On January 18, 2011, SACS placed the district’s accreditation of high schools on probation, pending the resolution by the Atlanta Board of Education of six “Required Actions” by September 30, 2011. In the meantime, the district’s high schools remain fully accredited, meaning that students are eligible to apply to colleges and universities of their choice and receive HOPE and other scholarships. APS elementary and middle schools are not impacted by the accreditation review.
Beverly Hall, Superindent of Atlanta Public Schools states this in her letter to Parents: “SACS based its decision soley on the Atlanta Board of Education goverance issues. The agency’s decision is not in any associated with the strenth of the insturctional grams in our schools. Our teachers and principals continue to work hard every day to ensure that your child recieves a high-quality education. That’s our number one priority.”
Board Chairman Khaatim Sherrer El said the district is taking the report very seriously and will address all of the concerns in a transparent manner. “I want to make this absolutely clear, retention of our accreditation is a top priority for this board and administration because the academic standing and reputation of the district is at stake,” he said.
Atlantans have a history of coming together to rise above even the toughest of challenges. What do YOU think? Will the APS parents, leaders and govering officals pull together to fix the issues of the probation?
Click here to view the report from SACS.
Here are the six recommendations from SACS:
1. Develop and implement a long term plan to communicate with and engage stakeholders in the work of the district to achieve the board’s mission for educating the students of Atlanta Public Schools. The plan should focus on efforts that will regain stakeholders’ trust and confidence in the governance and leadership of Atlanta Public Schools.
2. Secure and actively use the services of a trained, impartial professional mediator who will work with the board members to resolve communication, operational and personal issues impeding the effectiveness of the governing body.
3. Ensure that the actions and behavior of all board members are aligned with board policies, especially those related to ethics and chain of command, and AdvancED/SACS CASI Accreditation Standards and policies.
4. Review and refine policies to promote the processes that are needed to achieve the board’s mission in the education of the Atlanta Public School students. The board members shall provide evidence that they have refocused all of their energies on improving the teaching and learning processes for all their students.
5. Develop and implement a process for selecting a superintendent that is transparent during all phases, engages public participation, and demonstrates integrity throughout the process. It is strongly suggested that the final selection of the superintendent should be determined by more than a simple majority vote of approval by the board.
6. Work directly with the state of Georgia to address the inconsistencies in the Atlanta Independent School System Charter so as to ensure alignment with system policies and governing Board actions.