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Northwest Association of Accredited
Schools
The Northwest Association of Accredited
Schools ("the Association") was formed as a voluntary organization
in 1917 by 25 secondary schools and eight higher institutions in four
northwestern states. By June 2005, this membership increased to 1,709.
Presently, the organization functions in seven states: Alaska, Idaho,
Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington and in several foreign
countries around the world.
PLEASE NOTE: On this page, "the Association" refers
to the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, not the Association
of Washington School Principals.
What does accreditation mean?
When the Association accredits a school, it is certifying that
the school has met the prescribed quantitative and
qualitative standards of the Association,
within the terms of the school's own stated mission and beliefs. It is
also certifying that the school has undergone a self-study and
validation by an outside team of peers, upon application
for membership, and once every six years thereafter. Each
member school must also be involved in a continual school improvement
process (SIP) that must be reported as part of the
school's peer-reviewed oral progress report to the
Association.
Accredited schools are members of one of the nation's six regional
accrediting associations. Being an accredited association member
implies that the school subscribes to a process of voluntary
self-regulation that is a constructive experience designed to improve
the quality of that member school.
Membership Benefits
Accreditation is an important aspect of school effectiveness.
Accreditation in Washington state is closely aligned to the School
Improvement Process of the Office of Superintendent of Public
Instruction (OSPI) and the School Improvement Plan (SIP) required by the
State Board of Education.
Annual Update Reports Required:
In addition to the intrinsic benefits that the school
receives, the public also obtains the following assurances:
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Regional Accreditation assures transferability of credits among
other regionally accredited schools.
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Citizens are assured of accountability and value for their tax
dollars in light of the fact that their school is meeting regional
standards (see links below).
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The community in general is more attractive to prospective incoming
families and businesses when it can be reported that its schools are
accredited.
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Accreditation assures the public that an outgoing process of
evaluation will be a permanent feature of school improvement
practices.
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Through school, the public can receive information regularly on the
extent to which their school is meeting standards.
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Accreditation provides general justification for public confidence
in a member school. It does not affirm that the school is perfect in all
aspects, but it does promise that the school has the resources,
leadership and vitality needed for ongoing improvement.
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Accreditation gives evidence to its public that the school is
meeting expectations and fulfilling standards that transcend
local and state requirements.
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Accreditation assures that other schools, colleges and universities
will accept student credits.
Questions regarding membership may be made directly to Joe Pope,
Northwest Association of Accredited Schools executive secretary, at
800.562.6100 or sandie@awsp.org.
Online Learning Programs
- Northwest Association of Accredited
Schools Consultant Contact Information:
| accreditation, school, Northwest Association of Accredited Schools |
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P (360) 357-7951 or (800) 562-6100 
