Setting the standards for excellence in Texas education
STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITING SCHOOLS
A. Any private school is eligible to seek accreditation by TAAPS. The
combination of grades offered must be contiguous and reasonable for the philosophy of the school involving pre-kindergarten and above. A minimum of three (3) grades, kindergarten and above are required to be in place before application will be considered. None of the contiguous grades shall be a combined grade.
B. The entire school, consisting of all grades currently offered, must be
evaluated for accreditation initially. The school must have been operating successfully for a minimum of two (2) school years prior to the on-site visit. The administration must have been in the process of establishing and operating the administrative part of the school for one year. This would actually be three (3) years of operation.
C. It is NOT the intent of TAAPS to accredit home schools, vocational or
franchised schools.
D. Variances may be considered due to the philosophy and purpose of the
school.
E. Early childhood may be included in the accreditation of a school. This
program may include three and four year old Pre-Ks. The three year old
children must be three (3) prior to September 1st .
1. This program must have a qualified teacher. The early childhood program shall have a curriculum that will meet the
educational standards of TAAPS.
2. Early childhood programs are a half-day program (usually 3-4 hours per day). This is not to be confused with daycare.
II. Philosophy of the School
A. The school shall publish a statement of philosophy and objectives from
which the admissions criteria and student evaluation criteria is derived.
B. The statement of philosophy and objectives are in writing and
distributed to any interested party.
C. The advertising of the school reflects the philosophy and objectives of
the total program of the school.
D. The admissions criteria and procedures are based on the philosophy
and objectives as published.
E. The curriculum of the school has been developed using philosophy and
objectives as a guide.
F. The evaluation of student progress is predicted by the philosophy and
objectives.
III. Goals and Objectives
A. It shall be written and approved by the faculty, Board of Directors and
the Administration of the school.
B. They should be in accordance with the philosophy of the school.
C. The faculty shall indicate how the goals of the school are implemented
in their teaching.
D. These shall include student’s:
1. Intellectual development
2. Social and emotional development
3. Cultural development
4. Ethical development
5. Physical development (to include health and safety)
6. Career development
7. Civic development
IV. Organization and Governance
A. The governing body of a school shall adopt and publish statements
maintaining high quality in academic, physical and educational
programs.
B. The school shall be an incorporated educational institution or an integral
part of a sponsoring organization.
C. If the school is a separate corporation, its governing body is elected
according to the school’s constitution and the actions of the governing
board are legally binding on the school.
D. If the school is an integral part of the legal entity of the organization,
rather than a separate corporation, its governing committee is an official
committee of the organization, elected according to that organization’s
policy.
E. The relationship between the organization and school is harmonious.
1. The organization may support the school financially, or the
organization may receive funds from the school for joint use of
facilities and services provided.
2. In dual use of facilities, the school staff and volunteer or professional
staff of organization are cooperative.
F. The names of the members of the governing body of record, the positions
they hold, which includes any fiscal interest, are available to any
interested party.
G. The governing body has formulated, codifies and has in writing a set of
policies that establish the rules for the operation of the school.
H. The school’s written policies address:
1. School’s calendar (minimum of 175 days)
2. Hours of the school day
3. Student admission and acceptance
4. Student rights regarding curriculum, discipline and dismissal
5. Written discipline policy
6. Tuition and payment policy
7. Teachers rights, evaluation, contract renewal and dismissal
I. The policies clearly reflect that the school is controlled by contract law and includes appropriate policy statements in contracts for attendance of students and employment of staff.
J. The policies of the governing board describe the relationship between the board and the head administrator.
K. A school failing to abide by the school’s adopted policies will place its accredited status in jeopardy.
L. Schools are mandated to carry adequate liability insurance, workman’s compensation, vehicle and property insurance.
V. Administration
A. The school shall be guided through its practices and program by sufficient administrative and service personnel to assure adequate management and operation.
B. The head administrator of the school shall be authorized under policies adopted by the governing body to manage and operate all programs of the school including, but not limited to financial, academic, moral, physical, extracurricular activities, discipline, admissions, facilities, and personnel.
