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Matatula Elementary School accredited for six years

Matatula Elementary School sign
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) has accredited Matatula Elementary School for six-years and this action was taken by the Commission during its Winter 2022 meeting.

The Commissioners have determined that Matatula Elementary (K-8) meets the ACS WASC criteria for accreditation, which is based on all of the information provided by the school including the school’s report, and the satisfactory completion of the accreditation visit, according to the Commission’s Feb. 18 letter to the school, that was publicly released this week by the local Education Department (ASDOE)

“It is the decision of the Commission to grant six-year accreditation status through June 30, 2028 with a mid-cycle visit during the 2024-2025 school year,” wrote Commission chairperson, Dr. R. David Gaudi Jr., to Matatula Elementary principal Melody Ponausuia-Kitiona.

According to the letter, the school is required to prepare an in-depth progress report for the mid-cycle visit. The report and visit should demonstrate that the school has: addressed the critical areas for follow-up through the schoolwide action plan; made appropriate progress on the implementation of the schoolwide action plan; and improved student achievement relative to the schoolwide learner outcomes and the academic standards.

“Accreditation status is conditioned upon Matatula Elementary’s continued adherence with ACS WASC policies, procedures and criteria for accreditation,” wrote Dr. Gaudi Jr. And this includes a requirement that an accredited school annually contribute members to participate on visiting committees.

“Failure to maintain compliance with said policies, procedures, and standards is grounds for modification and/or withdrawal of the accreditation,” according to the chairperson, who noted that the Commission looks forward to Matatula Elementary’s anticipated success and continuing improvement in keeping with ACS WASC’s pursuit of excellence in elementary, secondary and adult education.