TSAP Accrediting Partners Institute
What is the TSAP Accrediting Partners Institute (API)?
Thinking Foundation seeks to develop Accrediting Partners in regions where there are Thinking Schools. We believe that locally based organizations, such as universities, offer invaluable perspectives on the local culture, traditions, and the prevailing conditions in which aspiring Thinking Schools are working, as well as the ability to connect participating Thinking Schools to a rich array of resources to support them on their ongoing journey. Toward that end, Thinking Foundation has developed an Accrediting Partners Institute (API) for working with universities and other organizations to build their knowledge base in the approaches to becoming a Thinking School and their capacity to conduct the TSAP in a highly effective and collaborative manner.

Accrediting Partners work with Thinking Foundation faculty to learn about all aspects of the process involved when schools elect to begin the journey of developing as a Thinking School. Their understanding of the Growing Thinking Schools from the Inside Out framework is crucial to their ability to help schools determine where they are in their developmental journey of becoming a Thinking School and to use the TSAP to further guide and inspire their efforts.

During the first three days of the Accrediting Partners Institute (API), teams from participating organizations work with TF faculty to:

  • understand the purposes and processes associated with the Growing Thinking Schools framework and the 3 guiding principles that provide the foundation for this transformational approach to school change.
  • become familiar with 5 dimensions for developing thinking and the range of pathways available to schools for introducing these dimensions into their practices.
  • learn 3 specific student-centered models—Thinking Points, Open Minds, and the Reflective Action Process (RAP)-- offered by Thinking Schools International to schools for building their foundation as a Thinking School.

In the final three-day session of the API, participants work with the TF faculty to:

  • understand the purposes and overall design of the TSAP formative review and formal accreditation processes.
  • know, understand, and learn how to use the 5 Key Areas for Reflection and the associated 15 Criteria and Accreditation Rubric that form the underpinning of the TSAP.
  • learn how to effectively support and guide schools through the self-study portion of the TSAP and the formal accreditation process using the portfolio design.
  • learn how to work as a reflective coach with those schools that choose to participate in a formative review
  • plan for building and sustaining an effective Accrediting Partner team within their setting.

For more information about becoming an Accrediting Partner and the costs and opportunities associated with it, please contact:

Larry Alper, Executive Director at Thinking Foundation
Phone: +1 (802) 254-5403
Email: lalper@sover.net
Skype: larryalper