C. All schools should have an Emergency Crisis Plan and a regular schedule for safety and emergency drills.
D. All school administrators must have an appropriate degree, and/or a degree in another field with experience that would qualify them to do their assigned jobs affectively.
E. The head of school and/or principal shall have a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree with appropriate preparation and experience for the position.
F. There should be an assistant administrator for schools whose total enrollment is over 250 students with grades that include middle school and above.
G. Other personnel, such as counselors, business managers, and records clerks, must have degrees and/or training or experience appropriate to the assignments.
H. There is to be a full-time librarian for a school whose total enrollment in grades 1st – 12th is 500 or more and a part-time librarian for schools containing between 250-500 students. For small schools, library services may be available in the community. The ratio of in-school library books should be 15 catalogued books per student. Recorded evidence of library usage must be maintained.
I. There is adequate support service to efficiently manage the business
affairs of the school.
J. There is adequate support service to provide for the efficient maintenance of permanent records and files.
K. The school shall provide evidence that it meets all mandatory provisions for health records and assures the heath and safety of the students.
VI. Faculty
A. The faculty and staff of the school shall support the philosophy and objectives of the instructional program. These individuals are prepared to fulfill their assignments as determined by preparation and evaluation against performance.
B. The governing body shall adopt a job description for each position on the staff that includes the preparation required of the individuals who may be employed in that position.
C. All teachers are qualified with appropriate degrees and/or preparation in their assignments.
D. Teachers should have a Baccalaureate degree with appropriate preparation in the area of the assignment.
E. Pre-K teachers do not have to have a degree, but should have appropriate training and/or experience.
F. Pre-K and kindergarten teachers may be qualified if they have a Baccalaureate degree and/or appropriate early childhood training. Seminary or Montessori trained teachers may be qualified to teach Pre-K.
G. A full-time librarian shall have at least 24 semester hours in library science and the part-time librarian shall have at least 18 semester hours in library science.
H. In times of emergency, the minimum preparation permitted for a position may be temporarily waived with the full knowledge of the parents of those students under the direction of the faculty member. The nature of the emergency situation must be clearly stated and a plan developed to remedy the situation as expeditiously as possible.
I. There are enough support employees to serve the school’s operation adequately and there are sufficient teachers that classes do not become unreasonably large.
J. No abrupt terminations of grade offerings should occur. One consideration would be the lost revenue. The welfare of students should be recognized with a re-organization or phase out part of the school.
K. All teachers shall give evidence of having a commitment consistent with the philosophy of the school.
L. The school conducts an annual performance appraisal for individual members of the faculty.
M. Professional staff members are employed by contract and are required to obtain sixteen (16) documented training clock hours per year.
N. The staff should not have excessive absences nor have an excessive pattern of parental complaints.
O. The school should strive to assure a continuity of faculty without an excessive and consistent turn-over of staff.
P. Records for faculty members are to be kept permanently and in a confidential area.
Q. Qualified applicants are employed without regard to race, creed, ethnic background, or national origin.
R. All employees of the school must agree to a “background check” prior to hiring. (This should include all part-time, regular volunteers, lay personnel, such as coaches, etc.)
S. A background check also applies to all volunteer drivers of vehicles. All drivers of school owned or leased vehicles that transport students or employees of the school must have a CDL license and submit to a background check. All drivers’ license of parents and/or volunteers must be kept on file in the office. All private cars must have current inspections and proper insurance.
T. The school may not have more than two (2) grades per teacher except for Montessori schools. The number of students for this room should be no more than 18.
U. There should be adequate communication between the administration and the faculty.
VII. Facilities
A. The school plant, facilities, equipment, and materials shall be free from health and safety hazards and be conducive to carrying out the philosophy and objectives of the school.
