CCSS Accreditation for Growth

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Reach for the Stars Graphic Cedar Chapel Special School's
Accreditation for Growth

"Touching the minds that touch the world"

Mission Statement

Cedar Chapel Special School, a unique, alternative learning environment, empowers all students to become responsible life-long learners, productive citizens, and contributing members of society. We will accomplish this through excellence in teaching, partnerships with family and community, and celebration of diversity in a safe and caring environment.

"AFG involves key people in creating a vision of the future,
rather than letting the future happen to the school."

Accreditation for Growth (AFG) is a process developed by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools to evaluate school programs, facilities and growth in student performance.

The Strategic Planning Team (SPT) is composed to key members that oversee the entire AFG process and meet monthly to ensure continuous momentum toward our objectives. Currently SPT is reviewing the twelve Middle States Association (MSA) Standards which are criteria used to evaluate our successes and highlight our needs. The following are the twelve standards.

1. Philosophy, Mission Beliefs, and/or Objectives	7. Student Life and Student Activities
2. Governance and Leadership	8. Facilities
3. Organizational Design and Staff	9. Health and Safety
4. Educational Programs	10. Finances
5. Learning Media Services and Technology	11. Assessment of Student Learning
6. Student Services	12. Planning

Cedar Chapel fosters an environment of change through a Strategic Planning Process of School Improvement

Objectives

By the year 2010, CCSS students will demonstrate improvement in student performance as measured by:

ALT-MSA
IEP/ Progress Reports
Technology Checklist
Life Skills Curriculum

By the year 2010, CCSS students will demonstrate the ability to access community resources as measured by:

Inclusion Opportunities
Community Opportunities
After School Activities

By the year 2010, CCSS students will demonstrate career-planning skills as measured by:

Work Experience Program
Career / Technology Portfolios
Certificate of Completion
Post-Graduation Programs

Organizational Beliefs

We believe that every student can learn and must have equal access to a public education which promotes optimal individual growth.
We believe every child is unique and different from every other child.
We believe that the public school program must be based on the needs, characteristics, interests, and capacities of the children it serves.
We believe that the student, family, and community must be involved in the educational process.

To achieve this mission, we must have clearly defined goals fully supported by our community. All resources - human, material, and financial, must be concentrated on goals of continuous improvement in student learning.