Accreditation - The Florida Catholic Conference

NEW: OFFICIAL NOTICE --
Revision of Accreditation Standards and Rationale

July 2009

Re: Changes to Teacher Assistant (First Grade) and Counselor Standards, Effective 2009-10

Dear Catholic School Principals and Other Interested Parties:

A few changes have been made to the Florida Catholic Conference Accreditation Program (FCCAP) Standards which are effective with the 2009-10 school year. These changes were discussed and approved by our Accreditation Committee during its June 10, 2009 meeting in Palm Beach Gardens.

On a related note, recommendations for changes to the standards were prepared by the FCC Subcommittee on Standards Review. This subcommittee is charged with soliciting and reviewing possible updates for accreditation standards, and providing recommendations for discussion and approval each year at the June FCCAC Meeting. The members include: Sr. Rosemary Hickmann, O.P., Diocese of Orlando, Subcommittee Chair; Mrs. Josephine Kenna, Archdiocese of Miami; and, Mr. James Herzog, Florida Catholic Conference

The subcommittee members discussed topics – as referred by FCC Accreditation Committee members – via individual phone calls and emails in May 2009. Without further adieu, here are the changes that were made:

*Revision 1:

Revise the Teacher Assistant Standard for Grade 1 to Provide Consistency with Standards for Pre-K and K

Area E, Administration (Staff/ Student Ratios)

Grade 1	A part-time teacher assistant is recommended for 1-20 students.
	A part-time teacher assistant is required for 121-25 students.
	A full-time teacher assistant is required for 26-35 students.

*NOTE: Deletions are indicated by strikethrough and additions are indicated by underline.

Rationale: In recent years, we have revised the language for Teacher Assistants. However, there is an inconsistency with the requirement for Grade 1 versus Pre-K and K. For the younger children, we have a tier at which no assistant is required, such as 1-10 students in Pre-K3, 1-15 students in Pre-K4 and 1-20 students in K. In Grade 1, an assistant is currently required regardless of class size. There could be situations in which a school is struggling and has classes with 20 or less first graders but would still be required to have an assistant.

*Revision 2:

Revise standards referencing “Guidance Counselors” to reflect term “School Counselors” as referenced in national guidelines

Area D, Personnel Standard 13 (Guidance Counselor)

The ~~Guidance Counselor~~ School Counselor shall:

a. have a master’s degree;

b. (1) have a current and valid state or national guidance certificate, OR

(2) have a Florida state license in an area of mental health such as Clinical Social Worker, Mental Health Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, Clinical Psychologist, or any other area in mental health which the state shall license; and

c. maintain recency of credit (six college credits or its equivalent) every five years.

Area G, Pupil Services (Guidance Standard 2)

The school shall have a full- or part-time ~~guidance~~ school counselor with a minimum presence of one full day per week.

*NOTE: Deletions are indicated by strikethrough and additions are indicated by underline.

Rationale: The new language used by the National Standards on School Counseling Programs uses is “school counselor.” This is the primary organization for counselors’ reference and support.

Thank you in advance to each school for implementing these new standards in 2009-10. Please don't hesitate to contact your diocesan representative on the FCCAC -- or this Office -- if you have any questions or feedback, or need more information. (The changes made should be pretty straightforward but let us know if any clarification is needed.)

Blessings and Peace,
James
James B. Herzog, Associate Director of Education

Accreditation Program Resources
We have gathered our most commonly used resources into one location below.

Manuals and Addendums:
Principles & Standards Manual (July 2008 Ed.)	Revised Teacher Assistant Standards (Area E2)	FCC Accreditation Policies & Procedures	FCC Strategic Plan (July 07 Ed.)	FCC Companion Manual (Password Protected, for Self-Study Schools Only)
List of FCCAP Member Schools (DRAFT):
Special Note: The FCCAP Staff has drafted the following list of membership schools and is in the process of finalizing the contact information, grade levels offered at each school, etc. Click here for a DRAFT list of FCCAP Member Schools; a Finalized List will be Posted by April 30, 2009
Visitation Team and Chairperson Information:
FCC Visitation Manual	FCCAP Standards Checklist (May 2008)	Chairperson's Checklist (Key Reminders)	Stipends and Mileage Information	Poem/ Testimonial from School After Hosting Visitation
Information Regarding e-ARCA (electronic Annual Report of Continued Accreditation)
Preview Copy of e-ARCA (2008-09)		Website Link to Complete e-ARCA

2009 FCC Administrators’ Conference to Showcase Catholic School Identity

During the 2009 Florida Catholic Conference (FCC) Administrators’ Conference, principals, vice principals and other (arch)diocesan administrators will be able to glean and share valuable tips and tools regarding the essentials of Catholic school identity.

