DeKalb County School District

Search

SACS CASI Accreditation

Accreditation

The DeKalb County School District received its SACS CASI accreditation in February 2007. AdvancED, the parent organization of SACS CASI, requires accredited school systems to participate in the accreditation process every five years. This process takes over a year to complete, so we have already begun preparations for our next SACS CASI visit tentatively scheduled for early 2012. The "Accreditation Timeline" outlines this process and will be updated to reflect completed tasks.

AdvancED

2007 Accreditation

  • .pdf link icon Oral Exit Report (2007) [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/sacs-casi-oral-exit-report-(2007).pdf ]
  • .pdf link icon District Self Study (2007) [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/sacs-casi-district-self-study-(2007).pdf ]

AdvancED's Request for Information

AdvancED requested information on seven topics on July 28, 2010 to determine our compliance with its standards and policies for accredited school systems. The initial thirty day deadline was extended to September 11, 2010 in recognition of the beginning of the school year. The opens in same window icon Board of Education [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/board-of-education ] acknowledged and discussed this request at its meeting on August 6, 2010, and a complete response was sent to SACS CASI on September 9, 2010. SACS CASI responded on October 28, 2010.

AdvancED's Special Review Team Visit

On November 12, 2010, SACS CASI announced via .pdf link icon letter [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/sacs-casi-special-review-team-visit.pdf ] its forthcoming arrival to conduct a special review team visit on January 25–26, 2011. The expectations of the visit include coordinating communication with the District's contact person and AdvancED's office, arranging interviews/meetings with internal leadership and key stakeholders, and providing any documents or information as requested by the team, which is anticipated to consist of five to six members. The team is slated to arrive on the afternoon of January 24, 2011.

  • .pdf link icon SACS CASI Request for Information [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/sacs-casi-request-for-information-(2010-07-28).pdf ]
  • .asx link icon Board of Education Meeting to Acknowledge Receipt of SACS CASI Request for Information [ http://view.liveindexer.com/ASXGenerator.aspx?mediaSKU=%2b24PiNOzGNZjYbMja%2bpFlQ%3d%3d ]
  • .pdf link icon SACS CASI / DeKalb County School District Joint Press Release [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/sacs-casi-dcss-joint-press-release-(2010-08-11).pdf ] (11 Aug 2010)
  • .pdf link icon DeKalb County School District Response to SACS CASI Request for Information [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-response-to-sacs-casi-request-for-information-(2010-09-09).pdf ]
    • .pdf link icon Item 1 [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-supporting-evidence-item1.pdf ] 57MB
    • .pdf link icon Item 2 (1 of 2) [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-supporting-evidence-item2-1of2.pdf ] 72MB
    • .pdf link icon Item 2 (2 of 2) [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-supporting-evidence-item2-2of2.pdf ] 51MB
    • .pdf link icon Item 3 (1 of 3) [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-supporting-evidence-item3-1of3.pdf ] 34MB
    • .pdf link icon Item 3 (2 of 3) [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-supporting-evidence-item3-2of3.pdf ] 48MB
    • .pdf link icon Item 3 (3 of 3) [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-supporting-evidence-item3-3of3.pdf ]
    • .pdf link icon Item 4 [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-supporting-evidence-item4.pdf ] 31MB
    • .pdf link icon Item 5 [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-supporting-evidence-item5.pdf ]
    • .pdf link icon Item 6 [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-supporting-evidence-item6.pdf ] 14MB
    • .pdf link icon Item 7 [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-supporting-evidence-item7.pdf ]
  • .pdf link icon SACS CASI Response to DeKalb County School District [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/sacs-casi-response-to-dcss-(2010-10-28).pdf ] (28 Oct 2010)
  • .pdf link icon DeKalb County School District Press Release [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-press-release-(2010-10-28).pdf ] (28 Oct 2010)
  • .pdf link icon Special Review Team Visit Announcement [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/sacs-casi-special-review-team-visit.pdf ]

AdvancED's Special Review Team Report

On March 3, 2011, the district received a letter from Dr. Mark Elgart along with the report from the AdvancED Special Review Team's visit January 24–26, 2011. The report included eight required actions that the district was charged to act upon prior to October 31, 2011. DeKalb County Schools immediately formed teams and began working to identify and implement the corrective steps to address the required actions noted in the report. On October 3, 2011, the district submitted the Institution Progress Report and supporting evidence in response to each of the eight required actions listed in the report. The district will host an Monitoring Review Team visit with AdvancED officials October 17–19, 2011.

