Minimum Standards for FAANS Accrediting Associations |
|
 FAANS Accrediting Members must have a set of standards and and evaluative criteria which are used to evaluate schools and determine status of accreditation. The standards and evaluative criteria must address each of the areas listed below.
Philosophy and Objectives: Each accredited school shall be required to have a concise, clearly written statement of its philosophy and objectives in order to guide the academic program and the overall development of its students.
Curriculum: Each school shall have a curriculum consistent with its philosophy and objectives. This shall be designed to fill effectively the needs of the students enrolled. Offerings shall be organized sequentially and described in current written curriculum guides and courses of study by subject and grade level.
School Plant and Facilities: The plant and equipment shall be suited to the purpose and adequate for the total program of each school. Evidence of conformity to local codes for school building and health, safety and sanitation must be present.
Faculty and Administrative Staff: The school professional staff must meet criteria established by the accrediting body which are suitable to the program and mission of the school. The criteria must address the requirements of degrees and/or certification.
School Calendar and Class Hours: The school year shall have a minimum of 180 actual school days OR a minimum of 170 actual school days and the hourly equivalent of 180 actual school days determined as prescribed below:
A. Kindergarten: 540 net instructional hours
B. Grades 1-3 720 net instructional hours
C. Grades 4-12 900 net instructional hours
Transfer of Student Records/Data: Standards shall insure the maintenance and safekeeping of accurate student records and the provision of a transcript indicating work covered by students. Defunct schools shall transfer all permanent information contained in student records to the Superintendent of Schools of the public district in which the nonpublic school was located; or if the school is a member of a nonpublic school system or association, such school May transfer such records to the central office of such system or association.
Financial Recores/Accounting: The financial resources and management of the school shall be such as to sustain an educational program consistent with its philosophy and objectives. Evidence of financial stability in the form of a Financial Statement shall be prepared annually and be available for review by the Accrediting Association during evaluations.
Library/Media Center: The library/media center should provide current, adequate reference print and non print materials for the needs of the students, with a minimum of ten (10) books per pupil.
Health and Safety: All schools shall meet all applicable local and state laws relating to fire protections, safety, sanitation, and health. Evidence of evacuation drills and emergency procedures must also be required. The school buildings shall comply with local and state zoning, structural, and fire codes.
Non Discriminatory Policies: All schools must issue statements of non discrimination, stating that they do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, or ethnic origin.
State Laws and Regulations: Accreditation standards must require each school to comply with all applicable state laws and regulations.
Accreditation Procedures: The procedure established by an accrediting member for a school to achieve accredited status must include the following or its equivalent:
- Self-Study: The school’s self-study process prior to a Visiting Committee.
- Visiting Committee: A committee of educators visits the school and develops a report based on the self-study and the standards of the Accrediting Association.
- Accreditation Status: On the basis of the Visiting Committee Report, the school is granted
(or not granted) accredited status for a given period.
- Periodic Reports: An ongoing program of improvement, to include renewal of accredited status, is conducted by accredited schools. These improvements may be documented by reports, on-site visits or periodic reviews.
|
