DASS Accreditation
Introduction and Purpose:
Dubai American Scientific School in Dubai, a for-profit, proprietary institution is currently
directed by Mr. Tim McCarthy who assumed his role as the school Principal at the start of the
current academic year. The last monitoring visit to the school had recommended the school for
Accredited Warned status based on the findings of the Quality Assurance Review (QAR) team
and the fact that the school did not meet several accreditation standards. A follow up visit was
scheduled to take place in October of 2010; however, the former school principal failed to meet
and pick up the team. After meeting with the new principal, Mr. McCarthy, in a training session a
new visit was scheduled on May 18th 2011.
The purpose of the visit was to evaluate the school’s current status and determine whether or
not a change in the school’s status was in order. I spent a full day visiting the school. During that
time, I had a meeting with Mr. McCarthy who informed me of the latest changes in leadership
and programs in DASS. Mosaica took over the administration of the school. In September
2010, DASS entered into a unique partnership with Mosaica Education LLC, an Education
group who manages 34 schools in the United States and Abu Dhabi. It should be noted that
Mosaica is an accredited corporation with AdvancED and the organization is looking forward to
opening schools in India, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and China.
The first strategic decision taken by Mosaica was to discontinue the Special Section and to
include them in the main body of the school which was the primary concern of the previous
monitoring team. There was also a change of senior management and a new, qualified
management team is now in place.
After meeting with the school administration, I reviewed past reports, curriculum documents,
and other related materials. There was also a presentation prepared by the school describing
where they were, where they are currently and their future plans in relation to each of the
standards and school improvement. I toured the facility and visited classes in the company of
Mr. McCarthy
It appears that under the leadership of Mr. McCarthy and the new program and plan set by
Mosaica for development and growth, the school is showing signs of improvement.
By various accounts, this year was a difficult one for the school as parents were concerned and
the loss of several staff members, either through resignation or termination, resulted in slow
progress in different areas. However, the newly added administrators and staff have made a
significant effect on schools efforts towards improvement.
Part I: Adherence to AdvancED Quality Standards
Standard Not
Evident
Emerging Operational Highly
Functional
Standard 1: Vision and Purpose X
Standard 2: Governance and Leadership X
Standard 3: Teaching and Learning X
Standard 4: Documenting and using results X
Standard 5: Resources and Support Systems X
Standard 6: Stakeholder communications and
Relationships
X
Standard 7: Commitment to Continuous
Improvement
X
Part II: Findings
In reviewing documents, touring the facility and interviewing teachers and administrators, I
found that the school has completely abolished the Special Section and integrated students
within the main classes. Although teachers and administrators have expressed concerns in the
different abilities of these students to those in the main campus, they were also confident that
they can gradually integrate them within the main campus classes through differentiated
instruction and working on multiple intelligence classes.
After partnering with Mosaica, the school has an operational budget that is shared and
discussed with the principal.
The school now has an assessment system. The MAP test is given to all students on entry to
the school to provide a baseline. PIRLS and TIMMS tests have been administered to Grades 4
and 8. The school is planning on administering cognitive abilities tests to Grades 6 to 11. I was
invited to attend STEM class for grades 11 and 12. Such classes are a great addition to DASS
curriculum and the right first step toward an integrated cross curricula instruction. Reviewing
documents reveal that the school is still in the early stages of developing a school wide
improvement plan.
Touring the facility revealed that the school’s IT labs are adequate and conducive to the learning
process. However, visiting the library showed that the inventory of books is below the accepted
average and needs immediate intervention.
The school is preparing to host their QAR in the spring of 2012 and has attended SA training
conducted by Dr. Leveillee and Mr. El Taweel. The school has commenced on recruiting staff
members for the different standards committees.
Part III: Accreditation Status Recommendation
The school has shown significant improvement towards meeting AdvancED accreditation
standards. The team would like to commend the school on the major move toward offering
quality education by partnering with Mosaica. Based on the school’s improvements and the
willingness of the administration to respond to AdvancED recommendations, the team
recommends Dubai American Scientific School to be placed on Accredited on Advisement
status.
Part IV: Required Actions
• Continue to develop and implement a school improvement plan which addresses the
recommendations of previous teams and the needs of the school.
• Develop and implement a professional development plan to assist and ensure
qualified individuals for the American curriculum. The goals of this plan should be
based on teacher evaluations and teacher surveys.
• Continue to develop and implement a staff development program designed to assist
all faculty members to become appropriately qualified based on staff evaluations and
surveys.
• The school administration uses and analyzes results from standardized academic
achievement testing program to measure student learning levels and progress, as
well as to drive instruction and decision making processes.
• Develop and implement plans to acquire adequate library books, to provide guidance
services, and to purchase computer technology for students learning activities and
for teachers to support student research with best teaching practices.
• Develop and implement a teacher evaluation program
Submitted by:
Sherif El Taweel, M.Ed.
AdvancED National Director, Egypt