Cognia Monitoring Review Report November 2023 Findings- DeKalb County School District

                       DeKalb County School
                             District
                           Monitoring Review
                      Report Findings and Next Steps
                                      March 6, 2024
                                     André L. Harrison
                           Vice-Président, Accreditation Services
                            Email: andre.harrison@cognia.org


© 2024 Cognia, Inc.
… for your continuous support and partnership!
            Our Vision
    To impact and inspire education
    providers to advance and enable
  pathways for success for all learners

           Our Mission
To serve as a trusted partner in advancing
                 learning
                                             3
What is Accreditation?
An international protocol for
institutions committed to
systematic and sustainable
improvement:
• Builds capacity of your
    institution to improve and
    sustain student learning
• Stimulates and improves
    effectiveness and
    efficiency throughout
    your institution
 Context
Summary Timeline
• 12/31/1933 - Druid Hills High School, within the
  DeKalb County School District, received initial
  accreditation
• 12/26/2005 - Candidate for System Accreditation
• 12/8/2007 - Achieved System Accreditation
• 03/20-25/2022 – Most Recent Accreditation
  Engagement Review (AER)
• Monitoring Reviews held following 2022 AER
    • November 2022
    • November 2023
 Types of Cognia Reviews
Per Policy, Cognia may conduct a
variety of reviews including
• Engagement Reviews – routinely
  scheduled, periodic
   • *Remote
• Special Reviews – typically resulting
  through the Complaint Process
   • On-site
• Monitoring Reviews – as warranted,
  needed, prescribed
   • On-site

 *Explanation
  Monitoring Review Date & Team
• Dates of Monitoring Review
  • November 1-3, 2023
• Monitoring Review Team
  • Lead Evaluator (SC)
  • Team Member (GA)
  • Team Member (AL)
Monitoring Review Team Activities
 Activities
 •Review of evidence
 •Interviews
 •Deliberations
 •Writing the Monitor
  Review Report
   Purpose of Monitoring Review
• The purpose of the Monitoring Review for
  DeKalb County School District (DCSD)
  focused on the district’s progress toward
  addressing the Areas of Improvement from
  the previous Monitoring Review
   • Cognia Performance Standard 1.5
       • Leadership Capacity
           • Institution Progress Report
           • Directives
   • Insights from the Review
       • Next steps
Performance Standards Results-Reported in four ratings


    RATING                                        DESCRIPTION
                  Identifies areas with insufficient evidence or evidence that indicated little
   INSUFFICIENT
                  or no activity leading toward improvement
                  Represents areas to enhance and extend current improvement efforts
   INITIATING
                  Pinpoints quality practices that are improving and meet the Standards
   IMPROVING
                  Demonstrates noteworthy practices producing clear results that positively
   IMPACTING      impact the institution
Interviews
Stakeholder Group            Number of Participants

Superintendent                                    1
Regional Superintendents                          5
School Board Members                              7
Selected School Principals                        5
Community Members                                 2
TOTAL                                            21
   Directives
• Review and renew board member commitment to the
  vision and mission of the DeKalb County School District
  and board member role and responsibility regarding the
  overall success of the district and learning outcomes for all
  students.
• Engage in a thoughtful and reflective review of recent
  Board Self-Assessment results to determine areas of focus
  and next steps.
• Examine current structures in place that support efficient
  and effective Board operations.
• Ensure meetings are conducted following the prescribed
  procedures outlined in Robert’s Rules of Order.
• Determine and commit to adhering to processes as
  outlined in the Board Handbook when board members
  are not following policy or the principles of the district.
Performance Standard 1.5: The governing authority adheres to a code
of ethics and functions within defined roles and responsibilities.


     RATING                                        DESCRIPTION
                   Identifies areas with insufficient evidence or evidence that indicated little
    INSUFFICIENT
                   or no activity leading toward improvement
                   Represents areas to enhance and extend current improvement efforts
    INITIATING
                   Pinpoints quality practices that are improving and meet the Standards
    IMPROVING
                   Demonstrates noteworthy practices producing clear results that positively
   IMPACTING       impact the institution
Next Steps
• Upon receiving the Monitoring Review Report, the
  institution is encouraged to implement the following
  steps:
    • Review and share the findings with stakeholders.
    • Ensure the Board fully implements effective board
        governance best practices from professional
        learning sessions.
    • Continue revising the Board Member Handbook.
    • Regularly revise and update policies and
        procedures to ensure all are current and relevant.
    • Host its routine Accreditation Engagement
        Review prior to June 30, 2027, since the district
        has met the expectations for Cognia
        Performance Standard 1.5.
• Accreditation Status
    • Accredited
Knowledge is Opportunity




         Thank You!