Blue Ribbon Supporters

On

Sparq Data

US Bank

Hausmann

A year ago, the NRCSA Executive Committee approved the start of a corporate sponsorship/ partnership program. One of the benefits for our upper level Purple Ribbon Partners is the opportunity to submit an article for the monthly Member Update. This month we proudly recognize:

Cognia

Maximize the Impact of Accountability and Accreditation

In the United States, more than 58 million students are enrolled each year in public, private, and homebased K-12 schools. The goal of the nation’s system is to provide what every parent wants for their children: a quality education that will enable every student to achieve their highest potential as an individual, be ready for college and career, serve effectively as a citizen of a free society, and finding a fulfilling role in a changing global marketplace.

The United States relies on two separate systems—staterun accountability and required state accreditation and/ or voluntary regional accreditation—to know whether schools are meeting academic requirements and fiduciary responsibilities, and whether they can deliver the results we expect.

Typically, accreditation and accountability yield distinct results that may seem to be at cross purposes. Together, however, these programs can provide complementary data and insights. A special report by Dr. Mark Elgart, President and CEO of Cognia, outlines how accountability, regional accreditation based on continuous improvement, and state policies can work together in mutually reinforcing ways to improve K–12 education. Read the report, The Role of Accountability Systems and Regional Accreditation in Improving K–12 Education.