What is the Accreditation-Plus Program?

Accreditation-Plus is a new optional support program that provides a structure for managing all aspects of the WASC accreditation process and your self-study—from engaging your shareholders, developing your report, preparing for the visit, and managing your ongoing action plan and follow-up.

What do I get?

By joining the Accreditation-Plus program, you receive extra training, ongoing support and WASC-approved tools and templates for streamlining and facilitating the self-study process. At the core of the Accreditation-Plus program is a web-based software application that:

• Supports planning and coordination of the self-study and ongoing process, and includes an interactive “self-study coordinator checklist”
• Provides streaming online tutorials on self-study tasks
• Allows for structured shareholder input and feedback through a secure website
• Stores and manages your self-study documents, your self-study reports , and action plans
• Captures evidence of your collaborative process for your visiting committee
• Enables ongoing implementation and monitoring of your schoolwide action plan, updating of your student/community profile, and preparation of progress reports
• Gives you a jump start on your next accreditation cycle

In addition, school Leadership Team members can participate in the online WASC Professional Learning Community, an additional website featuring peer support and best-practice sharing, as well as an “Ask WASC” hotline.

What kind of school is the program suitable for?

WASC is currently inviting all schools scheduled for full visits in 2006–2007 to participate in the Accreditation-Plus program. Accreditation-Plus is available for WASC, WASC/CDE, and most joint WASC protocols.

What are the costs involved?

Schools will be charged an annual fee to cover the cost of technical support. There will also be a one-time set-up fee. We have already seen that the cost savings associated with streamlining the self-study and ongoing improvement processes have more than made up for these fees. For example, many schools can save on the costs of hiring substitute teachers to replace teachers while they meet regarding WASC accreditation issues since most staff communication and work on the self-study can be accomplished through the interactive Accreditation-Plus program.

Below is the schedule of fees for 2007-2008 school year:

• One time, nonrefundable set up fee: $1,500
• Annual program fee: $500 per year

We highly recommend that schools begin with Accreditation-Plus the school year prior to the WASC self-study visit in order to most effectively use the program.

What is the cancellation policy if we decide that Accreditation-Plus is not right for us?

Cancellation Policy

The $1,500.00 set-up fee is a one-time fee and is not refundable.

• Schools that cancel before December 31 would receive a 100% refund of the annual fee.
• Schools that cancel between January 1 and March 31 of the first year would receive a 50% refund ($250.00).
• Schools that cancel after March 31 of the first year would not be eligible to receive a refund.

How do I learn to use the software?

Accreditation-Plus offers online training sessions, on your choice of several days each month.

Each training/coaching session involves guided “hands-on” learning, and is geared towards the Self-Study Coordinator and Principal. Additional key Leadership Team members may also attend.

Where are the training sessions held?

You can participate in the online training from your school or home. Login from any computer with an internet connection and then join us in a conference call.

What if I am not highly experienced in using a computer?

Accreditation-Plus has been designed to be as simple as possible to set up and use. We are here to help and support you during this process. Individuals who need coaching on any aspect of Accreditation-Plus can receive it through a phone call.

If I attend the Accreditation-Plus training, do I still need to attend the WASC regional Self-Study training?

Yes. Accreditation-Plus training/coaching sessions are built around the knowledge of the Self-Study process that you receive during the WASC regional trainings. Participation in Accreditation-Plus supplements the traditional process.

I still have a few questions. Who do I ask?

For questions of a general nature, contact Cynthia Newton in the Northern California WASC offices at (650) 548-4387, or via email at cnewton@acswasc.org.

Technical questions for current users of the Accreditation-Plus program should be directed to Robyn Moulding at (925) 256-4343, x 124, or via email at robyn@acswasc.org

How do we sign up?

Click Register for the APlus Program, or contact Cynthia Newton in the Northern California WASC offices at (650) 548-4387, or via email at cnewton@acswasc.org.