Over the past weeks, it has become evident that there is significant confusion about opportunities for district and building accreditation provided through our Michigan Department of Education (MDE). To gain clarification and direction, we have worked with our education colleagues in the Education Alliance of Michigan and representatives from MDE.
MDE has acknowledged our collective concerns and is committed to the development of a process that will bring clarity to questions about accreditation and a plan for moving forward in support of our Michigan schools.
Accreditation Questions and Clarification
Section 380.1280 of the Michigan School Code describes a process for schools to be accredited through our Michigan Department of Education. Michigan Legislature – Section 380.1280
Q: Is the process identified in Section 380.1280 currently being implemented?
A: MDE has indicated that there is no plan to implement this outdated policy and will begin to address the issue with the Michigan Legislature.
Q: Are any districts/schools currently accredited by the State of Michigan?
A: There are no Michigan districts/schools that are accredited by MDE.
Michigan Integrated Continuous Improvement Process (MICIP)
The Michigan Integrated Continuous Improvement Process (MICIP) is a pathway for districts to improve student outcomes by assessing whole child needs to develop plans and coordinate funding.
Q: If my district/schools engage in the MICIP process, are we accredited?
A: MDE is clear that MICIP is not an accreditation process. No Michigan districts/schools are accredited through engagement with the MICIP process.
Accreditation Requirements in Michigan
While accreditation requirements significantly vary from state to state, there is currently no accreditation requirement for schools in Michigan.
The Education Alliance of Michigan and MDE recognizes that the absence of a Michigan accreditation requirement does not eliminate the value of accreditation for schools in Michigan and across the United States. While the value of accreditation is rooted in an institution’s continuous improvement efforts and validated through external review, accreditation provides definitive acknowledgement for:
- State-awarded scholarships available only to students from accredited schools
- Distance or online learning credits required to be from accredited provider
- Recognition of excellence in education
- Participation in/qualification for numerous federal programs, including J-1 visa requirements
- Successful student application/acceptance to colleges and universities
- Scholarships to colleges and universities
- High school credit transfer/acceptance
- Participation in NCAA activities
The Michigan Integrated Continuous Improvement Process (MICIP) is a pathway for districts to improve student outcomes by assessing whole child needs to develop plans and coordinate funding.
Moving Forward with Accreditation in Michigan
For over two decades, the Michigan Department of Education has had a partnership with Cognia. (AdvancED is now Cognia) Cognia supports accreditation and improvement services for over 36,000 schools and districts across the world. The Alliance and MDE encourages districts and schools seeking accreditation to work directly with Cognia. MDE encourages LEAs to visit the Accreditation (michigan.gov) webpage for more information and Cognia resources.
MDE, in collaboration with Cognia, provides unified online resources designed to comply with federal requirements for having a Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) and assisting Michigan schools and districts with their school improvement and accreditation efforts while avoiding duplication of efforts.
Q: What are my district’s/school’s accreditation options?
A: Through work with the Alliance, Cognia has created direct pathways for reinstatement of accreditation or engagement in new accreditation.
Accreditation Reinstatement
Accreditation Reinstatement
- Michigan districts and schools that have previously been accredited through AdvancED/Cognia and wish to reinstate their accreditation should fill out this form: https://www.cognia.org/michigan
- Districts and schools that dropped accreditation will be reinstated with no penalties or past due fees.
New Accreditation
- Michigan districts and schools that would like to explore possible accreditation can learn more at: Accreditation & Certification – Cognia
- Additional information is available at www.cognia.org
Questions
- Any questions about past accreditation or new accreditation and be answered by contacting:
Michael Nauss, Cognia Michigan Director
michael.nauss@cognia.org
888.413.3669 ext. 5631
For more about the value of regional accreditation, please read The Role of Accountability Systems and Regional Accreditation in Improving K-12 Education.
Learning Together
The Education Alliance of Michigan, in collaboration with Cognia, plans to host a Michigan Accreditation event in early August. We encourage you to consider participation in this event in an effort to bring statewide understanding and alignment of continuous improvement resources and accreditation in Michigan. More information will be available soon.