The New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Inc. (NEASC), is the nation’s oldest regional accrediting association. Their mission is to establish and maintain high standards for all levels of education, from pre-K to the doctoral level. NEASC serves more than 2,000 public and independent schools, colleges and universities in six New England states, and oversees the accreditation of more than 95% of all public high schools in New England, including Wayland High School.
The NEASC develops and applies standards, combined with pertinent state and federal regulations, to assess the effectiveness of educational institutions. Its three-phase accreditation process is school-based and site-specific, involving: 1) a 12-month Self-Study by the school and community, 2) an on-site evaluation by a Peer Review team, and 3) a commitment to continuous improvement through required follow up activities. Following evaluations, the NEASC actions can include initial and continued accreditation, warning, and recommendations for probation and termination. A status list of schools on probation is public information.
Wayland High School was most recently reviewed in 2005 and the NEASC’s findings were reported to Wayland in a letter to Principal Charles P. Ruopp dated October 21, 2005. While the NEASC “was impressed with many of the programs and services at Wayland High School”, they also “expressed…serious concern related to a number of facilities, space, and health and safety issues throughout the campus facilities.” Examples of these concerns include the following:
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The limited extent to which the present school site and plant support all aspects of the educational program and services
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The severe overcrowding throughout the building, including the number of small classrooms
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The failure of the current physical plant and facilities to meet all applicable federal and state laws and maintain compliance with local fire, health and safety regulations
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The lack of handicapped accessibility to the second floor of the arts building, the field house and the lecture hall
While the NEASC continued WHS’s accreditation, school officials were requested to submit a Special Progress Report providing detailed information on actions taken to address NEASC’s issues.
On March 15, 2006, Principal Charles P. Ruopp sent a Special Progress Report to Janet D. Allison of the NEASC. This report discussed Wayland’s struggle to balance short-term improvements with a long-term renovation or construction project. The report discussed improvements that had been implemented (e.g. new Modular Science classrooms opened in March 2006) and improvements that were planned (e.g. long-range technology plan, prioritized list of building code compliance issues.) In the report, however, Wayland was unable to take action on several of the NEASC issues because these issues could only be resolved with “a major renovation or new construction project” which requires Town approval.
The NEASC responded to Wayland’s Special Progress Report in a letter to Principal Charles P. Ruopp on August 4, 2006. While the NEASC had decided to continue Wayland’s accreditation, they also “remained concerned about the delay in the development of a long-range plan to fully resolve all identified space and facilities issues.” Wayland is now required to provide a Special Progress Report every two years, and if sufficient progress in addressing space and facilities issues is not demonstrated, the NEASC will determine if Wayland should be placed on probation, which could lead to the termination of accreditation.
For more information:
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Special Progress Report to Janet D. Allison of the NEASC, March 15, 2006
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NEASC Letter to Charles P. Ruopp, August 4, 2006