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Summer 2009 Gold Standard Published ...
The Summer 2009 edition of the Commission's semi-annual Gold Standard newsletter is now available online here. You can subscribe to the e-mail version of the newsletter through the signup list on the home page. All Heads of Schools, Districts, and Team Chairs are automatically subscribed to the newsletter.

Summer 2008 Gold Standard Published ...
The Summer 2008 edition of the Commission's semi-annual Gold Standard newsletter is now available online here. You can subscribe to the e-mail version of the newsletter through the signup list on the home page. All Heads of Schools, Districts, and Team Chairs are automatically subscribed to the newsletter.

2008-09 Workshop Registration is now Available

You are invited to explore our many workshop offerings for Spring 2008-Spring 2009. All workshops are designed to support schools involved in the AFG, Reflections, or Excellence by Design self-study. Attending workshops is strongly encouraged as you embark upon the accreditation or reaccreditation process, and will help your school gain maximum benefits and helpful insights as you prepare to host a visiting team. Workshops are also recommended to orient new administrators or internal coordinators to Middle States accreditation. Our staff and special presenters will work with you on how to best apply various aspects of the accreditation process to your school. All registration is easily completed on line. Click on “Workshops and Meetings” for details.

U.S. News & World Report on America’s Best High Schools and Top Catholic Schools Include 78 CSS and CIWA Member Schools

The December 10, 2007 issue of U.S. News & World Report had as its cover story a report on America’s best high schools which included the top 100 schools selected from more than 18,000 high schools from across the country for Gold Medal designation. Twenty-six Gold Medal designees were in the Middle States region (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland; DC was not included) and fourteen of those selected are CSS or CIWA members.

In addition nine of the top fifty Catholic High Schools in the U.S. are in the Middle States Region and more than seventy-five percent of those schools are MSA accredited.

The two reports confirm Middle States Accreditation as the Gold Standard

The five state region also had Silver and Bronze Medal designees bringing the total number of MSA members selected for recognition to 78.

For further information on the reports please visit www.usnews.com/highschools and www.catholic.org. A list of the recognized schools can be found here.

Winter 2008 Gold Standard Published ...
The Winter 2008 edition of the Commission's semi-annual Gold Standard newsletter is now available online here. You can subscribe to the e-mail version of the newsletter through the signup list on the home page. All Heads of Schools, Districts, and Team Chairs are automatically subscribed to the newsletter.

CIWA Welcomes a New Staff Member ...
Kelly Christian has joined the CIWA staff in the position of Assistant Director for CIWA. Kelly has a B.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University and has experience abroad including a semester of study in Spain and working with students in Latin America and Africa. Kelly will be taking over the team building and day-to-day contact with the overseas schools. Kelly can be contacted at kchristian<at>css-msa.org.

Commission Approves Two New Credentials
At its October 2007 meeting, the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools approved two new credentials, bringing to four the number of credentials accredited schools can seek in addition to the Gold Standard of accreditation. The Music Credential will recognize schools with overall music education and music performance programs. The Service Learning Credential will recognize schools with a carefully planned, ongoing program that integrates service to the community into the academic curriculum. The previously approved credentials are the International Credential and the World Languages Credential. Contact the Commission’s office for more information and details.

Spanish versions of Parent and Student Survey available ...
Spanish Versions of both the Parents and Student Standards surveys are now available online here . These surveys are also available on Survey Monkey by contacting jgreen<at>css-msa.org.

Accreditation for Growth , Edition 4B, Published ...
The updated version of MSA's strategic planning protocol, Accreditation for Growth , is now avaialble online. The updated self-study guide and self-study template can be found here . Updates include the latest Standards for Accreditation and a new self-study template

Reflections on Standards of Quality , 2nd Edition, Published ...
The updated version of MSA's traditional protocol, Reflections on Standards of Quality , is now avaialble online. The updated self-study guide and self-study template can be found here . Updates include the latest Standards for Accreditation and a new self-study template which lets schools complete their self-study as a "form"

CSS Approves Revised Standards for Accreditation for Schools...
The Commission on Secondary Schools, in a joint effort with the Commission on Elementary Schools, has approved the proposed revisions to the Standards for Accreditation for Schools. The three-year process of review was led by a committee of representatives from both Commissions. The new standards will be used by schools entering the self-study phase of accreditation in the 2007-2008 school year and by the Commission as a guide in their decision making with schools discussed for action beginning in the Fall of 2008. For more information, please contact Dr. Kenneth Kastle at kkastle<at>css-msa.org.

The Gold Standard published...
The Commission on Secondary Schools now publishes a quarterly newsletter titled, The Gold Standard. It is mailed to primary contacts of all members schools, trained team chairs, and other affiliated volunteers. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact James Green at jgreen<at>css-msa.org. It can also be viewed on our website.

Third Party Comments Invited...
Written comments are invited regarding schools and school districts with career and technology programs that will be evaluated by the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools for initial or renewed accreditation in order to qualify to administer federal Title IV financial aid programs. For a complete list of these schools, visit our Notice of Intent page. For more information, contact Dr. Kenneth Kastle at kkastle<at>css-msa.org.

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