In a letter to Oleai principal Glenn P. Muna on Tuesday, the accrediting commission lauded the improvements and progress seen by the visiting team during its review in March.
“WASC is pleased to announce the action taken by the accrediting commission for schools granting Oleai Elementary School a six-year term of accreditation with a midterm review, expiring on June 30, 2014,” said Tomas C. Beecher, the commission chairman.
He said the action was taken after a careful study of the report which noted many laudable aspects of the school.
“The commission is confident that your continuing efforts to improve the school will be reinforced by prompt attention to the critical areas for follow-up integrated into the action plan,” Beecher told Muna.
Oleai applied for accreditation in 1992 and was granted a three-year term in 1996.
In 2002, it received a six-year accreditation which was granted again this year.
The visiting committee report highlighted the school-wide areas of strength showed by Oleai. These included providing a safe, healthy, nurturing environment that reflects the school’s purpose of educating all students.
The team noted the students’ good behavior, friendliness and eagerness to learn which “contribute to the overall positive climate of Oleai,” and the “dedication and commitment of the teachers to the mission that were demonstrated well beyond the classroom and the school day.”
The accrediting team lauded the community and parent support demonstrated in the numerous contributions in voluntary time, monies and attendance in school events.
The school’s youthful administrative team, the WASC report stated, is also enthusiastic, energetic and committed to school improvement.
WASC said the school was able to use its limited resources to maximize student learning.
There were three “critical concerns” identified by WASC during its last visit in 2002, and these were all addressed by Oleai.
OES “utilized assessment data of student learning to drive the development of the school’s action plan that can be implemented in a timely manner and reviewed regularly to determine its effectiveness.”
The school likewise “implemented standards-based curriculum and standards-based classroom instructional practices in all subject areas, especially in reading.”
Moreover, the school “developed a systematic process to review and monitor the progress of the school’s action, ensuring the engagement of all stakeholders.”
The most critical areas for follow-up, according to WASC, are reading improvement, facilities, communications and finance.
