FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you don't find the answer to your question here, feel free to email us (info<at>css-msa.org), or give us a call at 215-662-5603.

What are accreditation standards?
Middle States representative members conduct periodic reviews of the standards to be used for all accredited members. These standards are not to be confused with learning, curriculum, or content standards established by each state for the schools within its jurisdiction. Composed of those features of a quality educational institution, accreditation standards vary depending on the type of institution or accreditation desired. All member institutions are required to conduct a self-evaluation of those standards as part of the accreditation process, and the standards are the lens through which accreditation decisions are made. For a full listing of the four sets of standards currently used by CSS, CIWA, and CES institutions, please visit the standards section of our publication page.

How much does accreditation cost?

Middle States offers a variety of methods of earning accreditation. Final costs depend on the protocol chosen, the location of the school, the size of the school, and the extent to which a school invests in its self-study process. Costs common to all schools are annual membership dues, evaluation preparation fees, and the costs associated with hosting a visiting team for approximately three days and nights. Additional expenses are incurred by accreditation maintenance activities that occur occasionally during the course of the accreditation cycle. Again, those will be determined by the protocol chosen. In some cases, a one-day, one-person visit is required (and travel expenses are charged) every two to three years. In others, schools are asked to write in-depth reports involving large segments of the school population. Most manuals for each of the protocols give a clear breakdown of the costs associated with that protocol.

How long does accreditation last?

Typically, once accreditation is earned, it is renewed on a seven-year cycle that involves an intensive self-study process conducted by the school, an on-site three-day visit by a team of professional educators, and on-site mid-point reviews in the form of a one-day, one-person visit. In some cases, accreditation is granted for five years, but the protocol is actually a ten-year cycle of activities. Some protocols accepted by Middle States (especially those that are collaborative in nature) are also structured differently. In all cases, the Commission clearly outlines the date of expiration and the maintenance requirements for continued accreditation of each school.

Who decides if a school is accredited?

All accreditation decisions are made by the Commission on Secondary Schools. Those decisions are based on input from the visiting team, recommendations by the staff, and recommendations of the various advisory committees. The Commission meets twice a year to vote on all accreditation matters.

What is accredited? The school, the program, or the district?

The Commission on Secondary Schools accredits individual schools. While districts often participate in K-12 accreditation activities through CIWA, the district itself is not accredited; only the individual schools within the district are accredited. Likewise, the individual programs within a school are not accredited; the school as a whole is accredited.

How do I decide which protocol to use?

School leaders should take several factors into consideration when deciding which protocol a school should use for accreditation. CSS recommends a thorough review of the components of each protocol before deciding. Conversations with other schools who have utilized the various protocols are also recommended. Workshops giving overviews of each of the CSS protocols are available, as well as overview booklets outlining the major characteristics of each protocol.

Among the factors to consider in making a decision are 1) a school's interest in or history of strategic planning, 2) other school improvement initiatives required of the school and how they align with CSS protocols, and 3) the extent of a school's desire be held accountable for student performance through measurable objectives. Yet another consideration is the need to examine the policies and programs of each subject learning area.

What do I need to know if I plan to serve on a visiting team?

Volunteers are sent a copy of the Visiting Team Member Guide along with invitation to serve. This Guide outlines the expectations of the team member, the hosting school, and the that of the team member's school. Team members are not reimbursed for their service, but have all travel, lodging, and meal expenses covered by the hosting school. Expectations, in terms of interviewing and writing duties, are explained to team members by the chair of the team in an opening orientation meeting at the beginning of the visit.

How do I get invited to serve on a visiting team?

Nomination forms are updated at least annually (usually twice a year for each visiting season) by the head of each member school. The forms ask for the names, contact information, areas of speciality, and experience levels of staff members who are willing and able to serve on either a traditional style team or on one of the newer strategic planning protocol teams (AFG or VTV ). MSA staff members use a randomizing program with established parameters for each visiting team with these forms to identify educators from similar types of schools to serve on visiting teams. Occasionally, staff are notified of interested volunteers at workshops, as well.

Can I receive professional development credit for my Middle States work?

The states of Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania (Act 48) have instituted requirements for continuing education through professional development activities for teacher and administrator certifications. Middle States is an approved provider in all three states. Educators who serve on accreditation teams earn fifteen (15) hours, attendance at overview workshops earns four (4) hours, and attendance at chair training earns six (6) hours. Participants must request certificates of attendance or provide needed information for submission of attendance (depending on the state for which hours are being accumulated), since many participants are not certified in either Delaware, New Jersey, nor Pennsylvania. Educators interested in earning hours for work accomplished during the self-study phase of accreditation should apply directly to the school or district for hours, since Middle States does not "provide" oversight of those activities.

When is a good time to have a team visit a school?

Because most visitors to a school are from a similar type of school, a look at the school's calendar will often give a clear picture of which dates should NOT be requested for a team visit. For instance, we do not schedule visits during the month of September. At that time, most schools are still attempting to establish routines, set courses and sometimes determine staffing needs. Few teachers or administrators will accept invitations to be away from their schools during this month. Likewise, the latter part of May and early June are often filled with culminating activities and is another inconvenient time for visits. We also recommend staying away from the week before or after Easter as many schools plan vacations at that time. The early weeks of December are also busy times for many schools. We tend to shy away from January and early February because of bad weather concerns.

The choice of a fall or spring visit is purely an individual school preference at this point. The team visit is often a cause for celebration at the school, and as such may be an excellent way to re-vitalize the school in the middle of the fall or spring. Others simply look for a week that allows organizers time to prepare and time to relax before and after the visit.

How do I find out if a school is accredited?

Elsewhere on this website you can find a searchable directory of our membership. You are always welcome to call our office at (215-662-5603) and ask about a specific school.

What are the other regional accrediting agencies?

Other regional accrediting agencies in the U.S. are Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, and New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Other commissions in the Middle States Association are the Commission on Elementary Schools and the Commission on Higher Education. The Committee on Institution-Wide Accreditation (CIWA) does not accredit schools, but its members are accredited by both the Commission on Elementary Schools and the Commission on Secondary Schools.