Choice programs that are not evaluated by an outside source are evaluated through an internal quality assurance endorsement process. Successful completion of the quality assurance endorsement process can lead to a program gaining the status of an “Endorsed Choice Program”.

The quality assurance endorsement process utilizes a rubric that contains 14 indicators which are categorized by:  program design, academic success, and community connection. The rubric utilized to evaluate choice programming was created through the work of the Choice/Transfer Steering Team.   

As programs complete an initial endorsement process, the status of an “endorsed choice program” is gained.  Choice programs are high quality, student centered programs which provide Springfield Public Schools’ students with an engaging, relevant, and personal education.  Programs have differing levels of endorsement based on evaluation results.  

Endorsement levels are outlined below:

Programs that are Endorsed with Distinction will:

• Have been identified as distinguished through all indicators of the SPS Choice Program Endorsement Rubric

Programs that are Endorsed will:

• Have met the following criteria for each category within the SPS Choice Program Scoring System:
  • Program Design:
    • Proficient/distinguished in all program design indicators
  • Community Connection:
    • Proficient/distinguished in both community connection indicators
  • Academic Success:
    • Distinguished/proficient in 4 of the 6 indicators
  • Programs are allowed one emerging proficient level

Programs that are Provisionally Endorsed will be identified as Level I or Level II:

•  Provisionally Endorsed Level I programs will have met the following criteria within the SPS Choice Program Rubric:
• Program Design:
  • Distinguished/proficient in 4 of the 6 indicators
• Community Connection:
  • Distinguished/proficient in 1 of the 2 indicators
• Academic Success:
  • Distinguished/proficient in 6 of the 6 indicators
• Programs are allowed one emerging proficient level

• Provisionally Endorsed Level II programs will include any scores below a Level II.

 Programs that are considered probationary will have:

• Failed to move from Provisionally Endorsed Level II to Level I within a 12 month period, after the program’s first re-endorsement evaluation.
• During the probationary phase, programs will have one school-year to move into a Level I (or above) or a loss of choice programming support will occur.  

Quality assurance endorsement results can be found below: