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The Accrediting Commission for Schools, WASC, is pleased to be working with international schools to provide evaluation and accreditation services. ACS WASC accreditation is an ongoing cycle of quality whereby schools demonstrate the capacity, commitment, and competence to support high-quality student learning and ongoing school improvement. The ACS WASC Focus on Learning protocol guides schools into an ongoing improvement process that includes implementation, assessment, and refinement of the schoolwide action plan on an annual basis. Appropriate reports and reviews throughout the cycle of accreditation support this process. ACS WASC works closely with the East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) in the East Asia region.

ACS WASC International Flyer

Getting Started

• ACS WASC Affiliation Steps for International Schools
• ACS WASC International Affiliation Request
• ACS WASC International Initial Visit Procedures, 2019 Edition

The Initial Visit School Description template will be provided once it is determined that a school or program may be eligible for affiliation with ACS WASC; this form is NOT available on the ACS WASC website.

Initial Visit and Notification

On receipt of the forms and approval to proceed, ACS WASC will arrange for a two-member, one- or two-day initial visit to the school. Following the visit, the visiting committee will prepare a report to present to ACS WASC for action. This report will include recommendations regarding the school’s ongoing improvement.

The school will be notified of the Commission’s action. If the Commission’s action is favorable, the school will be granted either initial accreditation or candidacy for a period of time not to exceed three years. The Initial Visit Procedures Manual details the distinction between initial and candidacy status which is based on the degree to which the school is meeting the ACS WASC criteria.

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Self-Study Visiting Committee Materials

ACS WASC Focus on Learning, 2017 International Edition

Visiting Committee Chair and Member Checklists

• Visiting Committee Chair Expectations
• Visiting Committee Chair Checklist
• Visiting Committee Member Checklist

Visiting Committee Templates

• Previsit Letter to Members: Initial Contact Letter Template for International Schools
• Previsit Letter to Members: Confirmation Letter Template for International Schools
• Previsit Preparation Worksheet Template | Google Drive (Docs) Template
  NOTE: In order to use Google Drive templates, you should make a copy of it in your Google Drive. The file can then be renamed and shared with your team. Click here for detailed information about using Google Drive templates.
• International Visit Schedule Template
• ACS WASC Accreditation Status Recommendation (Ballot): The preprinted ballot is only available from the ACS WASC Office and is included with the chair materials. Don’t forget to bring it to the visit to obtain the necessary signatures from your team
• ACS WASC International FOL Documentation and Justification Statement Template | Google Drive (Docs) Template
  NOTE: In order to use Google Drive templates, you should make a copy of it in your Google Drive. The file can then be renamed and shared with your team. Click here for detailed information about using Google Drive templates.
• ACS WASC Visiting Committee Report Template | Google Drive (Docs) Template
  NOTE: In order to use Google Drive templates, you should make a copy of it in your Google Drive. The file can then be renamed and shared with your team. Click here for detailed information about using Google Drive templates.
• ACS WASC Visiting Committee Final Presentation Template for International Schools (PowerPoint file)

Evaluation Forms

• Accreditation Visit Evaluation Form (to be filled out by the principal or head of school)
• Visiting Committee Chairperson Evaluation Form
• Visiting Committee Member Evaluation Form

References and Samples

• ACS WASC International Accreditation Status Explanation
• ACS WASC International Accreditation Status Determination Worksheet
• ACS WASC Expense Reimbursement Form
• ACS WASC Sample Schedule for Self-Study Visit
• ACS WASC International Travel Insurance Information
• Visiting Committee Report Layout

Reference Cards

• Reference Card 1: Procedures/Responsibilities of Visiting Committee Members
• Reference Card 2: Tips: Gathering, Reviewing, Analyzing Data/Information
• Reference Card 3: ACS WASC Focus on Learning Schoolwide Criteria for International Schools
• Reference Card 4: ACS WASC Focus on Learning Visiting Committee Report Format for International Schools
• Reference Card 5: ACS WASC Focus on Learning Accreditation Status Determination for International Schools
• Reference Card 6: ACS WASC Criteria Concepts for International Schools

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Other Visits and Report Materials

School Materials

Most international schools follow the same procedures, dependent upon the accreditation status that they have received. Appropriate information can be found in the following documents.

• International Interim Progress Report: School Progress Report Template
• International Mid-cycle Visit: Procedures | School Progress Report Template
• ACS WASC Probationary Visit: Procedures | School Progress Report Template
• ACS WASC Progress Visit: Procedures| School Progress Report Template
• Substantive Changes: Procedures | Substantive Change Explanation Form

Visiting Committee Materials

• International Mid-Cycle Visits
• Mid-cycle Visits
• Probationary Visits
• Progress Visits
• Substantive Change Visits

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Training

International schools: ACS WASC will offer a post ACAMIS Spring Leadership Conference self-study and visiting committee workshop on Sunday, March 8, 2020. Click here for additional information.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]