Welcome to the 
Indiana North Central Association 
Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement!

     The North Central Association  Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement is a nationally recognized regional accrediting organization whose purposes are to accredit schools and  to support schools in their efforts for school improvement. It is a not-for-profit, voluntary membership organization of approximately 9,100 schools in a 19-state region plus schools of the Department of Defense Dependents and Navajo Nation. In Indiana, the NCA CASI represents 561 elementary, middle and secondary, optional special function, unit, college prep and adult/vocational schools.
     NCA CASI was originally formed in 1895 as a society to discuss and resolve issues relating to education in the late 1800s. By 1901, the Association had appointed a Commission on Accredited Schools to develop standards for schools. In 1904, the Association approved its first list of 156 accredited schools. Indiana's Emmerich Manual was the first Indiana school to be accredited by this Association, followed shortly by Alexandria-Monroe High School.
     In 1965, the Commission began a re-evaluation program requiring self-study and peer review visits on a regular schedule. The requirement was that each member participate in a self-study and team visit at least once during each seven-year cycle (now a five-year cycle). NCA CASI provides a school improvement model focusing on achieving growth in student learning. It is a process for change and accountability. The NCA CASI process requires planning, implementing, and assessing using a data-driven results-oriented model.
     The Indiana North Central Association  Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement office is sponsored by Indiana State University.  We are housed in the School of Education on the 12th floor.  We are proud of our affiliation with ISU, the support we receive from the faculty and staff, and the assistance we get from individual staff members as we strive to help schools promote the school improvement processes.
     If you are interested in learning more about the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, the services it offers, and the requirements for membership, contact us at 1-800-468-7405.
                                            

The University of Nebraska at Lincoln and NCA CASI have developed a partnership that enables personnel from NCA member schools to participate in the School Improvement Specialist Program.  This program involves taking four on-line courses from UNL on school improvement topics that range from Developing a Readiness to Completing the Cycle.  The program not only benefits the participants as they become certified School Improvement Specialists upon successful completion of the course, but also their schools and districts.  It prepares them to be leaders in the school improvement process and offers the opportunity to develop and train quality teacher-leaders.  Click UNL-NCA School Improvement Specialist Program for more information.