Standards for Accreditation

CAISA STANDARDS

A. Philosophy and Objectives

1. The school shall have a clear and effective written statement of its philosophy and objectives, appropriate for the students it serves.
2. The school’s philosophy and objectives shall be generally known, understood and accepted by the governing body, school management, staff, parents, and students.
3. There shall be procedures which enable the school to determine its degree of success in putting its Philosophy and Objectives into practice.
4. The school’s Philosophy and Objectives shall lead the school to act within the spirit of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
5. The Philosophy and Objectives shall commit the school to promoting international and inter-cultural experiences for its students.

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B. Curriculum

1. The curriculum, in its content, design, implementation, assessment and review, shall reflect the school’s philosophy, objectives and policies.
2. The curriculum shall be comprehensively documented.
3. Curriculum design shall provide for the varied developmental, academic, social, physical and emotional needs of students.
4. The curriculum shall be articulated vertically and horizontally throughout the school to ensure continuity within and among divisions and disciplines.
5. The curriculum shall utilize the cultural diversity of the host country and the school community to enhance the educational experiences of students.
6. The curriculum shall develop those skills and abilities which will prepare students for lifelong learning.
7. The school shall provide ongoing professional development to improve implementation of the curriculum.
8. The teaching staff shall implement the curriculum through a range of approaches and teaching strategies that recognize diverse learning styles.
9. The school shall provide appropriate support and resources to implement the curriculum.
10. Teachers shall establish and communicate clear expectations to students and parents.
11. The school shall regularly assess the effectiveness of teaching and learning.
12. Curriculum revisions shall be made on a regular basis after consideration of current educational thinking and pedagogy.
13. Administrators and teachers shall use the results of student assessment to evaluate and revise curriculum and methodology on a continuing basis.
14. The school shall record, analyze and report to appropriate members of the school community the results of school and student performance.

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C. Governance and Management

1. The governing body shall be so constituted, with regard to membership and organization, as to provide the school with sound direction, continuity and effective support.
2. There shall be a co-operative and effective working relationship between the governing body and the Head of School.
3. The Head of School, although accountable to a higher authority, shall be the responsible leader of the school.
4. The school shall have educational and financial plans for the short, medium and long term, with strategies for accomplishing the school’s goals and for assessing the effectiveness of the actions taken.
5. The school shall observe legal and ethical principles in all its dealings with the school community.
6. The governing body shall have clearly formulated policies set out in a policy manual to give consistency and order to its operations, and it shall ensure that these policies are understood by the school community.
7. The financial resources of the school shall be capable of sustaining a sound educational program, consistent with its stated philosophy and objectives, and of providing for long-term stability.
8. The management of the school’s finances shall be, at all times, in accordance with the standards which operate in the host country and shall be consistent with “best practice” in international schools.
9. Parents or others enrolling students shall be informed in advance of the precise nature and scope of the financial obligations and be given an estimate of the total expenses.

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D. Staff

1. The school shall have management, teaching and support staff, sufficient in numbers and with the qualifications and competencies to carry out satisfactorily the school’s programs, services and activities.
2. The Head of School shall ensure that there is a co-operative working relationship with all staff to facilitate proper utilization of their abilities.
3. Staff shall act professionally in carrying out all their duties and responsibilities.
4. There shall be written and available personnel policies and practices for all staff.
5. All staff shall be employed under written contracts which state the principal terms of agreement between members of staff and the governing body, and which provide for adequate salaries, and fringe benefits.
6. There shall be a clearly defined and effective system of appraisal of staff, based on pre-determined and explicit criteria.
7. The school shall have a program of professional development for staff related to appraisal procedures and other priorities identified by the school.

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E. Student Support Services

1. There shall be effective procedures for identifying the learning needs of students, both at admission and thereafter.
2. If children with learning or other disabilities or remedial needs are admitted, the school shall provide specific curricula and programs to meet those needs.
3. The school shall have the trained special needs per-sonnel needed to serve students with identified learning disabilities.
4. There shall be effective practices to address the needs of students of exceptionally high ability, achievement, and/or talent.
5. If students whose native or first language is not English (and whose English is not sufficiently developed to follow the full school curriculum) are admitted, the school shall provide English Language Support ELS.
6. The school shall provide appropriate guidance services, including academic and personal counseling as well as career/tertiary education advice for secondary students.
7. The school shall work cooperatively with parents and keep them informed of the academic and social development and progress of their children.
8. The school shall provide opportunities for students to take all appropriate tests, including those for admission to institutions of higher education, and shall assist parents and students in processing required application materials.
9. The school shall provide adequate health care, and shall insure provisions for emergencies on-site and at school functions which take place away from the school premises.
10. The school shall have health policies which includes collection of medical information for all staff and students, immunization against common diseases and the maintenance of comprehensive records.

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F. Resources

1. The school shall provide or arrange for such services as are required in support of its program offerings, and shall ensure that food, security, transportation, cleaning, and other services meet acceptable standards of safety and comfort.
2. Personnel employed to provide student services shall be adequate in number, have appropriate qualifications, and receive sufficient training to perform their functions effectively.
3. The school shall meet safety requirements of the local authorities and of the accrediting association(s).
4. Written rules and policies governing access to and use of school resources shall be available to the school community.
5. The school grounds, buildings, technical installations, basic furnishings, and supporting equipment shall be adequate for effective support of the total school program.
6. The school's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) shall appropriately support the school's operations.
7. The library/media center shall be conveniently accessible, be of adequate size, and have sufficient staff and resources to meet the educational needs of students and staff.
8. The library/media staff shall provide an ongoing program of instruction in effective use of resource materials and equipment, and shall apply appropriate policies for library use and the means of assessing effectiveness.
9. The facilities shall be maintained and operated in a manner that assures the safety and comfort of students and staff.

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G. Student and Community Life

1. Relationships among the school management, staff and students shall be ethical, and shall be characterized by fairness and mutual respect among individuals and between groups.
2. The school shall have processes and forums to enable students and parents to remain well informed on all appropriate issues of school life.
3. The school shall have effective processes which enable students and parents to offer appropriate input before important decisions are made.
4. The curricular and/or co-curricular program shall serve the broad needs and interests of the student body.
5. The school shall actively promote intercultural and international awareness.
6. Residential services shall serve the best interests of all boarding students and staff.