The Virginia Secondary and Middle Schools Committee of SACS is pleased to announce that, for the first time in the history of the Southern Association, a set of quality standards for the full accreditation of vocational-technical institutions by SACS has been made available.

Stand alone vocational-technical schools serving secondary schools that are currently accredited by SACS will be received into the Southern Association with full membership upon completion of the application process. These schools will complete a SACS School Improvement Process self study and host a Peer Review Team within three years of receiving accreditation. Otherwise, the school will enter a candidacy phase of up to three years.

Through the years, vo-tech schools in Virginia have been associated with one or more of the school division’s accredited high schools. This has not allowed the full recognition that the individual vocational-technical school has earned or deserved. The SACS Accreditation Standards 2000 for Vocational-Technical Institutions were developed to reflect the unique characteristics of vocational-technical institutions.

Provisions within the standards allow vocational-technical instructors to count experience and technical training in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.

Four vocational schools will be received as new SACS member schools this year. For information on the application process, call the VSMSC office.

Virginia Committee To Cease Granting Delays in PR Visits

With the exception of natural disasters befalling a school, major building renovations/construction or extensive curriculum revisions, a school will no longer be granted a delay in the planned five-year SACS Peer Review Visit. This announcement comes from the Virginia Secondary and Middle Schools Committee, following the Committee’s spring meeting, and will become effective January 1, 2002. Schools should begin preparing for the SACS Peer Review Visit at least two years prior to the actual visit. Southern Association policy requires that all SACS member schools host an on-site Peer Review Team every five years to verify the school’s SACS School Improvement Process as well as adherence to SACS standards.

Failure to host this visit could lead to the school being placed on probation and possibly being dropped from SACS membership if the violation continues into the second year.

No More Diskettes!

SACS Reports Now Filed On-Line

The Southern Association Annual Report on Standards, completed by principals each January and February, will be completed via an Internet application, beginning in 2002. Principals who had come to expect the reporting diskette by mail will now receive a letter in early January with instructions detailing how to complete the report on line. Schools will be given a user ID number and a password to access the system and complete the report.

Dr. Stiltner Announces Retirement As Commission Executive Director

Dr. James H. Stiltner, long-time Executive Director of the Commission on Secondary and Middle Schools for SACS, has announced his retirement, effective December 31, 2001.

A native of Grundy, Virginia, Dr. Stiltner has served as Executive Director since 1985. He is a friend of Virginia education, having taught at schools in Buchanan and Chesterfield counties and served with the Virginia Department of Education for 13 years. Dr. Stiltner also served the VSMSC as State Director for ten years in the 1960-70's.

Four hundred thirty five Virginia middle schools and high schools will be recommended for continuing accreditation in the Southern Association at the SACS Annual Meeting in New Orleans in December.

The Virginia Secondary and Middle Schools Committee of SACS accredits 106 middle schools, 299 secondary schools, 10 special purpose schools, 16 unit schools and four vocational-technical schools.

Eleven schools will be recommended for initial accreditation this year:

Bailey Bridge Middle School, Chesterfield Co.

Glenvar Middle School, Roanoke County

Greenbrier Middle School, Chesapeake City

Landstown High School, Virginia Beach City

Manchester Middle School, Chesterfield County

Matoaca Middle School, Chesterfield County

Northern Neck Vocational Center, Warsaw, Va.

Russell County Vocational-Technical Center

Smyth County Career and Technology Center

Spotsylvania Vocational Center

Deep Creek Middle School, Chesapeake City

Seven schools will be received as candidate schools, that is, schools working toward fulfilling qualifications for Southern Association membership:

Calvary Christian School, Norfolk

Carver Middle School, Chesterfield County

Chester Middle School, Chesterfield County

Chesterfield Community High School, Chstfld. Co.

Falling Creek Middle School, Chesterfield County

Kenston Forest School, Blackstone, Va.

Turning Point Academy, Chesterfield County

Fourteen schools are existing candidate schools:

Amelia County High School

Amelia County Middle School

Blessed Sacrament Huguenot, Powhatan

Dublin Middle School, Pulaski County

Guardian Angel Academy, Staunton City

Lawrenceville Correctional Center

Nelson County High School

Peabody Middle School, Petersburg City

Pulaski Middle School, Pulaski County

Vernon Johns Middle School, Petersburg City

Swift Creek Middle School, Chesterfield County

The Covenant School, Charlottesville

Va. School for the Deaf and Blind, Hampton

Va. School for the Deaf and Blind, Staunton

Middle Schools Can Align With

Either Secondary or Elem. SACS

The Virginia Secondary and Middle Schools Committee accredits secondary schools and those middle schools that choose to be accredited by the Secondary and Middle School Commission of SACS. Middle schools have the unique opportunity to be accredited by either the Secondary OR the Elementary Committee of the Southern Association. This is generally a decision made by a school’s central office administration and is determined by which curriculum the school most closely identifies with, either secondary or elementary.

A middle school that is aligned with the Secondary Commission of SACS will want to make certain they attend school improvement trainings as offered by the Secondary and Middle Schools Committee.

Worth Noting..................

For School Renewal Schools

Any school still participating in the School Renewal Process must host their SACS Peer Review Team Visit no later than Spring 2003. All SACS member schools must be aligned with the SACS School Improvement Process by Fall 2003.

Future SACS Trainings

The Virginia Secondary and Middle Schools Committee hosts training in the SACS School Improvement Process each spring and fall. Look for brochure information about the spring 2002 meeting by mid-February. Likewise, information on fall trainings is mailed out in early August. About 900 brochures are mailed out to SACS principals, division superintendents and SACS contact persons for schools. If you are not on the mailing list, ask your principal to make you aware of any information that comes in the mail regarding SACS trainings.

