Thinking Schools Accreditation Process
Getting Started
The accreditation process is a descriptive, reflective process that includes data collection and analysis, and is undertaken by schools to assess their development as a Thinking School. Throughout the accreditation process schools work closely with an Accrediting Partner (AP), typically a regional university. An AP assists the school in conducting a comprehensive review of its progress, determining its current status, and making recommendations for further growth and development.
During the Initiation and Preparation periods, the first steps of the Accreditation Process, the AP guides the school in clarifying its understanding of and goals for the Accreditation Process. The AP works closely with the school, through e-mail, telephone, and video-conferencing to assist the school in launching the self-study and providing ongoing support to the school throughout those steps of the process as it prepares its documentation. A representative from the Accrediting Partner meets (in-person or online) with the Drive Team to explain the process, clarify the 5 Key Categories for Reflection and the 15 Criteria associated with them. The AP assists the school in establishing a preliminary timeline for the accreditation process, including the all-important Self-Study. Requirements for submitting a web-based portfolio of the school’s self-study are explained and any technical support the school needs is discussed. The AP remains available to the school for consultation as the school proceeds with its self-study and throughout the remaining steps in the process.
For more information regarding the process, identifying an Accrediting Partner, and the honorarium associated with this, please contact:
Larry Alper, Executive Director at Thinking Foundation
Phone: +1 (802) 254-5403
Email: lalper@sover.net
Skype: larryalper
