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level personnel revisit the Middle Conclusion to make informed decisions about
States action plan at regular intervals what needs to be changed, how best
throughout the school year to assess As district leaders, superintendents to make those changes and how to
progress and adjust the plan in accor- aim to create the school systems measure progress.
dance with the ever-changing needs communities want for their children. The entire process demands partici-
of the students. The accreditation process greatly pation from all corners of the com-
assists in those efforts. It brings
While this accreditation process stakeholders together to celebrate the munity, and the end result is a school
afforded the district the capacity to district and unify around a common system made stronger by the journey.
create a superlative strategic plan vision for continued improvement. Collaborating with Middle States pro-
via the Middle States Action Plan, vides school systems with the focus,
the true value was the creation of The process helps school districts use organizational framework and exter-
the expectation that our goals will the data they are already collecting nal validation to ensure success.
continually be assessed and revised to place greater focus on student For more information about the Middle
by the district’s evolving needs. performance and the organizational
capacity for continuous improvement. States Excellence by Design accredi-
By comparing its preferred future tation protocol for school systems, visit
as defined by mission, core beliefs, msa-cess.org or contact the Middle
graduate profiles, and current student States Association directly at (267)
performance data, a district is able 284-5000 or at info@msa-cess.org.

About the Authors
Henry G. Cram, Ed.D., is President of the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and
Secondary Schools.

William T. Smith is Superintendent of Point Pleasant Beach Schools.

Bernard F. Bragen, Jr. Ed.D., is former Superintendent of Hazlet Township Public Schools and
Program Director for the doctorate program in Educational Leadership in the School of Education
at Monmouth University.

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Educational Viewpoints -48- Spring 2018