WHAT ARE OTHER STANDARD FEATURES?

COA standards contain many other helpful features to guide your program in its implementation of the standards.

Introduction/Definition

The After School Administration and After School Human Resources standards sections each begin with an Introduction. The Introduction provides you with background information and highlights about standards within that section (see example 1). The After School Programming and Services standards section begins with a Definition that describes the types of programs that can be accredited using the section (see example 2).

Interpretations

Interpretations may follow a standard. An interpretation elaborates on the meaning of a standard and may offer useful examples (see example 3). When Interpretations include examples of ways programs can demonstrate implementation of a standard, an individual program is not expected to demonstrate that all of those specific examples will be found at the program. In contrast, the examples are illustrations of ways to demonstrate that a standard is being met. Programs may also be meeting the standard in other ways not included in the list of potential examples.

Notes

Notes give guidance on how to implement a standard based on the unique characteristics of your program (see example 4).

Research Notes

Research Notes offer you important information, gathered through reviews of literature and research. A reference list is included as an attachment to each standards section so that your program can identify the resources that informed the development of the Research Note (see example 5).

Reference Lists

For your information, resources that contributed to the development of the standards are included within Reference Lists that are provided for each standards section (see example 6).

Related Standards

Related Standards highlight connections between associated standards, and underscore the relationship between Administration, Human Resources, and Programming and Services (see example 7).

Updates

Updates identify changes or adjustments to a whole standard or part of a standard, including interpretations and notes. Standards that include Last updated 9/1/2008 have been dynamically updated to include these changes so you can view them readily. Updates occur when a practice evolves or changes based on new information, research, or input from the field.