Frequently Asked Questions

• What are frequently asked questions regarding acceptance of credits?
• What is the relationship of K-12 Accreditation Commissions with the U.S. Department of Education?
• How does NAAS Accreditation Work Along with NCLB to Increase Student Achievement?

What is the Organizational Structure of NAAS?
The chief elected officer of the Association is the President. Other officers of the Association who are elected by the Commission are the First Vice President and the Second Vice President, each of whom is a member of and entitled to vote on the Board of Trustees. The First Vice President is the President Elect of the Commission and the Second Vice President is the Commission’s Past President. The Board also includes each of the Accreditation Committee Chairs. A nonvoting Executive Secretary/Treasurer is appointed by the Board of Trustees. The Board serves as the governing body of the Association during the interim of the annual meetings and assumes responsibilities for the good of the organization.

What is the Mission of NAAS?
The mission of the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools is to advance excellence in education through the process of accreditation.

What is the NAAS Commission?

1. The Commission is the elected representative group of the school delegate members and is constituted as authorized in Article VI Section 2(a) of the Bylaws of the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. The Commission is the Policies and Procedures formulating body of the Association.
   Determining School Accreditation. The Commission is charged with the responsibility of effecting the purposes of the Association as they pertain to member schools. It is the specific responsibility of the Commission to propose necessary standards for the accreditation of schools and at its meetings to recommend action for the schools seeking accreditation.
2. Meetings of the Commission. In addition to the semi-annual meetings, the Commission may meet on other occasions, if necessary, on the call of a majority of the Board of Trustees. A simple majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the Commission.

What are Dues for NAAS member schools?
Effective for the 2007-2008 school year the dues structure is below:

What are NAAS Standing Committees?
The Commission has established standing committees to conduct some of its ordinary operations. Committee membership includes commissioners and at times appointed members for a state advisory board. Special (ad hoc) committees are also appointed by the Commission President when necessary to undertake unique projects or to deal with specific problems. All committees report to the Commission. The standing committees are:

1. Executive Committee
2. Finance Committee
3. Member Services Committee
4. Standards Committee
5. Strategic Planning Committee
6. Third Party and Research Committee

What is a State Advisory or Accreditation Committee?
The State Accreditation committee of each member state shall consist of four (4) elected members. One of the four may be a member of the State Department of Education or a member of the State Board of Education in that state. One of the committee members shall serve as the State Accreditation Committee Chair. State committees may also elect to have an advisor committee made up of representatives from member schools.

What is the Division of International and Transregional Schools (DITS)?
DITS Coordinates, monitors, and provides guidance to the Commission regarding alternative, transregional, and international education programs. Schools assigned to this committee from the Commission may be from any school category. Distance Education schools that provide services to students outside of its resident state are assigned to this committee. At-large representatives from distance education, supplemental education, travel study, international, postsecondary-nondegree granting, and special purpose schools also serve on this committee.

What are Member Schools?
Each dues-paying school is considered a member of the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools and is allowed one official representative on any member school ballot issue. The official representative may be the administrator of the school or district, or any other staff member so designated by the school. The school should indicate its official representative on the mail ballot.

The member schools are the decision-making authorities of the Northwest Association. The member schools are empowered to make decisions regarding dues, standards, and bylaws.

How Do I Become a Member?
Schools seeking membership in the Association shall:

1. Submit to the Northwest Association an official application containing the resolution by the governing body (school owners, Board of Trustees, Board of Education, or Board of Directors) approving the application, and accepting the standards, and Policies and Procedures of the Association. Applications may be obtained from the accreditation committee or the Commission office.
2. Submit a completed Annual Report to the accreditation committee before October 15.
3. Submit to the accreditation committee a certification that: (1) the school has completed, within the preceding three years, a self-evaluation using evaluation instruments approved by the accreditation committee and developed a school improvement plan (SIP); (2) a Visiting Team has reviewed the appraisal made in the self-evaluation. Applicants must be in substantial compliance with the standards established by the Association.
4. Provisional accreditation may be granted to applicant schools that would otherwise be approved for full membership, with the understanding that the self-evaluation will be completed within three years of the date of initial provisional accreditation. Provisional members are not entitled to vote. All provisional members must undergo a preliminary visit by at least two (2) NAAS representatives appointed by the accreditation committee.

What Are the Categories of Schools Accredited?

