The school has adopted and uses a comprehensive process that monitors, documents, and assesses (1) student performance based on adopted expectations/objectives for learning, (2) the effectiveness of curriculum and instruction in meeting those expectations/objectives, and (3) overall school effectiveness.

The school uses the information yielded by this process to determine improvements needed to increase overall student performance and to provide timely and accurate information to administrators, teachers, students, and parents about student performance, instructional effectiveness, and overall school effectiveness. It also tracks and reports the results of the school’s overall improvement efforts and provides the data necessary to lead the school to increasing improvement.

Standards

1. School Employs Comprehensive Assessment Program

   The school employs a comprehensive assessment program that provides for analysis and review of student performance and school effectiveness.

   Narrative required

2. School Establishes Performance Measures Based on Instructional Objectives

   The school establishes performance measures based on adopted instructional objectives for student learning that provide information that is concrete, accurate, reliable, and valid, rather than individual or institutional subjective opinions or perceptions.

   Narrative required

3. School’s Written Assessment Plan Determines Student, Instructional, and Curricular Improvement

   The school has a written student assessment plan that serves as the basis for how the school (a) constructs student assessments, (b) conducts student assessments, and (c) uses the results of student assessments for determining student progress/needs, improving instruction, and improving curricular offerings.

   Artifact Student assessment policy and process (clearly-defined and comprehensive) *

4. School Gathers, Analyzes, and Uses Student Assessment Data

   The school gathers, analyzes, and uses student assessment data for determining instructional and learning effectiveness and uses the results for making decisions for continuous improvement of teaching and learning processes.

   Narrative required

5. School Communicates Assessment Results to Stakeholders

   The school communicates the results of student performance, instructional effectiveness, and overall school effectiveness to all pertinent stakeholders in a reporting process as determined by the school’s governing board. This includes sending to parents and guardians periodic progress reports, quarterly and semester academic reports, and annually the results of a national norm-referenced test. Parent conferences are held at least annually in at least grades Pre-K through 5 to discuss individual student progress.

   Narrative required Artifacts Anonymized student progress report Evidence of parent/teacher conferences Evidence of student achievement (e.g. standardized test scores, PSAT, SAT, ACT scores, etc.) * Quarterly and semester academic report

6. School Conducts Annual Norm-Referenced Standardized Testing

   The school conducts annually a national norm-referenced test for grades selected by the school and sends results to parents annually.

   Artifacts Evidence of student achievement (e.g. standardized test scores, PSAT, SAT, ACT scores, etc.) * Sample of norm-referenced test used

7. School Documents Use of Nationally-Normed Norm-Referenced Standardized Testing

   The school documents the use of nationally norm-referenced test that includes: (a) what instrument(s) is(are) used, (b) when it is administered, (c) how the results are used for determining individual student progress/needs, and (d) how the results are used for for curriculum modification and improving instruction. (See Strand 7 for appropriate Early Childhood assessment)

   Artifacts Sample of analysis data and process Sample of norm-referenced test used

8. School Demonstrates with Objective Data

   The school demonstrates through objective data proven growth and improvement in student performance, instructional effectiveness, and overall school effectiveness.

   Artifact Sample of analysis data and process

9. School Seeking Common Core Aligned Accreditation Incorporates FL Common Core Standards

   The school seeking common core aligned accreditation has incorporated Florida Common Core Standards into its curriculum.

   Artifact Common-core curricular information

10. School Seeking Common Core Aligned Accreditation Conducts Annual Criterion Reference Testing

    The school seeking common core aligned accreditation conducts annual criterion reference testing that is published by a nationally-recognized agency and is in alignment with the Florida Common Core Standards.

    Artifact Sample of criterion referenced test

11. School Seeking Common Core Aligned Accreditation Has Written Testing

    The school seeking common core aligned accreditation has a written plan for national criterion reference testing that includes (a) what nationally-recognized instrument(s) is(are) used, (b) when administered, (c) how the results are used for determining individual student progress/needs, and (d) how the results are used for curriculum modification and improving instruction.

    Artifacts Sample of analysis data and process Sample of criterion referenced test