Va. Secondary and Middle Schools Committee

Radford University, Box 7007

Radford, VA 24142

540-831-5399 Fax: 540-831-6309

e-mail: sacs-web@radford.edu

www.radford.edu/~sacs-web

State Director Adm. Assistant

Dr. Emmett Shufflebarger DeDe Alderman

Assistant to the Director

Dr. Charles Franklin

Each SACS member school has a person designated to serve as the Contact Person for that particular division or school. This person is an important part of the SACS team, in that they work as a liaison between the school and the Virginia Committee of SACS to assure that the schools and the superintendent are made aware of important Southern Association information regarding the school’s accreditation. The Contact Person is knowledgeable of the schools’ progress in the School Improvement Process and encourages school attendance at SACS workshops at the appropriate time during the accreditation cycle. The Contact Person keeps abreast of the progress of the School Improvement self study and monitors the parts of the study for adherence to appropriate school and state initiatives.

In the event that a new principal comes on board, it is the responsibility of the Contact Person to make him/her aware of the school’s SACS accreditation and provide information that will enable the principal to proceed in the current accreditation cycle.

In some cases, the Contact Person aids in making preparation for the school’s Peer Review Visit by working with the Virginia Committee Office in the appointment of the team chairperson.

When a school has a standard deficiency listed in the annual report, the Contact Person works with the school to devise a plan for addressing the deficiency

State Office Must Assign Chair

Schools with up-coming Peer Review Visits must contact the Virginia Secondary and Middle Schools Committee office four months in advance of the visit to be assigned the name of a qualified person to serve as chairperson for the Peer Review Team. At this time, the state office will mail a packet of information to the school and the chairperson.

Schools Need SACS Standards On

Hand For January Annual Report

Principals will receive instructions in early January for filing the Annual Report on SACS Standards. In the meantime, schools will want to make sure to have a copy of the SACS Standards 2000 on hand in preparation for completing the report. Each school has received a complimentary copy of the standards from the VSMSC office. Additional copies are $10. Another helpful guide is the SACS Standards Checklist, at $5 per copy. Both are available through the State Office.

School Systems Utilizing

Local Teacher Licensure Law

A number of Virginia school divisions are using the Legislature’s Local Teacher Licensure Law passed last year to assist schools with the placement of qualified teachers. This law allows local school boards to issue a valid three-year non-renewable locally eligible license for teachers with a bachelor’s degree.

The Virginia Secondary and Middle Schools Committee recognizes this plan as an assist to schools in the search for teachers. A school that employs a teacher who might be listed as deficient on the SACS Annual Report for Standards can apply for this special licensure and have the deficiency waived.

The VSMSC office will track the licensure period of these teachers during the three-year period. The school must inform the Virginia Committee office that the teacher will be using the local licensure law.

For Compliance With SACS Standards

VSMSC Accepts All Teaching

Licenses Granted By Va. DOE

When completing the SACS Annual Report on Standards in January, remember that the Virginia Secondary and Middle Schools Committee will accept any license, certification or degree that is deemed acceptable by the Virginia Department of Education.

Teachers holding provisional or conditional licenses should be marked in the report as being in compliance with the SACS standard for appropriate certification.

Please share this newsletter with members of the

School Improvement Leadership Team.

Members of the Virginia Secondary and

Middle Schools Committee of the

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

These people are volunteer representatives of SACS accredited schools.

Dr. Alpheus Arrington, Jr. Mr. Rick Fitzgerald, Chairman Mr. Colon Oliver, Principal

Assistant Superintendent Director of Personnel Bruton High School

King and Queen County Schools Prince William County Schools York County Schools

Mrs. Karen Bell, teacher Dr. James Gallion Mrs. Nancy Opsut

Heritage High School Assistant Superintendent Assistant Director

Lynchburg, Va. Roanoke County Schools Arlington Career Center

Mr. William Brann, Principal Mr. Bruce Gillespie Dr. Bob Raines, Professor Emeritus

Richmond County Intermediate School Assistant Director Emory and Henry College

Office of Accreditation Emory, Virginia

Chesterfield County Schools

Dr. William Bosher, Jr. , Professor Mrs. Donna Henderson Mr. Albert Randolph, Principal

Commonwealth Educational Policy Troutville, Virginia Halifax County High School

Institute, Va. Commonwealth Univ.

Ms. Hallie Carr, Principal Mr. William King Mr. Jackson Reasor, President/CEO

William Fleming High School Headmaster Old Dominion Electric Cooperative

Roanoke City Schools Norfolk Collegiate School Glen Allen, Virginia

Mr. Kyle Chadwell, Principal Dr. Bobbi Macomber, Principal Dr. Stewart Roberson

Thomas Walker High School Robert E. Lee High School Division Superintendent

Lee County Schools Staunton City Schools Hanover County Schools

Dr. Berkley Clear, Vice-Chairman Dr. Cheri Magill Dr. Robert Small

Director of Academic Operations Director of Accreditation Professor, Radford University

Washington County Schools Va. Department of Education

Mr. Charles Finley Mr. Tom Muncy Ms. Linda Whitfield

Asst. Superintendent of Supervisor, Food Services Director of Middle School Education

Accountability Services Waynesboro City Schools Fairfax County Schools

Virginia Dept. of Education

Dr. William Myers

Assistant Superintendent

Chesapeake City Schools

Virginia Secondary and Middle Schools Committee

Radford University / Box 7007