Aurora, Illinois – Communities In Schools of Aurora, has achieved National Accreditation by demonstrating compliance with all Communities In Schools Total Quality System (TQS) standards.
The TQS standards define expectations for effective non-profit business practices and for implementing the Communities In Schools model of integrated student support services at school sites. The site standards are based on a five-year, longitudinal national evaluation conducted by an independent, outside evaluator that documented the impact of the Communities In Schools model. The evaluation revealed that schools implementing the Communities In Schools model with high fidelity had higher graduation rates, lower dropout rates, and performed better than comparison schools in increasing the percentage of students meeting or exceeding math and reading proficiency in 4th and 8th grades, a crucial predictor of high school graduation.
Communities In Schools developed the Total Quality System to establish clear operational guidelines that ensure uniform quality and improved outcomes for all students being served by Communities In Schools affiliates. The TQS system is part of an organization wide commitment to evidence-based practice and the highest standards of accountability.
“We are proud to have achieved our accreditation as it underlies the value of falling in compliance with the high set of standards put in place by Communities In Schools,” said Theresa Shoemaker, Executive Director.
Communities In Schools of Aurora is among the first to receive its national accreditation among the nearly 200 local affiliates that comprise the Communities In Schools network in 25 states and the District of Columbia. Communities In Schools of Aurora is proud to be able to serve the students and schools in the Aurora community and is committed to continue providing a high level of service. Similarly, we are proud of and grateful for the hard work of our staff, volunteers and partners – under the governance of our Board of Directors – that makes our mission possible every day.
Communities In Schools surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Through a school-based coordinator, Communities In Schools connects students and their families to critical community resources tailored to local needs. Working in nearly 3,300 schools in the most challenged communities, in 25 states and the District of Columbia, Communities In Schools serves more than 1.3 million young people and their families. It has become the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization, and the only one proven to increase graduation rates and decrease dropout rates.
Visit our website at www.cisaurora.org.