KAS Under Review: Nine External Evaluators Arrive Monday for Multi-Day School Audit Next Week

by Matt Bailey

Next week, a joint visiting team from WASC and the IB will be on campus to conduct an accreditation review.

These nine external evaluators will be observing classes, talking to and meeting with students and staff, etc. as part of the school's evaluation process.

WASC

WASC stands for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. It is the organization that gives schools their “accreditation.” In simpler terms, it’s like a seal of approval that proves our classes are legitimate, our teachers are qualified, and our diplomas actually count.

"Accreditation visits are all about continuous school improvement. It's an exciting to time to have visitors celebrate the good work we are doing and give us feedback on the things we can do better," said MS Principal Chelsea Armstrong.

Over the last year, the faculty and administration compiled a 142 page "Self-Study" report. This document analyzes school data, including standardized test scores, graduation rates, and campus facilities. The Visiting Committee will arrive on campus to audit these findings and verify that the school's self-assessment aligns with its daily operations.

The three members of the WASC visiting committee will be on-campus from Monday, April 13 until Thursday, April 16. They will give a presentation of their findings on Thursday at 345pm in the auditorium.

"The inward focus and future thinking/planning built into the Self Study Report writing process will provide the school with good guidance for continued renewal and improvement in the coming months and years," said Head of School Jim Laney in an email.

IB

While the WASC team looks at the school's overall health (finances, facilities, and general academics), the six members of the IB Visiting Team focuses specifically on how the International Baccalaureate programs are being delivered.

The team will drop into various IB classes to see the "IB Learner Profile" in action. They aren't just checking if teachers are following a lesson plan; they are looking for evidence of: Inquiry-based learning, International-mindedness and focus on Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills.  

This visiting team will hold "Focus Group" meetings to hear directly from students and teachers. They will ask students about their workload, how grading works, and the support they receive in the DP and MYP programs. They will also meet with teachers to ensure they are working together to coordinate deadlines and plan projects across different subjects.

When encountering and talking to these visitors "students should simply be themselves and welcome our visitors," said Chelsea Armstrong.