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Fifteen schools. One Shared Purpose: Reimagining What Learning Can Look Like
In November, the Middle States Association accredited 15 microschools as part of our Next Generation Accreditation pilot. These schools might not have fit within a traditional accreditation model, yet they meet every one of MSA’s existing standards.
How? Through innovative models, adaptable practices, and deep purpose.
Back in October, I visited five of them across Tennessee. Here’s what I saw:
Spotlight on Innovation: VHS Learning’s MSA Accreditation Journey
Middle States helped VHS become an accredited Learning Service Provider (LSP). LSPs represent a growing number of non-traditional educational organizations committed to quality, innovation, and continuous improvement. The VHS journey offers valuable takeaways for schools navigating partnerships and program expansion:
Notes From The Field
As a professional peer reviewer, you will see the entire system of a school in just three days. That is because Middle States standards and indicators map to every aspect of school operations—from daily classroom practices to long-term planning to foundational documents.
Notes From The Field
No other form of professional learning can enable you—in 3 short days!—to “see the system” of a school, and certainly not while embedding you in real time. It’s like high intensity cross-training. You may come to the team with experience in teaching and learning, but you’ll also learn about governance, finance, facilities, and other foundational elements of running a school. I wish I had participated on more visiting teams before I had become a Head of School the first time—nothing would have been better preparation.