“This conference will display how the bright light of our Catholic schools is shining more than ever,” said James Herzog, FCC Associate Director for Education. “Our school leaders will be given a unique opportunity to confirm and enhance their repertoire of tools for making a vibrant Catholic identity a living reality at each campus.”

With this in mind, principals, vice principals, superintendents and associates are encouraged to mark their calendars for Wednesday, September 30, 2009 – Friday, October 2, 2009. The conference will be held at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort and Spa in Fort Lauderdale Beach.

The opening liturgy will be celebrated by Most Rev. John C. Favalora, Archbishop of Miami. Throughout the conference, there will be liturgies and activities focusing on the vocation of Catholic educators. A prayer room will also be available for moments of personal prayer and reflection.

The theme will be: “Miami: Catholic School Identity.” The keynote speakers are: Most Rev. Michael Miller, Archbishop of Vancouver; and, Dr. Thomas Groome, Director of the Institute for Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry at Boston College. Break-out topics include:

"Challenge of Hope in Education" with Kenneth Doran;
"Educational Leadership" with Saundra Kennedy;
"Stress Management" with Bob Barnes;
"Using the Web in Education" with William Clifford;
"Campus Ministry" with Mike Patin; and many more.

PLEASE CLICK HERE for a copy of the registration form and schedule.

Another conference perk is the opportunity to enjoy sites and fun activities that Ft. Lauderdale has to offer during the break on Thursday afternoon, from visiting the beaches to shopping at the Sawgrass Mills Outlet Mall.

The last FCC Administrators’ Conference in February of 2007 highlighted that “Catholic schools are the best vehicle for sharing the totality of our Catholic faith and traditions,” said Most Rev. Robert N. Lynch, Bishop of St. Petersburg. Msgr. Laurence Higgins, pastor of St. Lawrence Catholic School in Tampa, added that, “we teach, my dear friends, by example. And ... the children have to know that religion is not a subject. It’s a way of life.” To read more PLEASE CLICK HERE.

This special event is only held once every two years, so all Catholic school administrators in the Province of Florida as well as the Diocese of Savannah, GA are encouraged to participate! Please continue to check back here for more information as it is made available.

Committee Welcomes Michael Kooi from the Florida Department of Education as One of Its Newest Members

Mr. Michael Kooi has accepted an invitation to join the Florida Catholic Conference Accreditation Committee (FCCAC). Mr. Kooi came on board with the FCCAC in late December, 2008. He serves the people of Florida as Executive Director of the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice (IEPC), within the state's Department of Education.

Mr. Kooi will fill the spot for one of two FCCAC members from an outside educational organization; in this capacity, he is following in the “footsteps” of other DOE members who have served with the FCCAC over the years such as Dr. Michael Tremor, Dr. Katherine Piersall, etc. For more on his background, click the following link to this October 2008 newsletter from his Office:

http://www.floridaschoolchoice.org/information/charter_schools/newsletters/CS_Newsletter_10-08.pdf.

Many thanks to Mr. Kooi for joining our FCCAC team!

OFFICIAL NOTICE

Revisions for the FCC “Principles and Standards"
The FCC Accreditation Committee has approved revised language for Area E, Administration
Standard 2 (regarding Teacher Assistants by Grade Level). For more information,
PLEASE CLICK HERE.

For information on the revised language for Area D, Personnel (Religion and Physical Education Teachers), introduced in the 2007-08 school year,
PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Annual Dues for FCCAP Member Schools

Special Note: Please click the link provided to obtain the dues form for 2008-09. Each FCCAP-member school is asked to pay dues in the amount of $1.50 per student enrolled (Pre-Kindergarten to 8th Grade).

Dues Form for the 2008-09 School Year