Adventures in PAASCU Accreditation

I was recently invited by Madame Sheila Dayrit, school director of St. Mary's Angels College Valenzuela (SMACV) to a meeting and a round table discussion on school library development. The context being that the school will soon be undergoing its first formal survey by the Philippine Association of Accredited Schools Colleges and Universities (PAASCU). As a candidate school, they are preparing for this accreditation visit with nervous excitement.

Memories of past PAASCU experiences come to mind. When I was a school librarian in Xavier School, I had three PAASCU experiences -- two visits as part of the library staff, and the last as the library coordinator so, that made me a member of the PAASCU Executive Committee.

Accreditation is a lot of work. A two day visit is 4-3 years of preparation. After a PAASCU visit by accreditors, one could only heave a sigh of relief. What makes the experience truly meaningful is the involvement of each member of the community. Personally, I appreciate being a PAASCU accreditor. I have so much to thank for.  Being involved in the process of accreditation is a learning experience. Both parties learn -- the accreditors and the school community being accredited. Even the PAASCU learns along the way. The organization is in constant reflection of its processes, systems and procedures. I have had the pleasure of sitting in several assemblies and round table discussions to revise and improve the self survey instrument for Library and AV/Media centers.

In 2009, PAASCU recognized my volunteer work as one of their accreditors for Library and AV/Media Center by giving me the Fr. James Meany SJ Award. I was no longer in Xavier School then, but the award affirmed my vocational calling and answered a question I have kept in my prayers for so long. 

There are people who see PAASCU accreditation as an exercise of compliance, a dog and pony show, and its result will lead the school to raise its tuition fees. I don't blame them. We all are human beings after all. But the fact that it is founded by a Jesuit priest (some will raise an eyebrow), traces of Ignatian charism permeates its system, process and ethos. It will take a while for the rest to figure this out.

For the meantime, I will speak my truth and I hold it lightly in my hands.

Accreditation is Building a Learning Community

PAASCU Work In Malolos, Bulacan

I was out again for accreditation work at the Holy Spirit Academy of Malolos, Bulacan (HSAM) last February 5-6, 2008. It's my tenth accreditation visit since 2004 so by next year, I'll be joining the PAASCU annual assembly.

Here is a photo of the accrediting team that went to HSAM. L-R - Yours truly; Ms. Analiza Salaya of St. Mary's Academy, Caloocan; Dr. Rosalie Trongco of St. Mary's Academy, Manila; Sis Tessie Babaran, SFIC of St. Joseph's College, Balanga, Bataan; Sis Corazon SSpS of HSAM; Mrs. Emelina Mesa of St. Therese's College; Mrs. Angie Paderanga of Sta. Catalina College, Manila. Standing behind is Alex Gesmundo, the PAASCU representative who gave us all valuable assistance during the two day visit.

PAASCU visits and meetings can be long and tedious. The deliberation would take hours, but with Sis Tessie Babaran, we finished just in time to get back home to Manila before the rush hour. Needless to say, it was a thorough and efficient PAASCU work.

PAASCU Work

This group was the accrediitng team for the Divine Word College Legaspi PAASCU accreditation. Standing L-R - Mr. Henry Davalos, Principal, San Felipe Neri Parochial School; Ms. Mafe, PAASCU Rep. Seated L-R, yours truly; Mrs. Dreena Del Mundo, Principal CSC, MIriam College; Ms. Jane Gonzales, Coordinator Aralin Panlipunan, School of the Holy Spirit; Ms. Dianne Sibug, Guidance Coordinator, St. Scholastica's College Marikina and Mr. Marc Hernandez, PAASCU Commissioner and Chairman of the Accrediting Team.

This photo was taken right after breakfast yesterday. Soon after, we left for the airport for our flight back to Manila. For the record, this PAASCU visit has been the most enjoyable, so far.

