Press Release

Central High School in Bridgeport will Receive Continued Accreditation from the

New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Bridgeport, CT – March 28^th, 2011 – Officials of Central High School were notified today that the Commission on Public Secondary Schools of the New England Association of Schools (NEASC) and Colleges has recommended that the school receive continued accreditation in the Association. The Commission’s decision was based upon review of an evaluation report prepared by a visiting committee last November. The level of accreditation is determined by NEASC. Central High School won't know if the probationary status will be lifted until the NEASC Commission meets and decides.

Anne Engelson, principal of Central High School, stated: “We feel that the Commission’s decision confirms the results of the extensive self-study which our faculty and administration conducted for twenty-two months. We are convinced that the findings of our self-study, coupled with recommendations of the Commission’s visiting committee, will assist us in developing priorities for further improvements in the school. The Commission requires that accredited schools submit progress reports following the evaluation to indicate the changes we’ve made to improve our school. In anticipation of these progress reports, the professional staff and administration will immediately undertake a follow-up program to review the self-study findings and the visiting committee report to establish the order in which recommendations will be carried out.”

The level of accreditation is pending the final New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) decision. For more information, please visit the Bridgeport Board of Education website at: www.bridgeport.net to be linked to Central High School’s site.

Here are a few key recommendations and commendations, which represent the seven standards which are to be addressed.

1.      Mission and Expectations for Student Learning

a.      Commendations

                                                                              i.      Varied academic offerings and support programs that reflect the belief that all students can achieve academic excellence

b.     Recommendations

                                                                              i.      Develop a plan in the regular review and revision of the school’s Mission and Expectations for Learning

2.      Curriculum

a.      Commendations

                                                                              i.      Central High School provides opportunities for all students to extend student learning beyond the normal course offerings and the school campus.

b.     Recommendations

                                                                              i.      Increase the school’s professional development program to include additional opportunities for teachers to develop and improve their instructional practices

3.      Instruction

a.      Teachers at Central High School are experts in their content areas, knowledgeable about current research on effective instructional approaches, and reflective about their own practices.

b.     Recommendations

                                                                              i.      Increase the school’s professional development program to include additional opportunities for teachers to develop and improve their instructional practices.

4.      Assessment of Student Learning

a.      Commendations

                                                                              i.      Use of data teams to identify best practices

b.     Recommendations

                                                                              i.      Communicate student proficiency with respect to academic, civic, and social expectations both individually and school-wide.

5.      Leadership and Organization

a.      Commendations

                                                                              i.      Commitment of the faculty and staff to the well being and safety of the students

b.     Recommendations

                                                                              i.      Assess the effectiveness of the advisory program and ensure a personalized experience for every student that is linked to Core Values, Beliefs and Learning Expectations

6.      School Resources for Learning

a.      Commendations

                                                                              i.      Numerous partnerships with community agencies

b.     Recommendations

                                                                              i.      Develop a process to ensure resources, programs, and services are equitably allocated to all students.

7.      Community Resources for Learning

a.      Commendations

                                                                              i.      Visible efforts to welcome parents and families into the educational process

b.     Recommendations

                                                                              i.      Develop and implement a plan to improve maintenance procedures and funding for technology repair and replacement

The New England Association of School and Colleges is a voluntary membership organization of more than 2000 public and independent schools, colleges and universities, and vocational, technical, and career institutions. Of these, approximately 650 schools have been accredited through the Association’s Commission on Public Secondary Schools. The Association works with individual schools to improve the quality of education through a continuous process of evaluation and accreditation.

For interviews with the Central High School team, who has been working diligently on this work, please contact: Veronica Douglas-Givan, Director of Communications and External Affairs at: (203) 275.1015 or email her at: vdouglas-givan@bridgeportedu.net.

 The mission of the Bridgeport Public Schools and its supporting community is to graduate all students “college ready” and prepared to succeed in life.  For more information about Bridgeport Public Schools visit our website at www.bridgeportedu.com.