WASC Accreditation
Focus on Learning WASC Self Study, 2007
As many of you know, Peninsula High School will undergo its WASC accreditation visit on February 26-28, 2007. On those days, a visiting team of educators will come to our school to validate our self study report and make recommendations for how we can meet our goals as set forth in our action plan. Our entire staff, parents/guardians, community members, and students will participate by meeting with the visiting committee and sharing thoughts, ideas and suggestions of how to continue to improve Peninsula. Our report is now complete and is in the process of being sent to the visiting committee members.
Listed below are answers to some frequently asked questions about the WASC process:
What is WASC?
WASC is the acronym for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. This organization, which is located in Burlingame, grants accreditation for all the high schools and colleges in the western region of the United States.
What is accreditation?
Accreditation is a voluntary process whereby a school conducts a self study which reviews how effective its academic programs and support services are for all students. A review team of educators visits the school and helps the school identify the school strengths and areas for growth. The school is evaluated on: 1) how well the entire school, parents/guardians, and community is involved in the assessment of the instructional programs; and 2) how well the criteria questions have been met. The maximum term of accreditation is six years. Currently, we are completing a six year with a three year review accreditation cycle that started back in 2001.
Why is accreditation important for a school?
The accreditation process guarantees or validates the integrity and quality of the school's instructional program and the students' transcripts. Accreditation also:
1. encourages excellence and ongoing improvement in the schools;
2. helps a school to decide which areas are priority for improvement (areas of strength and areas for growth);
3. determines how well students meet the "PUMAS" or expected school wide learning results identified as important for all students.