‘Shortcomings’ reason for NBHS probation

It’s now official that New Britain High School’s accreditation is on probation, and it will remain that way until one of two things happens – the school remedies its "shortcomings" and the probation is lifted; or the school fails to make "reasonable progress" and the school loses its accreditation.

While many of the school’s shortcomings have to do with financing, some don’t, according to Charles McCarthy, an associate director of the agency that handles accreditation, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). McCarthy stressed that anyone with questions about the shortcomings should get a copy of the report issued by NEASC after NEASC’s intensive four-day visit in the fall. The school is required to make that report available to the public.

Although it wasn’t announced to the public, school administrators were notified earlier this year that the unless the city could prove the probation was undeserved deserved, NBHS’s accreditation would be dropped down to a probationary status. School officials did not argue with the report’s findings, and on June 24, NEASC voted to make the probation full and official. Only 3 to 4 percent of schools in New England are on probation.

School and city officials were unavailable for comment at posting time.