SECTION B SELF-ASSESSMENT OF THE MIDDLE STATES STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITATION (Items to include in this section of the self-study) B.1. Standards Self-Assessment Process B.2. Standards Self-Assessment Report The above sections are included for each standard. Standard 2: Governance and Leadership Standard 3: School Improvement Planning Standard 4: Finances Standard 5: Facilities Standard 6: School Climate and Organization Standard 7: Health and Safety Standard 8: Educational Program Standard 9: Assessment and Evidence of Student Learning Standard 10: Student Services Standard 11: Student Life and Student Activities Standard 12: Information Resources and Technology Section B: Self-Assessment of the Middle States Standards for Accreditation B-1
MIDDLE STATES STANDARD FOR ACCREDITATION #1: PHILOSOPHY/MISSION B.1. Standards Self-Assessment Process This assessment was completed via the following method(s) (describe all that apply): a.) A subcommittee comprised of the following individuals: Committee Member s Name Charles J. Panepresso, Chairperson Pam McPeak Bill Brady Joe McFadden Sr. Alice Hess George Andelfinger Ralph Riendeau Bill Kane Role in the School s Community (e.g. teacher, parent, student, etc.) Admissions Director Director of Advancement b.) A survey. Name of Survey: Philosophy/Mission Total Number of Surveys Completed 1143 The results represent surveys completed by: Students 535 Parents 93 Faculty and Staff 132 Administrators 5 Board Members 2 Business/Community Representative 2 Other (Alumni) 374 c.) Other methods used to determine this assessment: @ discussion meetings with above committee reviewing and discussing survey results. B1-1
B.2. Standards Self-Assessment Report Instructions for Self-Assessment of Indicators of Quality The school must meet this Standard for Accreditation to be granted Accreditation by the Middle States Association. The Indicators of Quality for the Standard identify the types of evidence that, when taken together, indicate whether the school meets the Standard. The school may indicate other types of evidence particular to the school in the Other section provided below. Rate the degree to which the school meets each Indicator by using the following scale: Evidence This Indicator Describes Our School 1. There is no evidence the Indicator describes our school 2. There is limited evidence the Indicator describes our school 3. There is sufficient evidence the Indicator describes our school 4. There is exceptional evidence the Indicator describes our school DK Do not know if this Indicator describes our school Middle States Association Accreditation Standard 1: Philosophy/Mission The Standard: The school has a clearly written and actively implemented mission statement and statement of beliefs that conveys the general and specific purposes of its educational program, expresses expectations for quality, and serves as the basis for daily operational and instructional decision making as well as long-range planning. Stakeholders give input into the development of the school s philosophy/mission and understand and accept it. This document is aligned with the community served and is reviewed periodically by stakeholder representatives. MSA Indicator 1.1 The school takes steps to ensure that students and their families understand and support the school s Mission Statement and Statement of Beliefs. Evidence of Implementation S=3 P=3 Mission statement needs to be prominently displayed on homepage of Archbishop Ryan s web-site and in classrooms. Belief that Archbishop Ryan needs to improve communicating the school s Mission Statement to our students and their families. Staff does incorporate the values of Mission and Beliefs in daily life of the school. B1-2
Incorporate a common theme each school that reflects the values of the school s Mission and Belief Statements Students: School planners need to comeback to students where Mission Statement was published. Archbishop Ryan s Mission Statement should be expanded beyond the Mass and other Religious ceremonies. It seems that is the only time our Mission Statement is clear to the students. Our Mission Statement could be easily be worked into classes and everyday life more and I believe the outcome of students actually believing in our Mission Statement would be greater. I really do feel that Ryan holds its Mission Statement very high and the school tries to really inspire and help the families and students. The communication is definitely there. I believe the new Mission Statement and Statement of Beliefs are very fitting for our school. They are a good improvement. Parents: Recently I received the Archbishop Ryan Advancing the Mission booklet in the mail after reading this I now have a better understanding of the Mission of the school and most importantly where the school is headed long term and what is being done to meet the challenges that face Archbishop Ryan today and will continue to face Ryan as Catholic high school tuition becomes less and less affordable. I do not remember receiving this booklet last year. I believe communication of this type is critical to the parents and needs to continue. 1.2 The Mission Statement and Statement of Beliefs are consistent with ethical norms and demonstrate respect for persons of all races, creeds, and cultures. S=N/A P=N/A ST=4 Archbishop Ryan tries everyday to make our school No Place for Hate. Respect of all students seems to be paramount in Archbishop Ryan s Mission Statement and is evident in the daily life of the Ryan community. Archbishop Ryan s rules are reflective of an approach of respect, acceptance and tolerance. B1-3
