Introduction ‘Asa lead-in to the self-study report, the head of school and the self-study steering committee are asked to ‘write an introduction typically placed following the title page and table of contents of the report), including note of welcome tothe visiting team. Generally the introduction includes the following components: ‘= Letter of weleome to the visiting team from the head of school + The sehoo!’s mission and philosophy statement. + Self-study stoering committee. + Summary/highlights of the school's constituent survey. Alternatively, these highlights may be integrated into the body of the report as suggested in Appendix V. + School Profle (Appendix Q). Purpose, Goals and Philosophy Overview Focus In narrative form, the self-study eommittee on school philosophy provides an overview of the history of the school and its mission, including the folowing information: ‘© A description of the school: location, type, size, program, and corporate identity. #-Abrief history ofthe school + The school’s statement of philosophy; purposes and objectives with an indication of where the statoment is published, how and when it was last reviewed and officially endorsed by the governing board, and the provision for its dissemination among the school's constituencies, Relevant ISAGS Standards for Membership ‘The achool shall provide any material, either in the body of the repost or in the addendum, that helps demonstrate compliance with the following standards: ‘AT. There shall be full disclosure of the school's mission, policies, programs and practices AS. There shall be a high degree of congruence between the stated mission of the school and the actual program and practices of the school 1. There shall be a clearly articulated and widely disseminated statement of educational mission ‘and philosophy that reflets the individual character ofthe school, based upon sound eduestional tenets. Such a statement shall reflect the characteristics and needs ofthe school’s students, bbe implemented by a specific statement of goals and/or objectives, and be manifested in the educational program. If an ISACS school is religiously affiliated, the aeademic and extracurricular programs must be hased primarily on an educational rationale, 1B2, The governing body shall at least once every seven years review (preferably during Year 7 of the accreditation cycle), review, revise if necessary, and approve the statement of edueational mission ‘and philasophy; it shall be understond and supported by the governing body, administration, faculty, and staff 'B3, Where appropriate, the development and periodic review ofthe philosophy and objectives shall be a collective effort involving faculty, students, administrators, parents and the board of trustees. Related Questions To Answer (Rather than answering the questions seriatim, a procoss tending to produce description, ISACS asks self study committees to use the questions as discussion launching points from which observations and analysis ‘emerge, the preferred content for the sel'study committee report.) Doos the schoo! havea statement of philosophy (andlor mission statement) that reflects the individual character ofthe school, is based spon sound educational tenets and is reflective of the characteristics and needs ofits youth? Ist clearly stated” Is the philosophy implemented by speci statements of goals andlor objectives, and manifested ia the educational program? Is tho total school program in compliance with the statement of philosophy (ISACS' congruence principle’? What procedures were followed inthe development, revision, and adoption ofthe statement? What persons were involved? Is there provision for periodic review? Does the statement reflect the unique character of the school? What use is made af the statement? How is the philosophy statement disseminated to the entire school family? Given the mission ofthe school, what are the philosophical issues implied in and embedded within the very nature ofthe school (eg, for learning difforonees schools, the issue of remediation vs accommodation; for gid schools, the issue of enrichment v3 acceleration for Montessori schools, the issue of pure Montessri vs eclectic approach fr traditional schools, the issues of family vs. achievement orientation, compotion vs, collaboration models, te). In form and structure, isthe statement succinct (one page or s0) yet comprehensive including mission (who we are and why we est), philosophy (hat we believe, and goals for the school, fr learning)? ‘Summer 2013, ISACS Acereditation Guide, 18" edition 29Rotated Statistics By reference to the appropriate section of the school’s survey of constituents, the selfstudy committee on ‘school philosophy reports the extont to which the constituents affirm the school's statement of philosophy ‘and objectives and believe it to be fulfilled by the school Self-Study Conclusions ‘Tho selfstudy committee on schoo! philosophy presents its evaluation of the schools statement of philosophy and objectives and indicates the conclusions it has dravn from its study, indicating strengths, ‘weaknesses or challenges, and any plans and priorities forthe future. ‘Addenda List here any items to be made available in the addenda to the selfstudy (available to the veam when it visits, but not mailed), such as evidence ofthe most recent board endorsement of the school’s statement of philosophy and objectives, 30 ISACS Accreditation Guide, 18% edition ‘Summer 2013