IASA Courses

The International Academy of School Accountability

Certification for School Inspectors in a New Age of Accountability

School accountability inspections (also known as examinations, inspections, performance audits, and evaluations) are increasingly important elements of national and state school improvement efforts, and are components of charter school renewal in the US.. Because of new school improvement funding for public schools and increased attention to the charter school movement, there is an increasing need for trained professionals to work as inspectors* performing professional accountability inspections of school performance.

The IASA two-course program is designed for school administrators, educational policy makers, and educators of merit as part of their professional development or to make a full or part time career in school inspection. These courses focus on the specific knowledge and skills required to perform accountability inspections of school performance.

IASA faculty members include Her Majesty's Inspectors from the UK and seasoned inspectors from the US who together, have decades of experience in school accountability in the US, the UK, and the Middle East.

*also referred to as auditors, reviewers, evaluators, and examiners

Course #1: (NU EDU 6656)

Accountability in Public Education: Part I

(20 hours, 2 graduate credits, 20 PDPs)

Course 1 explores various approaches to public accountability and the history and current context of contemporary public education accountability. This includes a review of the increasing national and international demands for school accountability, improved performance, and educational reform, as well as a discussion of who the client base is for performance audits. The course examines concepts and different approaches to performance measurement, ethics in accountability work, which includes the importance of independence and objectivity, and current practice in educational accountability.

Course #2: (NU EDU 6657)

Accountability in Public Education: Part II

(20 hours, 2 graduate credits, 20 PDPs)

Course 2 explores the application of concepts learned in Accountability in Public Education (a course prerequisite) in the context of state and national school accountability. Participants will examine and develop the knowledge and skills required to perform accountability inspections of schools. Training will include effective methods for the evaluation of evidence, the review and analysis of data and documentation against a client's standards and indicators, effective interviewing techniques, classroom observation methods, writing effective notes and reports, supporting findings with evidence, and effectively collaboration in team discussions to achieve consensus on findings.

Courses will be presented in Massachusetts and Tennessee, or worldwide, by arrangement.

The first scheduled course will be held at the Class Measures offices in Woburn, MA:

Courses 1 and 2: Friday Night Sept 24 and Sat-Sun, Sept 25-26, and
Friday Night Oct. 22 and Sat-Sun, Oct. 23-24

Fridays classes are from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday classes run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuition for forty hours of instruction, four graduate credits from Northeastern University, forty PDPs, and credentialing as a Certified School Inspector is $2600, or $1600 with PDPs and certification, no credits.

For further information, please contact Alison Fraser at alisonclassmeasures@verizon.net

IASA Inspector Certification Program Application »