T'ville schools undergoing accreditation review now
By Arthur McLean Editor

THS Principal Brian Clayton reviews accreditation materials with THS students.

In an effort to continue improving and to solidify its reputation as a high quality educational system, Thomasville City Schools will be undergoing a system-wide SACS accreditation review next week.

All three schools in the system are currently accredited, but they do so each three years on an individual basis. SACS is the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

"Three years ago, however, administrators decided to attempt a relatively new process that they had heard about at the state meeting. Instead of each school attempting to renew accreditation during three different years, all of the city's schools would work together to gain district accreditation at one time," said Carolyn Drinkard, coordinator of the project.

Thomasville is the only school system in southwest Alabama to attempt gaining system-wide accreditation. Statewide, only eight other school systems have tried it, but state education officials believe that district accreditation will become the norm throughout the state in the future.

"District accreditation will benefit students, teachers, parents, and the Thomasville community," said Vic Adkison, superintendent of schools. "For students, accreditation improves student performance, eases transferring from one accredited school to another, and provides access to scholarships and programs."

Sandra Williams, the THS academic counselor, said accreditation helps students when pursuing collegiate scholarships. "This time of year I spend about 50 percent of my time counseling students about the application process, entrance exams, and financial aid and scholarships. By meeting higher standards, out students will be more competitive in pursuing scholarships at all
levels." Last year, Thomasville
students won $400,000 in
scholarships.
  A special board meeting will
be held at the Thomasville
Elementary School Wednesday,
April 18 at 1 p.m. to hear the
results of the SACS accreditation
      review. The public is invited
    to this meeting.
  System-wide accreditation is
another step in school system
improvement, taking seriously
the motto that the school system
      is preparing lifelong learners,
according to Adkison. In other areas, all schools have met 100 percent of Alabama's accountability goals. Dual enrollment partnerships between Alabama Southern Community College and THS have been formed. Nearly 98 percent of the staff has met the No Child Left Behind Act's standards for being high qualified. Five teachers have now received national board certification.

Reader Comments

No comments have been posted. Be the first!

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
Frances Nichols passes at 91	1
Bryant is a contestant in Ms. Senior Alabama Pageant	1
Dunagans to celebrate golden anniversary	1