreditation Quality Assurance Review team will be in the district. The team, consisting of five educators, including current principals and teachers and a retired superintendent, two of whom come from out of state (Nebraska and Florida), are here to evaluate Brandon and determine whether the district meets seven quality standards required for district accreditation.
‘We are excited it is time for our visit,? said Brandon Schools Superintendent Lorrie McMahon. ‘The last two years, a lot of work has gone into preparing for these three days. We believe the AdvancEd team will be very pleased with the Brandon School District.?
The QAR team will visit every school, go into classrooms, and interview principals, school board members, and department directors including food service, transportation, maintenance and custodians. The team will talk to district stakeholders including parents, business owners and other members of the community.
‘What they are looking for is clear commitment and an organization that is dedicated to and operating for the purpose of student learning,? said Assistant Superintendent Carole Beverwyk. ‘We have to pay the hotel and airfare costs for the out-of-state educators and especially in tough economic times it’s a difficult decision, but we are dedicated to achieving the highest quality accreditation standards. It’s important to participate in this process.?
The team will assess whether the district meets seven quality standards required for accreditation: Vision and purpose; governance and leadership; teaching and learning; documenting and using results; resources and support system; stakeholder communications and relationships; and commitment to continuous improvement.
‘We will be among only 10 percent of school districts in the state who have embraced this challenge,? said Beverwyk. ‘We know they will find things we need to improve on and we will embrace that and we will improve.?
The QAR team will present an oral report at the end of their visit on Wednesday.