The Martin County School District successfully completed the first two phases of the District’s reaccreditation process through Cognia.
Accreditation is a crucial ongoing process for schools focused on continuous improvement. It’s a rigorous journey that probes the entire District - from policies to learning conditions and cultural context - to determine how well the parts work together to meet the needs of every child.
All education institutions engaging in the accreditation process with Cognia participate in three main phases: Self-Assessment, Engagement and Progress.
During the Self-Assessment phase, launched in August 2023, the District’s Leadership Team for Cognia Reaccreditation collected and analyzed data with the guidance of Cognia protocol. The purpose of this data was to complete the Self-Assessment Diagnostics and demonstrate compliance with the performance standards.
The second phase of accreditation, the Engagement Review, was completed on January 31, 2024. The Engagement Review is an in-depth exploration of the institution that uses the evidence collected, plus stakeholder input and expert analysis, to identify noteworthy practices and next steps for improvements.
Initial noteworthy practices identified by Cognia evaluators encompass a positive and encouraging environment for both students and teachers, and students recognizing the emphasis on a successful future after high school.
The next steps for accreditation entail a final report with an Index of Education Quality score and, if the District successfully meets the requirements, confirmation from the Cognia Global Commission during its next quarterly meeting.
Phase three begins in Fall of 2024, which initiates the six-year accreditation cycle and requires the District’s Leadership Team for Cognia Reaccreditation to provide progress reports.
This process would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the District’s Leadership Team for Cognia Reaccreditation, which includes the following individuals:
· Dr. Debra George, Coordinator of Title I
· Dr. Paige McMahon, Coordinator of Mathematics
· Dr. Melissa Riviotta, Executive Director of Principals and Professional Standards
· Mr. Troy LaBarbara, Assistant Superintendent of Academics
· Dr. Tracey Miller, Deputy Superintendent
"Earning reaccreditation is a vital step to achieve our goal of becoming the preeminent school system in the state and nation, guiding our commitment to excellence," shared Superintendent of Schools Michael Maine. "We celebrate our success and remain dedicated to strengthening areas of achievement while focusing on opportunities for improvement."
The District is additionally grateful to the educators, students and community members who played a role to help drive positive changes and enhance education outcomes.