In case the link goes down
MU High School
The University of Missouri-Columbia High School (MU High School) is a part of the University of Missouri Center for Distance and Independent Study, and is accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement.
The mission of the University of Missouri-Columbia High School is to provide distance learning courses, through a variety of delivery methods, that will complement traditional high school curricula and provide an accredited diploma program for independent learners of all ages seeking an alternative to traditional high school attendance.
MU High School offers a convenient, credible option for homeschool students, rural students seeking college preparation, gifted students seeking challenges, or students who need to catch up on a few courses. MU High School offers a diverse and comprehensive curriculum that includes over 180 courses. Many courses are available online (see online courses).
Students may use our courses and apply credit earned to graduate from their own high school, or to achieve their personal academic goals. Please check with your high school counselor for specific information concerning your school district's policies on independent study.
MU High School offers an online diploma—you can take all the courses you need to complete a diploma online. For more information about the MU High School Online Diploma...
http://www.ncacasi.org/about/about
About the NCA Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement
Overview
Founded in 1895, the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) is a non-governmental, voluntary organization that accredits more than 9,000 public and private schools in 19 states, the Navajo Nation, and the Department of Defense Dependents' Schools worldwide. For over 100 years, our focus has been to advance the quality of education. Our Vision, Mission, and Values are available online.
You may remember us as having been called the NCA Commission on Schools. In 2001 we changed our name to the Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. A document about the reasoning behind the change and the meaning of the new name is online.
Schools
NCA CASI accredits a range of schools from pre-kindergarten through post-secondary, including: early childhood, elementary, middle, secondary, adult/vocational, college preparatory, special purpose, unit (K-12), and non-degree granting post-secondary schools.
NCA CASI Performance Accreditation
To earn NCA CASI accreditation, schools must:
Meet NCA CASI's quality standard and criteria.
The standard and criteria require a broad and rigorous curriculum, highly qualified staff, appropriate pupil-teacher ratios, safe and secure facilities, and other components necessary to provide a quality education. The complete standard and criteria is online.
Implement a school improvement plan focused on increasing student performance.
Host at least two peer review/evaluation visits during the school improvement cycle.
Document the results of their school improvement efforts.
Because the NCA CASI accreditation process is geared to helping schools document increased student performance, it is called the Performance Accreditation framework.
Benefits of NCA CASI Accreditation
NCA CASI accreditation provides:
A Mark of Excellence
NCA CASI accreditation assures the public that the school is meeting high quality standards and implementing a school improvement plan focused on increasing student performance.
A Proven Process for Increasing Student Performance
NCA CASI helps schools increase performance for all students. A six-year study of schools actively involved in the NCA CASI school improvement process revealed that 79% achieved verifiable gains in student achievement.
Transfer of Credits
NCA CASI accreditation provides students with the assurance that credits earned in one NCA school will be accepted by another regionally accredited school if the student moves to another state.
Access to Programs and Scholarships
Accreditation can also benefit students as they participate in specific sports programs, apply for federal grants or scholarships, or pursue admission to colleges, technical schools, or military programs that require students to come from regionally accredited schools.
A Vehicle to Meet State and Federal Requirements
NCA CASI provides one, streamlined process that helps schools meet state and federal requirements while earning regional accreditation.
Peer Review and Support
NCA CASI coordinates peer review visits to every accredited school. This process offers teachers and administrators an opportunity to gain valuable input from their peers as well as visit, review and analyze the practices and plans of other schools. This process also protects the public trust, as all schools are examined by an outside team and have had their improvement plans reviewed by experts.
Professional Development
NCA CASI provides a range of professional development opportunities, including: state school improvement workshops, regional training sessions, and our annual meeting which has over 100 practitioner-led sessions focused on helping schools raise student achievement. Our catalog of events and staff development opportunities is here.
Publications
NCA CASI publishes a variety of tools, materials, handbooks, and documents designed to assist schools with the school improvement process. These include: the NCA CASI School Improvement Handbooks, NCA CASI School Improvement Software Suite, Journal of School Improvement, e-News, Raising Student Achievement Success Story Series, and others. Our directory of publications is online.