PRESS RELEASE

 October 26, 2011

  Cartersville City Schools Recommended for Continued District Accreditation

On Wednesday, October 26, a Quality Assurance Review (QAR) Team from Advanc-Ed, the parent organization of the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools (SACS), completed an intensive review of the Cartersville City School System culminating in an on-site visit over the last four days to validate the school district’s standing for accreditation.  In an oral exit report at a Called Meeting of the Board of Education, the QAR team chair announced that the review team is recommending continuing District Accreditation for Cartersville as a Quality School System. 

  The QAR team commended the district on several points including:  the prevalent system vision of “Making It Personal” among all stakeholders, the transparency and openness of operations as established by the superintendent, the rich data information utilized by the system to guide instruction and the goals of the district, the system having all teachers “highly qualified” for the past four years, the system’s proactive approach to financial planning so that educational programs have not been cut during the state’s budget deficits, and the strong community support for the school system. 

  As required, the QAR team also left the district with required actions as the district continues to strive for quality and excellence.  The school system must address these required actions over the next five years.  The required actions were three in number, and included: researching ways to integrate the use of classroom technology into the classrooms to help prepare all students for the global world in which we live; investigating a curriculum management model with more district guidance to implement and monitor standards based instruction; and engaging in conversation about the changing demographics in the system and associated needs of all learners.  A complete written synopsis of the QAR team recommendations will be made available when the final report is sent to the school system later this fall.  Official awarding of District Accreditation will be done at the annual Advanc-ED SACS CASI meeting in December.

  District Accreditation has three major components:  1) Engaging in Continuous Improvement.  The district must develop, articulate and implement a planning framework based upon a viable vision for the school system and its schools.  2) Meeting Standards.  The district must comply and maintain adherence to standards for district accreditation.  Additionally, each school in the district must meet accreditation standards specifically designed for schools.  3) Demonstrating Quality Assurance.  The system must demonstrate institutional integrity through documentation and peer review. 

Advanc-ED is the largest accrediting agency in the world representing more than 27,000 public and private schools and 15 million students.  Cartersville City Schools was one of the first 60 systems in the country to earn District Accreditation initially in 2006.  This continuing achievement confirms that the system as well as each school is fully accredited by meeting rigorous standards for quality school systems.  Every five years, the district must host a Quality Assurance Review Team to insure its worthiness for accreditation.

  The entire staff and community of the Cartersville City School system are to be commended on this level of achievement.  The system also expresses its grateful thanks to a supportive community that places such importance on the development of young people.