Beginning this month, Heartland will have the first of three Department of Education visits as part of the Agency’s accreditation process. The central purpose of accreditation visits is to help area education agencies improve the quality and focus of their services. AEAs undergo this review process every five years, and Heartland’s last accreditation visit was in 2005.
The visits this year will be divided into three distinct components and spread out over a three-month span. A 15-member accreditation team made up of Department of Education and school district personnel will be present at the Johnston office on the following days:
• March 10 & 11
• April 20-22
• May 12 & 13
March 10 & 11 - Document Review
During the first component of the accreditation visit, the accreditation team will review such agency documentation as our Annual Progress Report, Comprehensive Improvement Plan and budget among other documentation.
April 20-22 - On-site Interviews
Members of our internal staff, as well as district staff, will be interviewed to discuss their experiences and perspectives on our services. Internal interviewees have already been selected. If you have not already been contacted to be a part of the accreditation interview, you will not be expected to participate.
May 12 & 13 - Wrap Up
The accreditation team will review compiled information, give recommendations for improvement and begin the development of a draft report. The DE’s final report will be shared with you when it is completed. Members of the Heartland accreditation team have worked diligently all year in preparation for our accreditation visit and feel confident that the visit will be a success. If you have questions about the accreditation process, you may contact Dave Tilly, Kristi Upah, Andrea Matheson or Alecia Rahn-Blakeslee, who are members of the accreditation team.
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