Independent Schools Association Of The Southwest

Programs: Isas identifies, presents, and promotes programs and opportunities for the professional development of isas teachers, administrators, and staff of member schools. The isas staff reviews these programs and evaluates participation and outcomes, making suggestions for new offerings and improvements to existing conferences. Isas conducted two heads of school meetings with professional development offerings, an admissions directors' conference, an institute for beginning teachers, a conference for school business officers, a division heads conference, a conference for board of trustees chairs, a technology directors' conference, a retreat for administrative assistants and a new arts directors conference.

isas promotes the highest professional and ethical standards of educational excellence for independent schools in the region and recognizes by formal ongoing accreditation those schools which demonstrate adherence to its standards. Isas regularly reports on the evaluation of member schools and on the accreditation process to state commissions which have been delegated responsibility for independent school accreditation by state education departments or legislatures. Membership is open to college preparatory independent schools which meet the standards of the association on a continuing basis. Member schools progress through a ten-year evaluation cycle. This was accomplished for ten member schools during the year with ongoing evaluation required from interim reporting by six other schools. One new school qualified for membership in the 2016-2017 school year. Four schools qualifed for recognition of accreditation status. Isas reported on member schools to state education departments as required and served on commissions reporting to state education departments in other states and a national commission on accreditation sponsored by the national association of independent schools.