Pocomoke Schools Receive Re-accreditation through Middle States Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools -- Educators Lead the Way to School Improvement --

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        Contact:        Laura Bishop/Caitlin Dunican
May 31, 2011                                                                                      (856) 642-6226



POCOMOKE, MD – The Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS), based in Philadelphia, Pa., announced that
Pocomoke Elementary School, accredited since 2004; Pocomoke Middle School, accredited since 2004; and Pocomoke High School, accredited since 1963 recently earned re-accreditation. The schools earned accreditation by completing an intensive evaluation process culminating in a multi-day visit to the schools by a volunteer team of regional educators appointed by Middle States.

During the visit, the Middle States team met with and interviewed members of the school communities including teachers, students, parents and administrators, as well as representatives of the governing boards. Team members toured the facilities, studied plans for school improvement and documentation related to the schools’ operation and student performance and observed classrooms.

The schools join a network of more than 3,600 schools accredited by the Middle States Association in the mid-Atlantic region and in more than 80 countries around the world. Middle States accreditation is recognized around the world as an indication of educational quality.

“MSA’s accreditation process goes beyond simply test scores to measure a school’s overall effectiveness,” said MSA-CESS President Henry G. Cram, Ed.D. “Members must take responsibility for their students’ performance, be committed to public accountability and dedicated to continuous improvement.”

To become an accredited member in the Middle States Association, a school must meet the association’s rigorous standards, undertake a comprehensive year-long self-study and host an onsite visit by a team of regional educational professionals.

According to Cram, school quality is best measured by individual student growth over time and the value added by the educational experience the school provides. 

“Accreditation helps a school and its community to understand how it is doing, but more importantly, learn what it needs to do to improve—a key element missing from most other school assessments,” said Cram.
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About the Middle States Association (MSA)
Based in Philadelphia, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is the internationally recognized leader in the accreditation of educational institutions, schools, and colleges in the mid-Atlantic region and around the world. The association consists of three commissions - Higher Education, Secondary and Elementary.  The commissions
accredit educational institutions in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and in more than 80 countries around the world.

About the Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)
The Middle States Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools accredits more than 3600 public, non-public and charter elementary, middle, intermediate and secondary schools as well as non-degree granting career and technical postsecondary institutions, special purpose schools, supplementary education centers, educational service units and distance education institutions.

For more information about accreditation through the Middle States Association visit www.middlestates.org.




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