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(1/15/2008) U.S. News & World Report on America's Best High Schools and Top Catholic Schools Include 78 CSS and CIWA Member Schools
The December 10, 2007 issue of U.S. News & World Report had as its cover story a report on America's best high schools which included the top 100 schools selected from more than 18,000 high schools from across the country for Gold Medal designation. Twenty-six Gold Medal designees were in the Middle States region (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland; DC was not included) and fourteen of those selected are CSS or CIWA members.
In addition nine of the top fifty Catholic High Schools in the U.S. are in the Middle States Region and more than seventy-five percent of those schools are MSA accredited.
The two reports confirm Middle States Accreditation as the Gold Standard
The five state region also had Silver and Bronze Medal designees bringing the total number of MSA members selected for recognition to 78.
For further information on the reports please visit www.usnews.com/highschools and www.catholic.org . A list of the recognized schools can be found here.
(1/9/2008) The Gold Standard published...
Volume Two, Issue 1, of the CSS Newsletter The Gold Standard can now be viewed on the CSS website.
(11/17/2007) CIWA Welcomes a New Staff Member ...
Kelly Christian has joined the CIWA staff in the position of Assistant Director for CIWA. Kelly has a B.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University and has experience abroad including a semester of study in Spain and working with students in Latin America and Africa. Kelly will be taking over the team building and day-to-day contact with the overseas schools. Kelly can be contacted at kchristian<at>css-msa.org.
(9/19/2007) Spanish versions of Parent and Student Survey available ...
Spanish Versions of both the Parents and Student Standards surveys are now available online here. These surveys are also available on Survey Monkey by contacting jgreen<at>css-msa.org.
(8/27/2007) Accreditation for Growth, Edition 4B, Published...
The updated version of MSA's strategic planning protocol, Accreditation for Growth , is now avaialble online. The updated self-study guide and self-study template can be found here. Updates include the latest Standards for Accreditation and a new self-study template
(8/16/2007) Reflections on Standards of Quality, 2nd Edition, Published...
The updated version of MSA's traditional protocol, Reflections on Standards of Quality, is now avaialble online. The updated self-study guide and self-study template can be found here. Updates include the latest Standards for Accreditation and a new self-study template which lets schools complete their self-study as a "form"
(8/2/2007) Woodstock School granted the International Credential...
At the Spring 2007 Commission meetings the Woodstock School in Mussoorie, India, was granted the International Credential. Woodstock School joins the Ross School in East Hampton, NY, and the American Overseas School of Rome in Italy as the third school to receive the International Credential. The criterion and indicators for the International Credential can be found here. For more information please contact James Green, Assistant Director for the Committee on Institution-Wide Accreditation, at jgreen<at>css-msa.org.
(8/2/2007) World Languages Credential Approved...
At the Spring 2007 Commission meetings the Commission on Elementary Schools and the Commission on Secondary Schools approved the World Languages Credential for use by CIWA schools. Following in the footsteps of the International Credential, the World Languages Credential supports and promotes global education. In today’s flat and interconnected world, there is a clear need for students in all countries to develop the ability to view the world from the perspectives of others, as well as gain communication skills in more than one language. Proficiency in other languages and cross-cultural competency are essential 21st century skills for interacting with others socially, politically, and in the work place. The criterion and indicators for the World Languages Credential is available here. For more information please contact Jackie Gilbert, Associate Director for the Commission on Secondary Schools, at jgilbert<at>css-msa.org.
(8/2/2007) Standards Survey available through Survey Monkey...
CIWA has now made all of its surveys related to the Middle States Standards for Accreditation
for the staff, parents, and students
available online for schools that establish an account with Survey Monkey. Instructions on setting up a Survey Monkey account and accessing the Surveys are available here.
(8/2/2007) Revised Standards for Accreditation...
In February 2007 the Commission on Elementary Schools and the Commission on Secondary Schools approved the adoption of revised Standards for Accreditation for Schools. Schools entering the self-study process in the 2007-2008 school year will be expected to use the 2007 edition of the Standards for Accreditation for their self-assessment of the degree to which they meet the Standards. The 2007 Standards for Accreditation can be viewed online.
(6/6/2007) The Gold Standard published...
Volume One, Issue 2, of the CSS Newsletter The Gold Standard can now be viewed on the CSS website.
(5/1/2007) CES and CSS Take Accreditation Action on Over 40 CIWA Schools...
At the Spring 2007 meetings, the Commission on Elementary Schools and the Commission on Secondary voted on the accreditation action of over 40 CIWA schools, including the schools from five school districts and one service agency. A complete list of actions is available. For more information, contact Ms. Ira Zunjevic at izunjevic<at>css-msa.org.
(2/6/2007) The Gold Standard published...
The Commission on Secondary Schools now publishes a quarterly newsletter titled, The Gold Standard. It is emailed to primary contacts of all members schools, trained team chairs, and other affiliated volunteers. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact James Green at jgreen<at>css-msa.org. It can also be viewed on the CSS website.