NATCHEZ &8212; The merger of several national school accreditation agencies means Natchez children might have a louder voice, Superintendent Anthony Morris said.

The accrediting unit the Natchez-Adams School District uses, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, is joining with the north central version and the National Study of School Evaluation to form one body.

The merger makes the group the world&8217;s largest education community, representing over 23,000 public and private schools in 30 states.

&8220;It&8217;s going to provide more options to us to be sure we are doing the latest and best things,&8221; Morris said.

Because the Natchez schools are accredited under SACS, they will now be able to claim accreditation under all three units.

&8220;One of the strongest things that will happen is being able to give political power to address issues affecting education,&8221; Morris said.

Morris attends accreditation meetings and the Natchez schools are able to contribute ideas and questions to the organization.

&8220;It makes sense for us, having to educate children for a global economy, to be with an organization on a national level.&8221;

The district is in the process of applying for accreditation for next year.

The association accredits based on review of the district&8217;s mission and goals to improve student performance, efforts to improve teaching and plans to spend tax dollars.