Cloverdale fully accredited after QAR

CLOVERDALE-- It was all good news for the Cloverdale School Corporation as the results of the advanced education Quality Assurance Review visit were announced Monday by elementary and middle school principal Stacey Baugh.

During the visit, which took place April 16-18, Cloverdale was awarded full accreditation. The corporation hosted team members from AdvancED who interviewed school stakeholders, observed classrooms and reviewed relevant school artifacts, documents and student performance data to help them with their analysis.

Among the areas the team specifically analyzed were the seven AdvancED standards: Vision and purpose, governance and leadership, teaching and learning, documenting and using results, resource and support systems, stakeholder communications and relationships and commitment to continuous improvement.

The Cloverdale corporation was commended in several areas, including a safe and caring environment that nurtures deep relationships.

"Inside the district's caring atmosphere, students are given every opportunity to be successful," explained QAR Chairman, Dr. Mark Taylor. "Teachers actively reach out and influence students in a positive way. Each stakeholder group interviewed shared with the QAR team strong feelings about the positive relationships between students and teachers and administrators and teachers, to name a few."

The school corporation was also commended for its ability to maintain services to students that directly affect student achievement during a time of financial struggle.

"All stakeholders voiced confidence in the district's fiscal planning and budgetary expertise," said Taylor. "School sites and facilities are safe and appear well kept and maintained. The resources allowed by the various grants and hard work from all who support this corporation is to be commended."

Lastly, Cloverdale was commended for taking advantage of opportunities, which enhance and promote growth in faculty, staff and students.

"The district has developed a Leadership Academy to offer an opportunity for teacher leaders to continue to grow. The Leadership Academy is an exemplary approach and will continue to build teacher leaders and serves the district well," explained Taylor. "Teachers reflected positively to the QAR team about their participation in the Leadership Academy. This is a terrific idea that I plan to take home with me to Wyoming."

Overall, the QAR team interviewed five administrators, 50 teachers, 26 support staff, 18 parents and business partners, 66 students and three board of education members. The team also visited all three schools in the district before making its analysis.

Although, there is always room for improvement, the corporation will continue to focus on improving each year. The next review will be in five years.