AdvancED's Eight Required Actions Status Reports
  • .pdf link icon March 2011 [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/sacs-casi-8ra-project-status-report-(2011-03).pdf ]
  • .pdf link icon April 2011 [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/sacs-casi-8ra-project-status-report-(2011-04).pdf ]
  • .pdf link icon May 2011 [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/sacs-casi-8ra-project-status-report-(2011-05).pdf ]
  • .pdf link icon June 2011 [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/sacs-casi-8ra-project-status-report-(2011-06).pdf ]
  • .pdf link icon July 2011 [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/sacs-casi-8ra-project-status-report-(2011-07).pdf ]
  • .pdf link icon August 2011 [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/sacs-casi-8ra-project-status-report-(2011-08).pdf ]
  • .pdf link icon September 2011 [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/sacs-casi-8ra-project-status-report-(2011-09).pdf ]
AdvancED's Eight Required Actions Institution Progress Report
  • .pdf link icon Executive Summary [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-progress-report-executive-summary-(2011-10-03).pdf ]
    Supporting Evidence
    • .pdf link icon Action One [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-progress-report-required-action1-(2011-10-03).pdf ] 22MB
    • .pdf link icon Action Two [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-progress-report-required-action2-(2011-10-03).pdf ] 10MB
    • .pdf link icon Action Three [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-progress-report-required-action3-(2011-10-03).pdf ] 52MB
    • .pdf link icon Action Four [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-progress-report-required-action4-(2011-10-03).pdf ]
    • .pdf link icon Action Five [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-progress-report-required-action5-(2011-10-03).pdf ]
    • .pdf link icon Action Six [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-progress-report-required-action6-(2011-10-03).pdf ] 38MB
    • .pdf link icon Action Seven [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-progress-report-required-action7-(2011-10-03).pdf ] 11MB
    • .pdf link icon Action Eight [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dcss-progress-report-required-action8-(2011-10-03).pdf ] 74MB

AdvancED's Eight Required Actions Accreditation Announcement

On November 29, 2011, the Superintendent received notice from Dr. Mark Elgart announcing the DeKalb County School District's accreditation status with AdvancED.

SACS recommended that DeKalb Schools remain in the accreditation status of "accredited on advisement" as it completes two of eight actions to improve School System effectiveness that AdvancED recommended in January. AdvancED recommended that the school system continue working to establish a clear role and line of authority for its internal auditor and complete a strategic plan to guide the future direction of the school system.

The school system will submit a report to AdvancED by February 15, documenting additional steps it has taken to address the remaining actions. AdvancED will assess those steps during an on-site review of the school system's five-year accreditation status, scheduled to take place in March.

  • .pdf link icon DeKalb Schools Announces Accreditation [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/dekalb-schools-announces-accreditation.pdf ]
  • .pdf link icon Letter from Dr. Mark Elgart [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/letter-from-dr-mark-elgart-(2011-11-28).pdf ] (28 Nov 2011)
  • .pdf link icon AdvancED Dekalb Press Release [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/advanced-dekalb-press-release-(2011-11).pdf ] (Nov 2011)
  • .pdf link icon AdvancED DeKalb Report [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/sacs-casi-accreditation/advanced-dekalb-report-(2011-10).pdf ] (Oct 2011)

Response to AdvancED's Monitoring Visit Report

In response to the October, 2012 monitoring team visit by AdvancED and the subsequent notice of remaining "accredited on advisement", DeKalb County School District has submitted a progress report update to AdvancED on February 15, 2012.

The reports documented the additional steps the District has taken to address the remaining two of the original eight actions to improve the school district: establish a clear role and line of authority for its internal auditor and complete a strategic plan to guide the future direction of the school district.

AdvancED will assess those steps during an on-site review of the District's five-year accreditation status, scheduled to take place in March, 2012.

Accreditation Timeline

SACS CASI accreditation visit will occur in early 2012, but the process has already begun.

September - October 2010

  • Superintendent seeks Board of Education resolution supporting the District's efforts to renew its District Accreditation status in Winter 2012.
  • If a resolution is approved by the Board, the Superintendent requests that DeKalb County be placed on the SACS CASI calendar for a District Accreditation visit in January or February 2012.

October - December 2010

  • Formation and initial meeting of the District Accreditation Steering Committee.
  • Designated staff provides an update to principals and District staff during a monthly Administrators' Meeting.
  • DeKalb receives confirmation of dates for the 2012 visit.

November 8-9, 2010

  • Designated staff attend the Georgia SACS CASI Conference in Marietta, GA to attend District Accreditation training sessions.

November 12, 2010

  • DeKalb receives letter announcing January 2011 visit.

January - February 2011

  • Steering Committee designee(s) confirm lodging site/arrangements for Winter 2012 visit.
  • Department of Assessment and Accountability creates Budget Improvement Request for funds to be provided to cover the costs of the Winter 2012 visit (FY 2012 Budget).
  • DeKalb hosts Special Review Team visit January 25-26, 2011.

January - September 2011

  • Various subcommittees within the Steering Committee work on assigned sections of the District's Self-Study document.
  • Funds approved for visit expenses in FY 2012 Budget (May).
  • Identified deficiencies/areas of needed improvement are addressed by appropriate personnel.

September - December 2011

  • Designated Steering Committee members conduct meetings with the local school "Internal Facilitators" to provide schools with information and instructions relative to the District Accreditation process.
  • SACS CASI assigns chairperson for DeKalb visitation team and chairperson begins to work with designated Steering Committee members.
  • Final edits/updates made to District Self-Study/Self-Study to print.
  • Requested data sets/information provided to SACS CASI chairperson.
  • Final details for lodging, meeting space, technology needs, meals, and transportation of visiting team completed.

January 2012

  • Final details completed as directed by SACS CASI chairperson Designated Steering Committee members conduct final meeting.
  • Designated Steering Committee members conduct final meeting with school-level "Internal Facilitators."
  • Specific individuals selected/contacted regarding interviews with SACS CASI team.

Late January - Late February 2012

  • Chairperson selects schools to be visited.
  • Visit occurs.