School Accreditation

Interview Questions for the NCA CASI School Accreditation Quality Assurance Review Visit

For Students

The following Agency Disclosure Notice and Privacy Notice will be read to the participants.

Agency Disclosure Notice. This information collection is authorized by OMB # 0704-0437, expiration April 2009 and RCS # DD-P&R(OT)XXXX expiration date [Insert expiration date]. The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 45 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Comments can be sent regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to the Department of Defense, Research and Evaluation Branch [OMB control # 0704-0437]. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.

Privacy Notice. Your responses to these questions are voluntary and there is no penalty if you choose not to respond. However, maximum participation is encouraged so that the data will be complete and representative. The purpose of these group interviews is to identify school-related issues to be addressed through the school improvement process. We will not collect or record information that could be used to identify specific individuals that participate in these interviews. In any release of results, no information will be disclosed that could be used to identify specific subgroups of individuals if that information would reveal the identity of the participants.

The following focus questions may be considered during the interview process:

Standard 1 -- Vision

1. What would you like others to know about your school?

2. Some schools have statements that express their mission, their beliefs, or their vision for the future. How about your school? Does it have a vision statement, a mission statement, or a statement of beliefs? Tell me more about it.

3. Were you involved in creating the (vision statement/mission statement/statement of beliefs)? How were you involved?

4. How do the students know the (vision, mission, and/or belief statements) at your school?

Standard 2 -- Governance And Leadership

1. Think about the rules, procedures, and policies at your school. How do students know about these rules, procedures, and policies?

2. Are you able to share your ideas and concerns about your school with the principal or your teachers?
   If so, please explain how.

3. What leadership opportunities are available for students?

Standard 3 -- Teaching and Learning

1. How do you know what you are to learn each school year?

2. How are actively involved in learning in the classroom?

3. Do you believe the curriculum is challenging? Explain why or why not.

4. Are you prepared for the next grade level? Explain why or why not.

5. If you are having difficulty in a certain subject area, what kind of help do you receive from your school?

Standard 4 -- Documenting and Using Results

1. How does your school compare to other schools like it in the area?

2. How are you tested in your school? (daily, weekly, monthly, annually)

3. Do you understand your testing results? How does the school help you to understand your test results? What do you do with your testing data?

4. Do you discuss your test results with your teacher(s)? Your counselor? Your principal? Your parent(s)?
   If so, explain.

5. Is your school getting better? or Is student performance here increasing? How do you know?

Standard 5 -- Resources and Support Systems

1. What types of programs and/or resource services are available for you to assist you in your learning (Limited English Proficient programs, tutoring, counseling, mentoring, student appraisal, student referrals, special education services, etc.)?

2. What types of extra curricular programs and/or clubs do you have at your school?
   When do they take place?

3. Do you feel safe at your school? Tell why or why not.

4. How does your school prepare for emergencies? Would you know what to do if there were an emergency at school?

For Students (Continued)

The following focus questions may be considered during the interview process.

Standard 6 – Stakeholder Communication And Relationships

1. How are students, parents and/or community stakeholders involved in the school?

2. Is there a process in place for you to communicate your concerns and/or ideas to your school?

3. What are some of the ways your school shares information with the students?

4. What suggestions would you make to your school to get more students involved in learning and in school activities?

Standard 7 – Commitment To Continuous Improvement

1. What do you think are the greatest strengths of your school?

2. What do you think are the areas that need improving?

3. Have you had the opportunity to offer suggestions that would help your school improve (get better)?
   If so, explain.

4. How to do know if your school is improving?

©2007 AdvancED -- 08/07/07 Page 3 of 2