ICS WASC
WASC Accreditation
South Coast Chinese Cultural Association (SCCCA)/Irvine Chinese School is pleased to announce it has been granted accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Supplementary Education Center/Program through June 2027.
WASC Accreditation denotes an excellent quality of instruction offered in the Center/Program which was noted from the Visiting Committee Report. Visiting Committee members, Ms. Elizabeth Oberreiter and Dr. David L Rose, commented on the Report that “…the Program is operating effectively and is strongly supported by teachers, students, and parents. The instructors are highly qualified and committed to the learning process and the school’s philosophy and curriculum. The learning environment is positive and results in student growth both academically and in their self-confidence as learners…the Program is committed to the WASC accreditation process and ongoing program improvement…The Visiting Committee was impressed with the progress the school has made since its founding in 1976. The Committee also believes that with the current strong leadership and highly competent staff that the school will continue to grow both in student enrollment and academic success.”
What is ACS WASC?
The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) is one of six regional accrediting associations in the United States. The ACS WASC provides assistance to schools located in California, Hawaii, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Fiji, Asia, and other parts of the world.
Why is WASC Accreditation important to SCCCA/ICS?
- Certifies to the public that the school is a trustworthy institution of learning
- Validates the integrity of the school’s program and student transcripts
- Fosters improvement of the school’s programs and operations to support student learning
- Assures a school community that the school’s purposes are appropriate and being accomplished through a viable educational program
- Is a way to manage change through regular assessment, planning, implementing, monitoring and reassessment
- Assists the school in establishing its priority areas for improvement as a result of the perpetual accreditation cycle that includes:
- School self-assessment of the current educational program for students
- Insight and perspective from the visiting committee
- Regular school staff assessment of progress through the intervening years between full self-studies.
What are the criteria used to evaluate all schools?
The criteria are research-based guidelines of systemic school improvement that address accreditation’s central tenet: a school operates with a clear understanding of its purpose. The criteria were developed with the assistance of numerous practicing educational leaders and theorists. The objective was to develop criteria that brought attention to concepts and factors that differentiate between effective and ineffective schools. Since most formal education occurs in an institutional setting, factors that impact institutional effectiveness were considered along with curriculum, instructional strategies and assessment.
What does it mean to become a WASC accredited school?
Accreditation by ACS WASC is an expression of confidence that an institution is trustworthy for high-quality student learning and that it meets or exceeds the Commission’s standards of quality, integrity, and effectiveness. The Commission is concerned with institutional integrity and with performance consistent with Commission standards and policies. ACS WASC is focused on student learning results and continual school improvement and evaluates school on a regular base.