Board Governance Certification
Help school boards overcome challenges and advance institutions’ continuous improvement.
Enhance school board effectiveness
Throughout our history, Cognia has worked with school boards to ensure that they understand how best to support their schools and systems. Leveraging this expertise, we have developed a first-of-its-kind board governance certification to recognize school boards, giving them the opportunity to proactively commit to continuous improvement alongside the schools they serve.
Our research-based standards for effective school board governance empower school boards to:
- Collaborate effectively as a school board and with school and system leaders
- Have a clear vision for the institution
- Establish and sustain a culture of ongoing improvement
- Center student learning and data in decision-making
- Communicate and partner with their community
Start your board governance certification journey
Cognia Board Governance Certification is available to school boards of accredited institutions.
Board governance certification is not a grade—it is a recognition of a school board’s operational effectiveness and commitment to ensuring high-quality education. Cognia experts will provide resources and guidance to support your school board’s ongoing improvement efforts to meet Cognia Board Governance Certification standards. These standards focus on the school board’s role in their institution’s culture, leadership, community engagement, and student success.
Three-phase process
1. Reflection and Analysis
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Cognia Accreditation and Cognia Board Governance Certification?
The Cognia Accreditation process evaluates an institution’s overall ability to meet the needs of learners. Cognia Board Governance Certification evaluates whether and how a school board has fulfilled its role in overseeing and guiding an institution’s effective operation and continuous improvement.
Can my institution earn Cognia Accreditation and Cognia Board Governance Certification at the same time?
Cognia Accreditation is a prerequisite for Cognia Board Governance Certification. New members seeking certification will earn it alongside accreditation and will undergo a simultaneous review. The institution will be due for reaccreditation and recertification at least every six years.
Institutions already accredited by Cognia may seek initial Board Governance certification outside of the accreditation term by hosting an “off cycle” certification review. Once initially certified, the Board Governance certification and accreditation terms will align.
Can my institution receive Cognia Board Governance Certification if we are accredited by another provider?
If your institution is accredited by another U.S. regional accreditor, you may request a transfer of your current accreditation to Cognia and then seek Board Governance certification. As part of the Cognia global network, you’ll receive unsurpassed resources, including observation tools, surveys, and access to our online professional learning platform.