For the past two years, consistent with AdvancED’s policy that Standards be reviewed every five years, AdvancED Accreditation Standards have been under review and subsequent development.  The current Standards have been in place since 2007.  So, just as schools and districts are subject to a rigorous process of review and continuous improvement, our AdvancED Standards have undergone a similar process.  The review of these Standards allowed AdvancED to look at current education quality and research, as well as the knowledge gained from everyday application by schools and districts, and make appropriate updates.  In February, the AdvancED Accreditation Commission approved the new Standards for schools and for school systems, for the 2012-2013 school year and will become effective July 1, 2012. 
Members of the AdvancED staff are hard at work updating support materials including new Self-Assessment tools for schools and school systems.  We also are developing training for our schools and schools systems on the new Standards, which will be rolled out in fall 2011.  We will provide accredited institutions with the tools and resources needed to smoothly transition to the new Standards.  More information will be available as the process continues.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact our office.