Coginchaug Report Card Expected Next Summer

This spring, a team of educators will visit Coginchaug Regional High School as part of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges' (NEASC) accreditation process.

The evaluation takes place every 10 years and is designed to highlight the school's successes while identifying areas where improvement in needed.

"Their whole purpose it to come and look and see how we can be a better school," Craig Bradanini, a Coginchaug math teacher who serves as co-chair of the school's NEASC steering committee, told members of the Board of Education at their Oct. 10 meeting.

For the past two years, Brandanini said every member of the school's faculty has been involved in a thorough self-study of the high school, which includes both curricular and physical aspects.

In March, a NEASC team made up of teachers from other school districts will spend several days at Coginchaug evaluating teachers, staff and students to compare with the self-study.

"They're basically going to validate our own understanding of our strengths and our needs," Coginchaug Principal Andre Hauser said of the evaluation. A decade ago, the NEASC visit resulted in about 50 recommendations, he said.

"If they come in for three days and don’t find anything to point out, they really haven’t done their job," he said.

Following March's visit, the NEASC committee will prepare a lengthy review and make recommendations for the school to implement. The school will then be given a 2-year or 5-year period to make the necessary changes to maintain accreditation. 

The NEASC report, which will be made available to the public, is expected to be completed by the end of summer.

The site visit will take place in March 17-20. 

Any parents or members of the community interested in being involved with the visit are encouraged to contact the school.