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Tuscaloosa board set for Cognia board‑certification review in April
Summary
A Cognia official briefed the Tuscaloosa City Schools board on a planned April 12–14 external board‑certification review that will use a 10‑standard rubric and include document review, stakeholder interviews and an observed board meeting.
Tuscaloosa City Schools on Feb. 17 heard from Dr. Andre Harrison, Cognia’s senior vice president for accreditation services, about an upcoming board‑certification review scheduled for April 12–14.
Harrison told the board the certification process evaluates 10 standards across four characteristics — culture, leadership, engagement and growth — and rates each standard on a one‑to‑four rubric, with four meaning the district exceeds expectations. "We are your trusted partner," Harrison said, adding the review is designed to "impact and inspire education providers" and to help governing boards focus on strategic direction and transparency.
The four‑part process begins with a district self‑assessment tied to descriptive rubrics, followed by an external evidence review, stakeholder interviews and an observation of a board meeting. Harrison said the Cognia team will produce a report with findings and next steps after the review and will act as the lead evaluator during the on‑site portion of the assessment.
Board members and administrators were told the district has already received a self‑assessment workbook to guide internal work and gather evidence for the certification portfolio. The board observation may be recorded and multiple stakeholder interviews are planned during the onsite review.
Dr. Derry (identified in the meeting as the district lead) said the board and district leadership look forward to the process and thanked Cognia for the partnership. The board did not take any formal vote on the briefing; the presentation was informational and the external review will proceed per the timeline described.
Next steps: the district will complete an internal self‑assessment and assemble the certification portfolio ahead of the Cognia team’s on‑site review in April.
