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National Department of Education conducts School Accreditation Workshop

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): February 10, 2010 - The National Department of Education conducted a workshop on School Accreditation during the week of February 1^st to 5^th, 2010, at the College of Micronesia-FSM national campus. The workshop was attended by officers from Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap Departments of Education as well as representatives from FSM-COM.

The purpose of the workshop was to design an accreditation system whereby the National Department of Education, in collaboration with State Departments of Education, will evaluate schools against a set of minimum standards. Standards for school facilities, curriculum, improvement plans, leadership, teacher performance and data management were drafted in the workshop. These standards will be further developed and refined over the coming weeks.

When the accreditation system is in place, the Secretary of Education will award a National Special Certificate of Accreditation to those schools that meet or exceed the accreditation standards. These schools will be rewarded with special incentives.

The Secretary of Education will award a National Certificate of Accreditation to those schools that almost meet the accreditation standards and have a plan in place to address any deficiencies. These schools will be supported with Technical Assistance.

Schools that do not meet accreditation standards and do not have an improvement plan will enter a period of special measures during which they will receive intensive support and assistance.

In his closing remarks, the Secretary of Education thanked the presenters and participants for their work on developing the accreditation system and looked forward to a future where all children in the FSM have equal access to quality education in conducive learning environments.