NEASC outlines athletic program review; committee seeks middle‑school inclusion and cost estimate

George Edwards, chief accreditation officer at the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, presented a voluntary athletic program review process to Brockton’s Athletics, Arts, Music and Extracurricular Activities Subcommittee on April 14.

Edwards said the review begins with electronic surveys of parents, students and staff, followed by a district self‑study against six standards (guiding principles; program organization; equitable resources; administration; player and program evaluation; and safety, well‑being and inclusion). A two‑day visiting team produces a report with observations and recommendations; the school files a two‑year progress report and certificates are renewed on a five‑year cycle. He emphasized the process is not accreditation but a program review, and listed endorsements from Massachusetts groups including the MIAA and the National Federation of High Schools.

Committee members focused questioning on whether the review could include middle‑school athletics and local field safety. Edwards said the standards apply at elementary, middle and high‑school levels and the district may elect to include middle schools. Members raised concerns about field safety, facility adequacy and equity between boys’ and girls’ sports; Edwards confirmed equity across genders is an explicit part of the review.

Cost and scope: Edwards said the review is a one‑time fee plus visiting‑team expenses. The committee was told Principal McKascal has placed funds in the 2026–27 budget to cover the one‑time cost. Members asked staff to provide the exact cost and timeline so the committee can decide whether to include middle‑school facilities and scheduling in the review.

Next steps: the subcommittee requested a formal cost estimate and a scope recommendation that includes middle‑school athletics and field inspections to assess safety and the need for infrastructure investments.