1. High Schools. A school in this classification, whether it is public, nonpublic, proprietary, or not for profit, is one designed or organized with grades seven (7) through twelve (12) or any combination of these grades.
2. Middle Level Schools. A school in this classification, whether it is public, nonpublic, proprietary, or not for profit is one designed or organized with any two or more consecutive grades, five (5) through nine (9) inclusive, under a single administrative unit.
3. Elementary Schools. A school in this classification, whether it is public, nonpublic, proprietary, or not for profit, is one designed or organized with grades in early childhood, kindergarten, grades one (1) through eight or any combination of these grades, except for schools identified as middle level schools.
4. K-12 Schools. A school in this classification, whether it is public, nonpublic, proprietary, or not for profit, is one that is specifically organized or designed as a single K-12 administrative unit for instructional purposes. Such schools may also include classes or grades for early childhood.
5. Special Purpose Schools. Public, nonpublic, proprietary, or not for profit, to be considered in this classification must meet the special educational needs of students under unique circumstances. Generally, such schools offer a limited array of educational services and may not be compelled to adhere to the state’s common school compulsory attendance laws or high school graduation requirements. Among schools with similar educational objectives, examples to consider in this category include the educational division of Job Corps schools, correctional centers or schools, special schools for the handicapped or gifted, residential treatment schools, boarding schools, or special interest area schools associated with the arts, music, sciences, or career/vocational-technical education.
6. Supplemental Education Schools. Public, nonpublic, supplementary education schools, proprietary, or not for profit, to be considered in this classification must provide offerings in basic skills, education and application, and other specific content areas (e.g., languages, computers, higher mathematics). Learning centers are an example of a supplementary education schools to be considered for this category.
7. Distance Education Schools. These are schools that provide distance education courses through correspondence, satellite, the internet, or a combination thereof. Grades range from K-12 and the schools offering the educational services may be not-for-profit or proprietary in nature. The instructional program may be delivered by mail, television, internet, or other means. The instruction may represent the complete educational program of the student and lead to a diploma (elementary, middle level, high school) or may supplement the residential program of the student.
8. Travel Study Schools. These are K-12 schools that are typically operated as proprietary schools designed to supplement and coordinate with existing school curriculums, but that are taught at remote sites anywhere in the country or world.
9. International Schools. These are schools in any of the above categories that are housed outside of the United States of America.
10. Postsecondary Nondegree Granting Schools. These are schools for postsecondary students that do not offer a degree.

What are the NAAS Accreditation Standards?

TEACHING AND LEARNING STANDARDS

            1. MISSION, BELIEFS, AND EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT LEARNING

            2. CURRICULUM

            3. INSTRUCTION

            4. ASSESSMENT

SUPPORT STANDARDS

            5. LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION

            6. SCHOOL SERVICES

                        Student Support Services

                        Guidance Services

                        Health Services

                        Library Information Services

                        Special Education Services

                        Family and Community Services

            7. FACILITIES AND FINANCE

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT STANDARD

            8. CULTURE OF CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT

What are the Procedures for Membership?

1. Submit an official application. Applications may be obtained from the state accreditation committee or the Commission office.
2. Submit a completed Annual Report to the accreditation committee before October 15 of each year.
3. Every six (6) years submit to the accreditation committee a certification that: (1) the school has completed, within the preceding three years, a self-evaluation using evaluation instruments approved by the accreditation committee and developed a school improvement plan (SIP; (2) a Visiting Team has reviewed the appraisal made in the self-evaluation.
4. Engage in on-going school improvement.

What are the Accreditation Ratings?
Based on evaluations made by the accreditation committees, schools are “Approved,” “Advised,” “Warned,” or “Dropped” from the list of accredited schools. The accreditation committee considers the compliance of the school in assigning ratings. The accreditation committee has the authority to change the school’s rating. A school is classified as “Approved” when it equals or exceeds the standards of the Commission. A school may be “Approved with Comment” when it is only slightly out of compliance with a particular standard or standards. Schools will be placed on the “Advised” list when no observable effort has been made, by the second year, to become more in compliance with standard upon which comment was previously made. A school is classified as “Advised” when it is not in compliance with one or more standards. An “Approved with Comment” classification need not precede an “Advised” classification. A school is classified as “Warned” when it is not substantially in compliance with one or more standards. Warning is usually given after a school has been “Advised” and does not come into compliance. A school may be moved from “Approved” to “Warned” when the lack of compliance is such that they should not be allowed to persist beyond the current year. A school shall be classified as “Dropped” from membership after two consecutive “Warned” assignments, with the understanding that the accreditation committee has the authority to liberalize this rule. If such an exception is made, it should be followed with an explanation by the accreditation committee. A member school may also be classified as “Dropped” if it is two (2) years in arrears on dues payments (or one [1] year in arrears as an international school), at the time of the annual meeting (see Bylaws Article 4.7)

What are the Benefits of NAAS Accreditation?

