Become a Volunteer
As part of the Cognia Accreditation Process, schools and systems participate in an Engagement Review, staffed by a team of specially trained education professionals. Join a team to contribute your perspective and learn from other dedicated professionals.
Enrich your learning. Serve on a team.
Outside perspectives help leaders understand where their schools excel, and where to focus to better meet students’ needs. As part of the Cognia Accreditation and Certification Processes, schools and systems participate in an Engagement Review staffed by a team of specially trained education professionals. We depend on the perspectives of peer observers—like you—to provide evaluations that are accurate, fair, and thoughtful.
We’ve heard from long-standing volunteers that serving on a review team is one of their most valuable professional learning experiences. Plus, volunteers can earn CEUs and free university credits.
You can share this rich professional learning by becoming a member of a Cognia review team. Based on the type of institution and the goal of the review, details of participation vary.
Accreditation Engagement Reviews
Institution type |
Duration |
Review activities |
Required training |
| Schools and Systems, United States and Global (more than 85 countries) | 3–5 days | Examine evidence, interview stakeholders, observe classrooms, engage in team deliberations, rate Performance Standards | Team Member training. eleot® training |
| Digital Learning | 4–5 days | Examine evidence, interview stakeholders, observe classrooms, engage in team deliberations, rate Performance Standards | Digital Team Member training, Digital Observation Tool training |
| Early Learning Schools | 3 days | Examine evidence, interview stakeholders, observe classrooms, engage in team deliberations, rate Performance Standards | Early Learning Team Member training, erel™ training |
Certification Engagement Reviews
| STEM Certification | 3 days | Examine evidence, interview stakeholders, observe classrooms, engage in team deliberations, rate STEM Standards | STEM Team Member training, eleot training |
Are you passionate about education?
Watch this short video to learn about the benefits of becoming a volunteer!
Curious about the Engagement Review process?
Learn more about the team member experience.
What's it like to be a Team Member?
Learn more about the benefits of serving on an Engagement Review team. Current and past team members share the value of their experiences.
What's it like to be a Lead Evaluator?
Current and past Lead Evaluators share the benefits and highlight the learning that come from this leadership opportunity.
Apply now
Thank you for your interest in serving as a Cognia volunteer! Cognia’s Accreditation and STEM Certification processes engage schools and school systems in an external review by a team of volunteers known as the Engagement Review Team. Team members spend time on site with educators, administrators, students, and parents. These education professionals visit classrooms, review performance data, and look over improvement plans—to drive action and make a difference in the lives of learners.
If you’d like to make a difference, please complete and submit the Volunteer Interest Form below. We’ll contact you to take the next step—completing a Volunteer Profile—which will allow us to identify volunteer opportunities that align with your experience, expertise, interest, and availability.