Notes From The Field
Written by: Christian Talbot (posted Wed, February 19th, 2025 | 9:33 am)
I just served as a professional peer reviewer on an accreditation visit. Once again, I was reminded of the magic of this work we do.
Here are three invaluable opportunities that come from serving on an accreditation visiting team:
1 | See the System
As a professional peer reviewer, you will see the entire system of a school in just three days. That is because Middle States standards and indicators map to every aspect of school operations—from daily classroom practices to long-term planning to foundational documents.
If you are an administrator, seeing another school’s system will give you new ideas to consider for your own school.
And if you are a full-time classroom teacher, an accreditation visit will illuminate how your individual work connects to—and is supported by—a living, dynamic system.
Either way, you’ll find yourself saying, “That’s so interesting—tell me more about that,” and “I never thought of that before!”
2 | 1 + 1 + 1 = 5
My team included Bro. Patrick from Chaminade (NY) and Danielle from Malvern Prep (PA). Although we have worked in similar schools (and in fact I worked at each of their schools earlier in my career), the three of us brought distinct perspectives and experiences to our work as an accreditation team.
Bro. Patrick tended to ask open-ended questions to triangulate claims in the school’s self-study with responses from the school’s stakeholders. Danielle often asked questions aimed at the thoroughness of policies and practices, like, “Have you thought about…?” and “What does it look like when…?” And my questions focused on strategy and long-term thinking.
If we had been asking questions to check boxes, the result would have been additive: 1 + 1 + 1 = 3. Instead, Bro. Patrick’s triangulation revealed patterns that informed Danielle’s process questions. And Danielle’s questions clarified nuances about the school’s strategy that I could explore. That teamwork led to questions whose impact was more like 1 + 1 + 1 = 5.
3 | The “Ethic”
Accreditation is professional peer review for the purpose of school improvement.
Because it is “professional,” it depends on the qualifications and training of its members.
Because it is a “review,” consequential action is taking place.
And because it is focused on “school improvement,” it has a moral dimension.
Together, those features signal an ethical reality: Accreditation centers on a commitment to a higher purpose and a greater good—namely, the development of students during the most formative period of their lives, and the support of the adults who help those learners.
At Middle States, our accreditation visiting teams act with technical excellence but we are not technocrats. We are “critical friends.” Our purpose is to validate a school’s great work and share feedback on areas for growth.
If that sounds a lot like being a teacher, it’s not a coincidence. Professional peer reviewers embrace an ethic that has real, positive consequences.
So what should you do?
Sign up to join a visiting team in the Fall of 2025.
Forward this email to the one person you know would make a great visiting team member.
PS: My deep thanks to Villa Walsh Academy (NJ) for hosting our team, and to Bro. Patrick and Danielle for demonstrating the power of collaborative peer review in action!
PPS: If you’re curious about how great school leaders create change through processes like accreditation, be sure to check out “Crossing the Chasm” and “Climbing Out of the Chasm” on MSA’s Evolution Academy.
