Aichi International School WASC Accreditation Overview
What is WASC accreditation?
WASC accreditation is a process schools use to monitor student learning and set school improvement goals. WASC accreditation is an ongoing cycle of quality. Schools assess their program and the impact on student learning with respect to the WASC criteria and other accreditation factors. Through a six-year accreditation cycle, schools are expected to commit to a schoolwide action plan and demonstrate evidence of acceptable student achievement and school improvement.
Why Accreditation?
AIS benefits from being one of only two WASC schools in the Tokai area because accreditation:
1. Certifies to the public that the school is a trustworthy institution of learning.
2. Validates the integrity of a school’s program and student transcripts.
3. Fosters improvement of the school’s programs and operations to support student learning.
4. Assures a school community that the school’s purposes are appropriate and being accomplished through a viable educational program.
5. Provides a way to manage change through regular assessment, planning, implementing, monitoring, and reassessment.
6. Assists a school in establishing its priority areas for improvement as a result of the perpetual accreditation cycle.
Focus on Learning – Improving Student Learning
Focus on Learning is an ongoing school improvement process that assists a school in an in-depth look at what currently exists and what needs to be improved in relation to student learning and the school’s program. Basic concepts addressed in this process focus upon student success in meeting schoolwide learner outcomes and academic standards (i.e., what all students should know and be able to do by graduation). They are:
1. How well are the students achieving?
2. Is the school doing everything possible to support high achievement for all its students?
Parent Feedback
Feedback from AIS parents is a vital tool for supporting the school improvement process and guiding learning expectations for your children. Along with daily communication with teachers and leadership, AIS also seeks parent sentiment in an annual survey. Parents are also invited to share their opinions about the school with the WASC visiting teams.