Ensuring Quality and Trust in Schools and Academic Programs
DCCAP is a structured certification framework developed with the Ministry of Education in Jordan to evaluate and support American programs and private schools through clear standards, rubrics, and evidence-based reviews.
Designed and operated by Skylark for Educational Services, DCCAP aligns local priorities with international benchmarks so schools can show parents, students, universities, and regulators that learning and leadership meet world-class expectations.
One digital window into your school quality
Connects leadership, teachers, students, and parents in a single, organized view of performance across all DCCAP standards.
A Ministry-Endorsed Model for Quality Assurance and Certification
The Distinguished Compliance & Certification for Academic and American Programs (DCCAP) provides a clear, transparent structure for schools to evaluate their performance and receive recognized certification based on evidence, not just documents.
Official Alignment
Developed with the Ministry of Education in Jordan so American programs and private schools can meet national expectations and licensing requirements while keeping their own identity.
International Perspective
Connects local priorities with international practices, giving families and universities confidence that school performance is measured against global expectations.
Learner-Focused
Emphasizes student engagement, well-being, and measurable learning outcomes rather than just compliance paperwork or one-time visits.
Continuous Improvement
Each DCCAP cycle produces a practical roadmap that feeds directly into school improvement plans, staff development, and strategic decisions.
Who is DCCAP for?
- American international schools and programs.
- Local private schools seeking recognized certification.
- School leaders, coordinators, and governing boards.
- Teachers who want a clear picture of quality standards.
- Parents and students who value transparent, trusted quality.
Five Dimensions of School Quality
DCCAP evaluates schools across five interconnected standards. Each standard uses clear descriptors and evidence so schools understand what “emerging”, “effective”, and “distinguished” look like.
Philosophy & Direction
Clarity and coherence of mission, vision, and values, and how they guide decisions, communication, and the learning culture in the school or program.
Teaching & Learning
Curriculum design, classroom practice, assessment strategies, and how well instruction supports different learners and prepares them for higher education.
Professional Staff
Recruitment, qualifications, professional learning, appraisal systems, and how staff collaborate to improve learning and student support services.
Stakeholder Engagement
Partnerships with parents, students, and the wider community, including communication, feedback, and involvement in school decisions and planning.
Strategic Leadership & Planning
Governance, leadership structures, data use, and long-term planning to ensure sustainability, responsible resource management, and continuous improvement.
Evidence & Rubrics
All standards are judged through rubrics, observations, interviews, surveys, and document reviews, resulting in a balanced, evidence-based certification decision.
Aligned with ISO 21001:2025 and Certified by ICA
DCCAP is fully aligned with ISO 21001:2025, the international standard for Educational Organizations Management Systems (EOMS). It emphasizes learner-focused decisions, inclusion, transparency, and long-term success.
- ISO-based structure for policies, procedures, and continuous improvement cycles.
- Focus on learners and other beneficiaries, not just processes and paperwork.
- Emphasis on accessibility, inclusion, and effective communication with stakeholders.
Certification is issued through the International Certification Authority (ICA), providing independent validation and international recognition of each school’s performance and commitment to quality.
Why this matters to your school
How the DCCAP Evaluation Works
The DCCAP process brings together rubrics, evidence, and stakeholder voices to provide a complete and fair picture of each school or program.
Rubric-Based Review
Clear levels (2–4) describe what practice looks like, allowing schools and evaluators to focus on verified evidence instead of guesswork or opinion.
On-Site Observations
Classroom visits and school walk-throughs show how policies and plans are implemented in daily teaching, learning, and student support.
Document & Policy Review
Strategic plans, curricula, assessment data, and improvement plans are reviewed for alignment, coherence, and impact on students and staff.
Stakeholder Surveys
Surveys for students, staff, and parents provide a voice for the community and support the findings from on-site visits and interviews.
Interviews & Panels
Leadership and staff discussions help evaluators understand context, priorities, and how decisions are made and communicated across the school.
Final Report & Roadmap
Each school receives a clear report highlighting strengths, growth areas, and a practical roadmap for the next cycle of development and certification.