WASC Overview

Western Association of Schools and Colleges

The Focus on Learning Joint WASC/CDE Process is an ongoing collaboration between the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the California Department of Education (CDE). The process assists a school in an in-depth look at what currently exists and what needs to be improved in relation to student learning and the schools program. Basic concepts addressed in this process focus upon student success in meeting expected school wide learning results and academic standards. Through the Focus on Learning process a school fulfills the requirements for Accreditation and forms the basis for the Single Plan for Pupil Achievement through use of as single set of curriculum-driven criteria for high schools. Learn more at WASC Process Overview

Why Accreditation?

• Certification to the public that the school is a trustworthy institution of learning
• Validates the integrity of a schools program and student transcripts
• Fosters improvement of the schools programs and operations to support student learning
• Assures a school community that the schools purposes are appropriate and being accomplished through a viable educational program
• A way to manage change through regular assessment, planning, implementing, monitoring and reassessment
• Assists a school/district in establishing its priority areas for improvement as a result of the perpetual accreditation cycle that includes
  • School self-assessment of the current educational program for students
  • Insight and perspective from the visiting committee

  • Regular school staff assessment of progress through the intervening years between full self-studies

Source: www.acswasc.org/about_why.htm

Complete Joint Process Overview

Complete_CDE_Charter_JointProcess_09.pdf (PDF)