Data Tool Access and Future Development
As WASC continues to expand tools that support schools in their continuous improvement journey, we would like to provide additional clarity about the newly released WASC Data Tool and its current scope.
Schools Currently Included in the Data Tool
The current version of the Data Tool is designed specifically for the following California institutions:
- California public schools with enrolled high school–age students, including charter schools and TK–12 or 7–12 schools
- California adult schools that enroll high school–age students
These schools appear in the Data Tool because they report data to the California Department of Education (CDE) and other statewide public data sources that directly feed into the tool.
Why Some Schools Do Not Appear
We have received questions from member schools that do not currently appear in the Data Tool. In most cases, this is because:
- The school does not serve high school–age students (e.g., adult-only schools, elementary schools, or middle schools), or
- The school is a private or nonpublic institution and does not report data to CDE or the state systems that power the tool.
Schools that do not appear in the Data Tool remain accredited by WASC; they simply fall outside the scope of the state data sources used in this initial phase of the tool.
Phase 2: Expanding the Data Tool for All School Types
WASC is actively planning a second phase of the Data Tool that will expand access to all remaining California school types, including private, adult, independent, and religious institutions.
This next phase will be informed by:
- Ongoing feedback from schools currently using the Data Tool
- A forthcoming survey of WASC member schools
- Additional research and conversations focused on identifying meaningful, accessible indicators that support self-study and continuous improvement
Our goal is to develop a framework that reflects the diversity of WASC-accredited institutions while ensuring the tool remains practical, consistent, and aligned with accreditation and improvement planning needs.
As we continue refining and expanding this resource, we welcome your insights. Member feedback is essential to shaping the next iteration of the Data Tool so it effectively supports schools of all types—large and small, public and private, traditional and specialized.