JROTC Earns Reaccreditation With Distinction

New Bedford High School JROTC Earns Reaccreditation “With Distinction”
Posted on 05/27/2021
New Bedford High School JROTC Earns Reaccreditation “With Distinction”

New Bedford High School JROTC Earns Reaccreditation “With Distinction”

The New Bedford High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) has earned reaccreditation, receiving the highest program accreditation – Gold Star Honor Unit with Distinction.

As an accredited Special Purpose Program, New Bedford High School JROTC must adhere to United States Army Junior ROTC Standards of Quality. AdvanceED, a national accrediting agency administers comprehensive evaluations every three years, providing a holistic review of cadet and instructor performance with emphasis on documenting continuous improvement.

Col. Stephen J. Bethoney (Ret.), the Senior Army Instructor for the JROTC at NBHS noted, “The cadets worked very hard under difficult circumstances. Coordination was done almost exclusively on Teams. Most held private group meetings after school hours to organize and hold practice presentations. Others met continually with the instructor staff to review their roles. Our entire battalion did an exceptional job to earn this highest program accreditation.”

In congratulating the student-cadets, Headmaster Bernadette Coelho stated, “We are extremely proud of our JROTC for this well-earned Gold Star Honor. Their rank among the best units in the country is a reflection of our overall commitment to excellence in all that New Bedford High School students and staff do – just as the JROTC Mission says: ‘to help motivate young people to better themselves and prepare for life.’”

Evaluators from the 2nd Brigade, United States Army Cadet Command, included the Area Coordinator, Curriculum Team and the Logistics and Training Team. Assessment benchmarks included the JROTC Unit Management System, the database for all training, events and community service activities. Color Guard, Drill, Ceremony and Uniform Inspections of student performance were conducted.

Students prepared 20-minute presentations as part of the overall evaluations. These included reports on the annual Continuing Improvement Project supported by data, and Service-Learning projects demonstrating the application of a curriculum component and service to the community. In-depth interviews were also conducted of the student leadership, which represents the Battalion Command.

Conducted virtually, one-on-one student-cadet portfolio reviews included examination of curriculum and satisfactory evidence of effective formative and summative assessments.

Instructors’ portfolios are judged on five criteria: 1). Evidence of differentiated classroom instruction; 2). Satisfactory evidence summative and formative assessments completed; 3). Resident and distance learning requirements met; 4). School/district performance evaluations; and 5). District mandated training.

The NBHS faculty for JROTC includes SAI (R) Col. Stephen J. Bethoney, MSG (R) Raymond J. Como and SFC (R) Gerald E. Bedard.

Established in1881, the Army JROTC program at New Bedford High School is the longest continuously running program in the history of JROTC.

JROTC
Photo Caption:
New Bedford High School JROTC cadets march in the city’s Memorial Day Parade in 2019. They recently earned reaccreditation, receiving the highest program accreditation – Gold Star Honor Unit with Distinction. Established in1881, the JROTC program at NBHS is the longest continuously running program in the history of JROTC.