Way to “Cowboy Up!” to all school systems that made the November 1 Improvement Report Deadline.  Excellent work, folks. AdvancED Wyoming knows that some data was late in arriving, but we allow you to modify your plans as needed. Consequently, very few saw this as a real obstacle this year. Good job! 

Now on to the next report.........we know it must absolutely feel that way. We do want to change that to the extent that we can in working with our friends at the Wyoming Department of Education. We want to help our school systems do what they need to do as effectively and efficiently as possible. We are aware of and appreciate all of the work you have in front of you. Let’s see if we cannot free our educators up to do what they do best---focus on education!

Attention: Campbell 1, Crook 1, Johnson 1, Sheridan 1, Sheridan 2, Sheridan 3, Weston 1, and Weston 7! 
School systems that hosted an External Review in the school year 2012-2013, the two-year report detailing how your Required Actions have been addressed is due December 1.  The expectation is that the work to improve identified areas of need is complete.

Attention: Albany 1, Carbon 1, Carbon 2, Goshen 1, Platte 1, Platte 2, Niobrara 1, Laramie 2! 
Please also submit your Accreditation Progress Report December 1. These school systems hosted an External Review in the school year 2013-2014. These systems need to describe in their Accreditation Progress Report how they plan to address the Required Actions. Required Actions from last year’s reviews are not expected to be entirely met, but the expectation is that plans are well developed and underway, or shortly will be. 

Both groups of school systems will be receiving specific instructions from Geri Fitzgerald of the AdvancED Wyoming Managing Office on how to complete these reports.  Be watching for emails from her. If you have questions, contact the AdvancED Wyoming Managing Office any time at 307.399.9819.

We have received the fall conference surveys and enjoy hearing all of the comments from our attendees. We do listen to you and your concerns; we also appreciate the kind words, of which there were many. Out of a five-point scale, the overall conference received a 4.06/5.00. This score is OK, but there are definite areas upon which we can improve. We plan to make that happen! Thank you to those who attended. 

The Spring Continuous Improvement Conference is March 2-3, 2015 in Casper. We hope to see you there. If you would like to present a session at the conference, please contact Geri Fitzgerald or Karan Wright for the proposal form or you may access the form on the AdvancED Wyoming Web page.  We have extended the proposal deadline to December 1. 

In Wyoming we are still learning about the power and impact of AdvancED School System Accreditation. AdvancED Wyoming realizes that there is information regarding “systems thinking” that can be added to the pool of understanding to help all of our stakeholders see how thinking and working systemically can have greater impact on overall objectives. 

School System Accreditation requires that the AdvancED Wyoming Managing Office monitor what the system does throughout the school year in regards to adhering to AdvancED Standards for Quality School Systems and engaging in continuous improvement.  The school systems themselves are expected to monitor what each school does in regards to AdvancED Protocol. 

The AdvancED Wyoming Managing Office communicates primarily with the “central office/system” personnel.  The expectation is that whatever information is sent from our office to the school system office will be shared with those who could benefit from the information. Communicating effectively within a system is vital.

School System Accreditation requires school systems to think “systemically.” This protocol does not expect to see individual, unrelated “silos.”  Instead, this protocol monitors the effectiveness of the overall system and how well each of the parts functions.  “Systems,” by their very nature, depend on the functionality of all of the parts to perform at optimum levels.  If any one part of the system is non-functional or dysfunctional, then other parts will not perform as well either.
 
AdvancED School System Accreditation along with the State Board of Education expects system leaders to lead functional systems. When the External Review Team comes onsite, its charge is to identify strengths, of course, but to also identify areas that are holding the overall system back from performing at its highest level.

AdvancED is not a “gotcha” organization. It primary purpose is to help our accredited institution continuously improve. No entity can improve without identifying areas in which they are weak. AdvancED serves as a “coach” to our network institutions.  We want everyone to succeed. Please take the External Review Team’s suggestions in the spirit in which they are meant—to help and inspire, not to discourage. If you have questions about AdvancED School System Accreditation, please contact our office.