Accreditation Decision
Awarded by the MSDE Decision Committee as a part of the Maryland Accreditation process within 30 days of the validation visit.
- Decision 1: The program is accredited.
- Decision 2: The program is neither accredited nor denied.
- Decision 3: The program is denied accreditation.
Annual Program Evaluation
The annual program evaluation is an opportunity to receive feedback on your program’s policies and practices. It should:
- Include feedback from program administration, staff, families, and community partners.
- Show what improvements are needed to meet your program’s goals for continuous quality improvement.
Annual Update
During each of the first three years of accreditation, your program will submit an Annual Update near the anniversary of receiving your award.
Community Resources Directory
A searchable, organized collection of local services, programs, and organizations to help families find assistance. Resources may include, but are not limited to, outreach for food, housing, healthcare, and child development.
Individual Staff Development Plan
Individual plans that show strengths, interests and areas of improvement for each staff member based on annual staff evaluations. Each plan supports the professional growth of the individual staff member.
Lead Contact
Programs participating in Maryland EXCELS and Maryland Accreditation identify an individual as the Lead Contact for their online profile.
- The Lead Contact is the individual who will receive all email and phone communications.
- The Lead Contact can invite additional users.
- The Lead Contact can change the Lead Contact to another user.
- The Lead Contact can change the program’s business phone number and website.
Program Improvement Plan (PIP)
A Program Improvement Plan is made by programs to identify areas for improvement and steps for achieving higher levels of quality.
- Programs and schools must use the Maryland Accreditation Program Improvement Plan template.
- When submitted during an accreditation cycle, the PIP must include areas of improvement identified from the Self-Appraisal ratings.
- When submitted for an Annual Update, the PIP must include needed improvements based on the most recent validation visit ratings.
Re-validation Visit
The second validation visit for a program that is awarded a Decision 2.
Self-Appraisal Rating
Self-Appraisal ratings are a process of reflection and program review to find strengths and needed improvement for your program/school.
Self-Appraisal Team
This team is created by the program/school and:
- Can include staff, family members and community partners.
- Will work together to evaluate your program/school.
- Will complete the Initial Self-Appraisal ratings and the Final Self-Appraisal ratings.
Technical Assistance
The optional support for programs working on Maryland Accreditation.
- It includes both Virtual and Onsite Technical Assistance.
- Additional Virtual and Onsite Technical Assistance is offered to programs that are awarded a Decision 2.
Validation Visit
The Validation Visit is the final step in the Maryland Accreditation process before decisions are awarded.