There are two sides to PAASCU work, you see. One is the tremendous job of thoroughly looking into the school's recommendations by reading the reports, seeing and viewing documents and conducting interviews. The other side is the honor and respect afforded to the accreditors. It works both ways when you think about it because the real purpose of accreditation visit is to help the school and in the process, for the accreditor, learn something new from the school visited.

I like going to PAASCU work for that reason. I see other teachers teaching. I meet other librarians and I get the opportunity to touch base with them in their own context and experiences. I realize that out there are teaching practices and programs if not better than "ours", quite unique and very effective.

PAASCU work is really a humbling experience.

Seeing Mt. Mayon

My heart is pure and my conscience, crystal clear. I saw Mt. Mayon right after our orientation meeting at 3.30 pm. I know the photo is foggy, that;s because the sky is gray and the fog is still very thick. But my eyes did not betray me. It was majestic and utterly mysterious. The other accreditors took a photo using the camera in their cell phones. For us Manilenos, it's not everyday that we get a view of Mt. Mayon.

Accreditation work is not easy, but it has its perks.

Back To Bicolandia

The flight from Manila to Legaspi was quick. It took us only 40 minutes on air to land safely very near Mt. Mayon. A thick fog hides it from our view which confirms what local legend tells visitors and natives alike - that only the pure of heart could see it's mysterious beauty.

We have two more days so I'm not giving my hopes up. From December 2-3, 2008, I will be with the team of PAASCU accreditors who will visit the Divine Word College here in Legaspi. And as it goes, my area will be the Instructinal Media Center.

Post PAASCU Blues

For most of my co-teachers and colleagues in the Grade School, PAASCU ended today at 4.15 pm. For members of the Executive Committee, the work is not yet over. There are documents to secure, exhibits to manage and put down by Friday, and, an evaluation of the whole self analysis and visit preparations.

Then, there's the waiting.

We wait for the rating and the reports made by the accrediting team that visited our school, Xavier School. In general, I think we all did quite well. We were well prepared. We knew what to expect. Our hearts were far from faint and our minds were not at all feeble. I feel a sense of accomplishment though my contribution was very little. This is my first time to be a member of the EXECOM and it has been a privilege working with my Principal, our Student Prefect and our Social Studies Coordinator who are all experienced and seasoned PAASCU accreditors themselves.

Right now, as I rest my feet and pour my thoughts out, I could feel exhaustion creep slowly in my bones. The adrenaline rush has ebbed. The nervous excitement has gone. I badly need a rest, but there are miles to go before I sleep.

Death By PAASCU

And so the weeklong PAASCU preparations has come to pass. We now brace ourselves for the actual visit.

It was a week filled with stress and sleepless nights. But it was the kind of pressure I could live with and smile through the following day. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of last week, there was a festive and humorous mood.

There are only two responses to stress, so they say. Either one cries or laughs his heart out. My friend and co-teacher, Jay Perez hangs on for dear life at the wake of PAASCU accreditation. Don't we all need a laugh to tide us over in these trying times?

The Plight of PAASCU Preparations

The High School Unit just had theirs last week. And now, we in the Grade School could feel the fever creeping in our flesh and bones. There is an atmosphere of nervous excitement moving about, like a cold draft that smacks warm in the face. Next week, for two days, November 24-25, 2008, accreditors of the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) will visit Xavier School.

I do not know if I could blog for the next few days. Last week was a busy week already. May our mettle be strong enough to endure and survive.

Live Blogging : PAASCU Visit

I am in Lipa, Batangas right now, accreditng a private Catholic high school. It is the second day and the accrediting team is down pat wrapping up. I can't post details as everything in the PAASCU experience is shrouded with confidentiality. Let it be known, though, that the beauty of accreditation rests on professional networking, growth in the field of education and service students and to colleagues in the profession.

Here we are at the breakfast table this morning. Aren't we a happy bunch?

This PAASCU Accrediitng Team is led by Mrs. Rita Atienza of the Graduate School of the Ateneo De Manila. I have another post in The Coffee Goddess. Click here for the PAASCU post.