Charleston County School District earns reaccreditation from Cognia

Charleston County School District earns reaccreditation from Cognia

Charleston County School District (CCSD) learned Monday afternoon the district has earned its first-ever five-year system-wide reaccreditation from Cognia. Cognia, previously known as AdvancED, is a world-wide education accrediting agency.

Positive Evaluation

President and CEO of Cognia, Mark Elgart presented his agency’s findings to the board, with a set of priorities for the district’s initial five-year accreditation period. Elgart and his team of reviewers spent three days examining the district, culminating in a report detailing strengths, weaknesses, and the district’s final accreditation status, according to CCSD.

Message from Cognia

“The district is moving in the right direction. That’s the major message. But it must maintain that effort,” Dr. Elgart said. “Accreditation and achieving it is one aspect of it. Maintaining, and drawing and improving throughout it is even a harder hurdle to cross. But I am proud to announce that the recommendation to our international commission to be voted on in the next few weeks will be that Charleston County School District should receive initial accreditation.”

Challenges and Encouragement

The district stated that Cognia’s review team shared that the district’s strategic plan was a sound blueprint for a clear vision of success in the future, if progress can be made. “District leaders and their community must change their commitment, remain focused on every learner, and have the courage and conviction to persevere regardless of the roadblocks or hurdles that must be overcome,” urged Dr. Elgart. “Making and ensuring students are the heart of your work is a future worth pursuing and a journey worth taking.”