B. The school shall have inspection records to demonstrate that applicable health, fire, and safety standards are met.
C. All vehicles owned by the school shall have regular inspections, safety equipment, (such as first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and proper insurance) in each vehicle. The insurance should be sufficient to cover the vehicle and persons transported in the vehicle. The driver of any vehicle transporting students must have a CDL license, background check, insurance.
D. All statutory building codes are met or exceeded.
E. There is adequate and appropriate office space for the administrator and staff.
F. There should be adequate space to secure confidential student and staff records.
G. Student records must be kept for five (5 years) and graduating seniors records must be kept permanently.
H. Staff records should be kept on file for five (5) years.
I. There shall also be adequate teacher work-space and equipment necessary to communicate with parents, to serve instructional needs and keep records.
J. Classroom should be adequate for a specific number of students, --
20 sq. ft. per student.
K. Restrooms are adequate and appropriate for the ages of the students.
(Restrooms--1 per 20 students and water fountains--1 per 30 students.)
L. Playground space, athletic fields, and gymnasium facilities are provided as specified by the objectives of the school.
M. Gymnasium dressing rooms, showers, and storage spaces should be adequate for the students served.
N. Athletic programs should pay specific attention to safety precautions for the students, equipment, and facilities.
O. Adequate safety precautions are to be observed. Particular care is exercised in peak traffic periods before and after school.
P. All spaces occupied by students and staff are to be adequately cooled, heated and lighted.
Q. The maintenance of the facility should be a priority of the school.
VIII. Finances
A. The financial program of the school shall assure the continuity of the program.
B. An adequate annual budget is proposed by the administration and adopted by the governing body.
C. An annual report is submitted each year with a budget proposed by the administration and adopted by the board.
D. Income from tuition, fees, gifts, endowments, and fund raising activities must be adequate to support a high quality educational program.
E. Salaries should be at sufficient levels to attract and hold competent administrators, teachers, and staff members.
F. There shall be adequate supplies, textbooks, furniture and equipment available for the operation of a good educational program.
G. There should be enough support staff to serve the school’s operation adequately and sufficient teachers to maintain a reasonable class size.
H. Funds are to be available for staff development, including travel expense funds for administrators and teachers.
I. Included in the budget should be monies allowed for the maintenance of the facility.
IX. Students
Students represent the embodiment of the school’s philosophy and objectives and are admitted and served with the following standards clearly in evidence.
A. The school admits qualified students without regard to race, color, ethnic background or national origin.
B. Students are screened and admitted only when the school’s program can be predicted to serve the needs of each.
C. Students are evaluated continuously and are provided annual progress reports designating promotion or retention.
D. Students’ records, (application, health, major transcripts, etc.) shall be kept on file in a secure and confidential place for a minimum of five (5) years. The files of high school graduates shall be kept permanently.
E. The school publishes a document that describes the curriculum, its organization, how students are classified, the grading system, disciplinary rules and techniques, promotion and retention policies and graduation requirements.
F. The school shall have a mandatory attendance rule for students. Enforcement may be flexible but shall assure academic achievement of the students.
G. If an accredited school plans to expand into other divisions, the school will go through a new accreditation process covering the new division and will be visited at least two times within the next four years.
(Ex. Adding a high school)
X. Academic Program
A. The school’s curriculum encompasses Texas Education Agency’s TEKS.
B. The school year shall be a minimum of 175 days of instruction.
C. The school shall provide a minimum of six hours of instruction per day.
D. Teacher planning and preparation time should be designed to fit the needs of the school and class size.
E. Curricular and extracurricular activities are designed and balanced to provide for all students’ academic, physical, social and moral development.
F. The school’s policies provide for transferring students to be placed according to their records and ability to perform.
G. The school promotes good citizenship and promotes patriotism.
XI. Communication and Self-Monitoring
A. A school, as a component of accountability, shall practice
self-enforcement in reporting of infractions of the principles and standards of TAAPS.
B. The school has a system of communicating with the governing board and parents to keep them informed of all variances with policies, principles and standards.
C. The school has a system of communication with the parents and teachers to inform them of any expected changes in the contracts for enrollment, tuition or employment.