Relationship with US Department of Education

All of the K-12 school commissions including the NAAS are only acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOEd) as one of the six regional accreditation agencies for K-12 Education. The K-12 commissions are not “formally” recognized, as recognition by the USDOEd is strictly for postsecondary institutions seeking access to federal funds for financial assistance programs for U.S. citizens.

The U.S. Department of Education has established two places on its web site where the acknowledgement of K-12 Accreditation Agencies is clarified. Information and a list of accreditation agencies including NAAS can be found on the USDOEd web site:http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-accred-recog_associations.html

An alternate page provides additional information about USDOEd authority. It clarifies the role of the USDOEd as recognizing accreditation bodies for the accreditation of postsecondary schools with no authority over K-12 accreditation. 
http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pp3.html