Dr Robert Stearns, International School of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

1. The International School of
Ulaanbaatar
theonlyfully-authorised andinternationally-accredited
schoolinMongolia

2. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
AUTHORISATION AND ACCREDITATION
Process and Standards – 8th Edition
Approved on 30 Oct 2009
New England Association
of Schools and Colleges

3. Purposes of
Authorisation & Accreditation
catalyse
school
improvement
external
expert
validation
claim to
excellence
build
professional
culture
strategic &
future
planning

4. Standards in Seven Domains
STUDENT
LEARNING
A
Philosophy &
Objectives
mission, vision
internationalism
B
Teaching &
Learning
curriculum &
assessment
C
Governance &
Leadership
Board of Trustees
& senior
administrationD
Faculty &
Support Staff
staffing structure,
appraisal &
training
E
Learning
Support
counseling,
language support,
admission
F
School
Culture &
Partnerships
with parents, local
& international
communities
G
School
Operations
finances,
facilities, health
& safety

5. 24-30 MONTH PROCESS
Preliminary Visit
2 days / 2 visitors
Self-Study
18-24 months – community surveys
followed by 7 self-study committees
Team Visit
10-15 visitors focusing on alignment to
self-study and standards

6. Subsequent procedures…
3-months report on Significant
Recommendations (if any)
2-Year Report on Progress and
Planning
5-Year Report on Progress and
Planning

7. Surveys
curriculum data
internationalism and interculturalism audit
student academic performance
opinion surveys from each sector of school community
health, safety, & security audit

8. Determining school’s
alignment with the standards
school’s self
study
visiting team’s
evaluation

9. Typical Standards
From Section B: Teaching and Learning
STANDARD B2
Students shall have access to a curriculum that provides
challenge but also supports varied developmental,
academic, social, physical and emotional needs and fosters
the development of skills and abilities that prepare students
for lifelong learning.

10. Typical Standards
STANDARD B8
The school shall have formal procedures and defined criteria
to effectively and regularly assess the impact of teaching
strategies and the level of student performance.
STANDARD B9
Curriculum review and revisions shall be completed at
periodic intervals, and changes shall reflect the school’s
mission, current educational practice, and the results of
student assessment, with the goal of enhancing student
participation and performance.

13. Indicators for evidence
STANDARD B3
Teaching and learning shall be guided by comprehensive
curriculum documentation that reflects horizontal and
vertical articulation that provides students with meaningful
connections and continuity among disciplines.
INDICATORS RELATED TO STANDARD B3
B3a
Written curriculum materials specify expected learning
outcomes in terms of what students should know, understand,
and be able to do.
B3b
Written curriculum materials indicate content and sequence
for each course/grade.

14. Indicators for evidence
INDICATORS RELATED TO STANDARD B3 (cont’d)
B3c
Written curriculum materials include references to the
methodologies, teaching materials and resources that are
used.
B3d
Written curriculum materials include references to the
assessments that are used to measure student progress.
B3e
Written curriculum materials include references to links within
and across disciplines.

15. Indicators for evidence
INDICATORS RELATED TO STANDARD B3 (cont’d)
B3f
The written curriculum describes multi-disciplinary experiences
and/or activities, where appropriate, to foster authentic learning.
B3g
There is clear designation of responsibility for overseeing
effective school-wide curriculum planning, design, articulation,
implementation, and review.
B3h
Teachers meet with colleagues, as necessary, to strengthen
vertical curriculum articulation and to ensure a logical sequence
that minimizes overlap or gaps in content.

16. Evaluation
Rating the school against the indicators and standards
On the basis of the evidence, the school is rated as follows
against each Indicator for each Standard:

17. Evaluation
Based on the evidence rating for each Indicator, the school’s
overall alignment with a Standard is then evaluated using the
progressive scale:

18. Decision on Accreditation
Award Accreditation (or Re-accreditation)
Award “ “ “ - with specific qualifications
Postpone “ “ “ – with specified reason(s)
Not award Accreditation or Re-accreditation