Parents: I approve of the environment of Archbishop Ryan High School. The religion learning and education my children are receiving has been excellent. Parents must understand they have to work with the school, with their children at home, giving them direction in order for them to succeed. We live outside of Philadelphia and chose to send them to Archbishop Ryan. My husband is a graduate from the school and his siblings. Each one of them has been successful in their profession. That is another reason for choosing the school. 1.3 The Mission Statement and Statement of Beliefs are free of contradiction, ambiguity, and excessive abstraction. S=N/A P=N/A Alumni: This is a very comprehensive statement of Archbishop Ryan s Mission regarding the students, faculty, and the students preparation to interact the business, academic (higher education), and the Catholic community (the Archdiocese and its parishes). The Mission/Belief/Profile statements need to be distilled down to more simple, clear statements that capture the essence of Ryan. These questions and statements are too wordy and abstract. 1.4 The school implements a system to assess its effectiveness in fulfilling its Mission Statement and Statement of Beliefs. F=2 S=N/A P=N/A Not sure how follow-up assessments are done to evaluate effectiveness of fulfilling Mission/Beliefs ---- where s the scale or test for that, other than the quality and genuineness of the lives that our graduates go on to lead? B1-4
Parents: Archbishop Ryan has done an incredible job in educating my child both scholastically and morally. 1.5 The school s Mission Statement and Statement of Beliefs are clearly communicated in its brochures, promotional materials, policy and procedural handbooks, web site, and similar resources. S=3 P=3 Need to emphasize the importance of bringing back the student planner in order to improve communication of Mission/Belief Statement. There are many benefits to students having the planner including knowledge of the Mission and Belief Statements and rules not to mention organizational skills. Every room in the building should have an eye catching poster made up of a collage of faculty/staff/students pictures with the Mission Statement and Statement of Beliefs imposed within these photos. Continue publicizing the Mission/Belief/Profile Statements and make pamphlet available to the community. Students: Until being asked to serve on the Middle States Planning Committee, I had no clue that we even had Mission Statements. I think the Mission Statement that is intact now is performed in the daily routine at Ryan, and I m pretty sure it used to be in the calendar/planner. I think we should get our planners back, because I miss that Little Guy, and it has the Mission Statement in it for all to see. Other than the brochures, we don t really hear much about our Mission Statement anymore. I feel that it should be stressed more. It might be helpful if we still had our planners and calendars. I think they can do a better job of bringing up the Mission Statement because up until this year I had no idea what it was. B1-5
1. List the significant strengths of the school in the area of Mission Statement and Statement of Beliefs. The daily life of school reinforces school Mission Statement and Statement of Beliefs specifically the liturgies, school conduct rules, lives of teachers, and classroom expectations. 2. List the significant areas for improvement of the school in the area of Mission Statement and Statement of Beliefs. Provide students with school planner and publicize Mission Statement and Statement of Beliefs both on web and in classrooms. Implement a theme each school year reflective of school s Mission Statement and Statement of Beliefs, and reflect the theme around retreats, assemblies, and classroom activities throughout the school year. 3. Based on the strengths and areas for improvement identified, list any important next steps or strategic priorities related to Mission Statement and Statement of Beliefs that should be included in the action plan in the Plan for Growth and Improvement (see Part D.9.). Return to handing out students a handbook in September and possibly a school calendar. This past year our budget has caused our school not to make available these two important items to our school families. Our Mission Statement and Statement of Beliefs were always published in these mediums. Adopt a theme reflective of our Mission Statement and Statement of Beliefs each school year - for example, last year s theme, No Place for Hate - and incorporate this yearly theme into the daily life of our school. Instructions for Self-Assessment of Standard for Accreditation After a rating has been assigned for each of the Indicators of Quality and after considering those ratings in the aggregate, make a determination whether, based on the school community s selfassessment, the school meets or does not meet this Standard for Accreditation. Our self-assessment is that our school is in adherence with this Standard for Accreditation Our self-assessment is that our school is not in adherence with this Standard for Accreditation B1-6