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CAROLINA
SPRINGS ACADEMY (CSA)
aka
MAGNOLIA HILLS CHRISTIAN
National Association of Accredited
Schools (NAAS) Report Findings
November 6-7, 2008
On November 6-7, 2008, the NAAS completed
their Visiting Team Report for Residential School Accreditation for
Carolina Springs Academy. (CSA is
affiliated with the World Wide Specialty Programs of Schools (WWASPS)/Premier
Educational Systems).
Of the total 116 total quality indicators
used in determining compliance with the Standards of Membership,
information provided to CAICA indicates that 32 have not been met
and 24 are only partially met. Taken together, this represents
48.3%, or almost half, of the indicators not being partially met or,
not met at all.
Below are some of the results of the NAAS'
findings.
- CSA has no Mission Statement in place
to guide its directors and staff.
- Materials do not meet course
objectives, reading materials are not appropriate to the reading
level competence of the students and materials were found to be
out of date.
- Instructional materials, technology,
equipment, supplies, facilities, and staffing levels were not
sufficient to implement the curriculum effectively.
- Development evaluation and revision of
curriculum to meet student performance are lacking.
- The school did not commit sufficient
time, financial resources, and personnel to the development,
evaluation, and revision of curriculum.
- At the time the report was issued CSA
had no plan to update and expand its textbook and computer-based
curricula.
The Response Team required the school to
develop an action plan by February 1, 2009 as to how it will
address the recommendations in the report and those standards
that were "partially met" or "not presently met". The school is
then expected to report annually on its progress toward
achieving those recommendations as prioritized in the action
plan. While we are not aware
whether or not CSA met these requirements, we are aware that
CSA's license has been
revoked by the Department of
Social Services, Group Home Licensing. It appears they are
reopening as
Magnolia Hills Christian. The
Department of Social Services confirmed Magnolia Hills is not
licensed through their agency.
Below are some of the Response Teams
list of 27 recommendations and comments. In addition to the
educational concerns there were some health concerns.
- The girls' dormitory needs
ventilation besides the existing school fans as the air is
very stale and unhealthy. The lighting is very poor and
needs to be improved. There is a shortage of showers and
restrooms, storage space for each girls' personal items. The
dormitory is not clean.
- The boys' dormitory also needs
ventilation, facilities, etc., as enumerated in the needs in
the girls' dormitory.
- Textbooks need updating. They are
all outdated and in very poor repair. The library needs to
be better located and the material in the library needs to
be updated. Currently there is very little evidence that it
is being used by students.
- The detention rooms need heat,
cleaned and better and maintained. Once detention room was
filled with students' shoes.
- Make better use of the unused
portions of the cafeteria building. The space could possibly
be used as classrooms, limited dormitories, etc. This area
also needs to be cleaned and maintained.
- The cafeteria needs to meet health
and sanitary requirements (as inspected). Students
complained greatly about the entire food service operation,
especially because food was not being completely cooked.
- Consider the bathroom facility
needs. In some toilets and showers, water was found running
and there were obvious leaks in the plumbing. There was no
soap in the restrooms or doors on restrooms or stalls.
- Consider the school grounds and
their upkeep. The school grounds were kept groomed
throughout the year, but stepping stones between the
buildings were loose and thus the source of possible
injuries. Additional landscaping would enhance the
appearance of the campus and would provide a source of
service opportunities for the students.
CSA was asked to evaluate the following
comments received from students by members of the visiting team:
- Not given enough time to shower
(7-8 minutes per student).
- Showers are cold and uneven as to
water temperature.
- Fleas on the carpet and floors.
- Lice and mice are frequently
noticed.
- Mattresses are used to block doors.
- The food is not thoroughly cooked.
- Student grievances were not well
received or listened to.
- The facilities are only cleaned for
the DSS visits.
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