School Zone
Superintendent’s Message: DCPS Recommended for High-level District Accreditation
In September 2007, Duval County Public Schools began the process of seeking district accreditation by conducting a standards assessment review. The accreditation process culminated the week of October 5, 2008, when a 32-member Quality Assurance Review Team (QART) from the AdvancED /Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (AdvancED) visited Duval County to evaluate and confirm our work. On October 8, Duval County Public Schools was recommended for accreditation at a special school board meeting. Members of the QART discussed their findings and made recommendations based on visits to 30 schools and interviews with numerous staff, principals, parents, community stakeholders and business partners.
The school district was recommended for “Accreditation Without Reservation.” Other categories that some school districts have received are “Advised”, Warned”, and “Probation.” Because of the commitment and dedication of ALL employees, we received a very favorable Oral Exit Report. A more detailed report will be sent to us within 30 days regarding each of the seven standards.
Previously, each of our schools was fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement. The district accreditation process is designed to help schools and districts continuously improve through a unified, clear and powerful approach. Through this long-established method of accrediting schools, AdvancED will continue to provide ongoing external checks, support and feedback.
Receiving district accreditation validates how well all of the parts of our education system – the district, school and classroom – work together to meet the needs of all students. It provided us with a comprehensive framework for continually improving student achievement and district performance, as well as confirms our district’s efforts to provide quality education for all our students and recognizes our accomplishments.
Thank you to everyone who helped us throughout this important process. This brings us one step closer to becoming the best large urban school district in the country.
Ed Pratt-Dannals
Superintendent
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