North Central Commission on Accreditation & School Improvement (AdvancED – NCA CASI) announced on April 28 that Advanced Technology Academy in Dearborn once again received full accreditation status based on the results of the March 30-31 Quality Assurance Review.
The six-member QAR team, comprised of experienced administrators, principals and teachers from around the state, report that the administrative and instructional practices at the academy are either highly functional or functional on all required quality standards.
“This recognition from NCA acknowledges the academy’s on-going efforts to deliver a high quality educational program,” Board President Richard Schneider said.
Academy CEO Barry Hawthorne reports that ATA has been continuously accredited through NCA CASI since 2005.
“The QAR team’s report delivered on March 31 to the staff reflects the dedication of the board, administrators and faculty on working toward the fulfillment of the academy’s mission and vision for students and the school,” Hawthorne said.
NCA CASI is an agency within the umbrella organization called AdvancED. To receive and maintain NCA-CASI accreditation status, the academy must meet AdvancED standards for quality school systems; engage in continuous improvement efforts, and demonstrate quality assurance through internal and external reviews.
During the QAR, an experienced team of educators review curriculum, policies and procedures, instructional methods and operations. In addition, they interview board members, administrators, teachers, parents and students.
The AdvancED accreditation process, a protocol embraced around the world, is a clear and comprehensive program of evaluation and external review; supported by research-based standards, and dedicated to helping schools, districts and education providers continuously improve student achievement.
AdvancED is the world’s largest education community, serving more than 27,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States and in 69 countries that educate over 15 million students. As the global leader in advancing education excellence through accreditation and school improvement, AdvancED brings together more than 100 years of experience and the expertise of the two largest national accreditation agencies — NCA CASI and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).
For more information on AdvancED go to www.advanc-ed.org or questions regarding the academy’s QAR visit contact Kaye LaGreca by email at [email protected] or by phone at 313-625-4690.
Advanced Technology Academy’s P-20 educational program — Dearborn University Constorium Center
Established in 2009, the Dearborn University Consortium Center began offering college courses to the local community and Advanced Technology Academy students and faculty, through Davenport University and Lake Superior State University. Each university program is unique to the area and provides students with a competitive edge for today’s workforce.
Last year, the DUCC, through Lake Superior State University, launched a master’s degree program in curriculum and instruction for the faculty at the Academy.
The first course focused on strengthening the incorporation of the Ford PAS pillars into curriculum and classroom instruction. Employing the Ford PAS curricular philosophy allows teachers to move beyond traditional instructional methods by engaging students with project and inquiry-based lessons and applications for solving real world problems.
For the 2011-12 year, the second course will focus on the use of research-based reading strategies across multi-curricular areas. According to National Council of Teachers of English, 70 percent of daily instruction in all subject areas must be dedicated to reading informational text. As a result of aggressively investing in a master’s level curriculum for its faculty, the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement acknowledged and commended the academy on its dedication and commitment to providing high quality professional development opportunities for its teachers and paraprofessionals during its March 2011 Quality Assurance Review.
This year the DUCC will offer courses in baccalaureate programs through Davenport University in business and health care. In January, the DUCC will host courses for the completion of a criminal justice and homeland security degree.
If you are interested in pursuing a degree, enrolling in a course, or learning more about the Dearborn University Consortium Center, contact Hannah Jorgensen, regional site director, at [email protected] or 313-625-4706.