Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Fayette receives Quality Schools designation The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) has named the Fayette County School System a 2003-2004 Super District for Quality Schools. This designation signifies that all eligible elementary, middle and high schools are accredited. For 2003-2004, there were 512 school districts in the 11-state SACS region that qualified for the recognition, including 61 from Georgia. SACS accreditation is non-government and voluntary and it helps educational institutions improve through a systematic process of evaluation that focuses on improving teaching and student learning. SACS accreditation assures not only that an institution meets minimum standards, but also that it demonstrates a commitment to continuously providing quality educational programs. SACS accreditation ensures benefits to a school and its community including the following: • A mission and goals focused on improving student performance and the school’s capacity to improve teaching and learning. • A collaboratively developed improvement plan that includes methods for measuring student progress and involves key school stakeholders. • An effective framework that integrates all types of school planning and evaluation requirements. • Qualified staffing and limited class size. • Regular review of the school’s programs by a team of outside peer professionals. • Accountability and value for tax dollars spent. Founded in 1895 and headquartered in Decatur, Ga., SACS is one of six regional accrediting bodies in the United States and as an association comprises three commissions. SACS serves 11 Southern states from Virginia to Texas, as well as American-International schools in Latin America. It accredits more than 13,000 institutions (public, nonpublic, early childhood centers and kindergartens; elementary, middle and high schools; vocational-technical schools, military schools; colleges and universities). For additional information check the Association’s web page at www.sacs.org.