1. Members in one of the nation’s six regional accreditation associations.
2. Demonstrating that school meets rigorous standards and reports progress on an annual basis.
3. Promoting self-regulation and participating in an ongoing school improvement process.
4. Being able to assure the public accountability for their tax dollars.
5. Providing a vehicle to meet state accountability laws and NCLB.
6. Helping the schools to collect and analyze the same data that is needed for state and federal laws.
7. Providing external reviews to help schools stay on track and focused on improving student performance.
8. Helping schools use multiple measures to gauge student progress.
9. Providing self-regulation.
10. Providing the structure and tools to align multiple assessments with curriculum and staff development.
11. Providing a method of self-evaluation and quality assurance.
12. Adding value within a local community as its schools are recognized for meeting high standards.

What About Advertising and Representing Accredited Status?
All accredited schools, or individuals acting on their behalf, must exhibit integrity and responsibility in the advertising and representation of accredited status. Responsible self-regulation requires rigorous attention to principles of good practice. The Association believes that educational programs and services offered should be the primary emphasis of all advertisements, publications, promotional literature, and recruitment activities. Furthermore, all statements and representations should be clear, factually accurate, and current.

What is the Credit Acceptance Policy?
Member schools are required to accept credits from schools accredited by any Northwest Association of Accredited Schools member and schools located only within the original states of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, North Central Association of Schools and Colleges, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and subject to any of their own state laws. Credits must also be accepted from third-party schools that are accredited by the Northwest Association through official third-party agreement with those agencies.

Districts and schools can certainly put limits on the number of credits, if any, that are allowed from other regionally accredited school toward any recognition, such as valedictorian, salutatorian, honors, etc. Schools hold the ultimate decision when determining credit acceptance toward student recognition.

It is recognized that a student may transfer to a regionally accredited public school from a regionally accredited private religious schools and seek to transfer credits for courses that are not allowable in public institutions. To ensure the student’s transcript is an accurate record, the transcript must identify the courses and school of origin. The receiving school is responsible for determining whether or not these courses apply toward local graduation requirements.

Member schools are required to adopt written policies and implementation regulations for accepting credits from nonregionally accredited schools and identifying the school of origin. Schools in this category may include nonregionally accredited schools that may be state-accredited, and schools accredited by other agencies (such as third party agencies) that are not current members of the Northwest Association. Such a policy could be as simple as not accepting any credits from nonregionally accredited schools. Schools and districts can certainly put limits on the number of credits, if any, that are allowed from a non-accredited school toward completion of required courses, graduation with their school’s diploma and/or any recognition, such as valedictorian, salutatorian, honors, etc. Schools hold the ultimate decision when determining whether and how to accept credits from nonregionally accredited schools.

Additional information may be found in Questions Concerning Credits on the FAQ web page http://northwestaccreditation.org/faq/index.html.

What is Third-Party Accreditation?
The Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS) facilitates the appropriate application, review, and recognition of qualified and credible third-party accrediting associations serving private schools. Schools receiving third party accreditation by NAAS must be recommended by the third party agency and accepted by NAAS. There are currently seven agencies engaged in a third party relationship with NAAS:

1. Assembly of God (ACTS)
2. Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
3. Christian Schools International (CSI)
4. National Lutheran Schools (NLSA)
5. Pacific Northwest Association of Independent School (PNAIS)
6. Seventh Day Adventists (SDA)
7. Western Education Catholic Association (WECA)

(Links to the respective web sites are found on the NAAS web)

NAAS Policies and procedures and supporting materials clearly outline the Third party Accreditation process and procedures. The NAAS Policies and Procedures are located here.

What is the Process for Appeals?
A school must be notified by the accreditation committee of the specific grounds for any adverse action, such as being “Dropped” or “Warned,” including the specific standard(s) for which there has not been compliance, the nature of the action, and the right of the school to appeal to the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools.

The accreditation committee shall act on any appeal and shall inform the school in writing as to the result of the appeal, the basis for that result, and the school’s right to appeal to the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools.

Appeals related to adverse accreditation decisions, such as being “Dropped” or “Warned,” shall be handled by the Association in accordance with the Association Bylaws (Article VII). Appeals shall be made to the respective accreditation committee and then to the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. The accreditation status of the school shall remain unchanged during the pending of an appeal.

How are the Policies and Procedures Amended?
Amendments to the Policies and Procedures may be originated by any member school, State Advisory Committee, Accreditation Committee, or any member of the Commission.

Where Can I Find Additional Information?
Additional information may be found in the Policy and Procedures Manual found on the policy page of the NAAS web site.