NEASC+Acreditation

For those of you not yet in progress for a NEASC Accreditation, but with ones upcoming ... the standards undergo a pretty signficant change for 2011. We will just be starting out self-evaluation at that point and I wanted to get a look ahead - boy am I glad I did!!

As you know, Guidance comes under School Resources along with nursing, media and sped. And while I agree with the essence of the standards, providing evidence of everything (and we all know NEASC wants hard and antecdotal evidence to cover every word of every standard!) gives me pause. And makes me glad I looked ahead as I can start documenting now, as well as filling in the holes. Things like partnerships with community counseling services ... hmmm, not too many of those in lancaster, bolton & stow !

**School Resources for Learning**  Student learning and well-being are dependent upon adequate and appropriate support. The school is responsible for providing an effective range of coordinated programs and services. These resources enhance and improve student learning and well-being and support the school's core values and beliefs. Student support services enable each student to achieve the school's 21st century learning expectations. 
 * The school has timely, coordinated, and directive intervention strategies for all students, including identified and at-risk students, that support each student’s achievement of the school’s 21st century learning expectations.
 * The school provides information to families, especially to those most in need, about available student support services.
 * Support services staff use technology to deliver an effective range of coordinated services for each student.
 * School counseling services have an adequate number of certified/licensed personnel and support staff who:
 * 1) deliver a written, developmental program
 * 2) meet regularly with students to provide personal, academic, career, and college counseling
 * 3) engage in individual and group meetings with all students
 * 4) deliver collaborative outreach and referral to community and area mental health agencies and social service providers
 * 5) use ongoing, relevant assessment data, including feedback from the school community, to improve services and ensure each student achieves the school’s 21st century learning expectations

perform ongoing assessment, using relevant data including feedback from the school community to improve services and ensure each student achieves the school’s 21 st century learning expectations
 * Support services for identified students, including special education, Section 504 of the ADA, and English language learners, have an adequate number of certified/licensed personnel and support staff who:
 * 1) collaborate with all teachers, counselors, targeted services, and other support staff in order to achieve the school's 21st century learning expectations
 * 2) provide inclusive learning opportunities for all students