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Resources and Allocation
The space, facilities, and environment of the school are safe for students
and of a size, configuration, and condition to properly serve the attainment
of the goals of the school. Those people serving students are qualified to do
so through documented training and experience. Sufficient time is organized
so that the school community's mission, goals, and current improvement initiatives
can be fulfilled. A coordinated system designed to increase students' access
to information and expand their knowledge base is available. Sufficient financial
resources are available to provide space, people, time, materials, and instructional
programs to maximize the potential for all students to make successful life
transitions.
Time
| RA-c 1
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A school day of at least 6 hours,
exclusive of lunchtime, is made available for all students. |
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| RA-c 2 |
The length of the school year
is at least 180 days, with classes in session for at least 175 days or
the equivalent in hours. |
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| RA-c 3
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Within the teacher's workday,
each teacher has a minimum of 200 minutes each week scheduled for conferences,
instructional planning, and preparation (full-time kindergarten teachers
have a minimum of 300 minutes per week). This standard does not apply
to administrators, counselors, librarians and, when approved by the State
Committee, to people in certain vocational and special education areas.
The principle of full-time equivalency applies. |
Space
| RA-c 10
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The site is readily accessible
for the school population, as free as possible from traffic hazards and
distracting noises, extensive enough to provide for all instructional
needs, and attractively landscaped. |
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| RA-c 11 |
The building is clean, attractive,
and in good repair so as to accommodate the instructional program. |
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| RA-c 12 |
Recognized standards and legal
requirements for heating, ventilation, and illumination are observed.
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| RA-c 13 |
Adequate space is provided for
regular classrooms, specialized instructional areas such as gymnasiums
and laboratories, offices for guidance services, and other areas needed
to serve the purposes of the school. Adequate and appropriate space for
storage, materials preparation, and consultation are provided. |
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| RA-c 14 |
Proper precautions are taken to
protect students and employees from injuries in any part of the building
or site where accidents are likely to occur. |
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| RA-c 15 |
There are regular inspections
for fire safety by official fire or police inspectors, all legal requirements
for fire safety are observed, and fire drills are required at least twice
each semester. An adequate number of regularly inspected fire extinguishers
are designated clearly throughout the building. |
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| RA-c 16 |
Plans and/or procedures to be
followed in the case of disasters other than fire have been developed,
posted throughout the building, and practiced with students sufficiently
frequently to ensure their familiarity with the procedures. |
Personnel
The school is staffed by teachers who are well qualified in professional and
subject matter areas, actively encouraged by the school to improve their competencies,
involved in those areas of decision-making affecting the school program, and
teaching under conditions favorable to good morale.
| RA-c 20
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Each staff member has the qualifications
and skills needed to contribute to the school's implementation of its
statement of philosophy and goals. The objective of all staff development
programs is increased student learning. |
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| RA-c 21 |
The members of the teaching staff
evidence skills in human relations, communications, and instructional
effectiveness. Those skills are demonstrated in ways such as these: |
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- Activities evidencing an understanding of research about the components
of effective teaching.
- Activities evidencing an understanding that the results of the assessment
of students hold implications for the learner and the teacher.
- Activities evidencing an awareness of the differing educational
needs of each student.
- Activities evidencing an understanding of the human need for an
orderly and positive environment.
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| RA-c 22
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The members of the administrative
staff evidence skills in human relations, communications, supervision,
and instructional effectiveness. Those skills are demonstrated in ways
such as these: |
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- Activities evidencing an understanding of research about the components
of effective teaching, management, and leadership.
- Activities evidencing the valuing of leadership efforts by students,
teachers, and community representatives.
- Activities evidencing as a prime goal the acknowledgment and encour-agement
of effective teaching and learning.
- Activities evidencing a willingness to help others achieve the school's
goals and their personal goals within the profession.
- Activities evidencing an interest in securing suggestions from others
regarding the administrator's effectiveness.
- Activities evidencing an understanding of the human need for an
orderly and positive environment.
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| RA-c 23 |
Discriminatory practices based
on race, religion, ethnic background, gender, physical handicap, or age
are not be used in the placement, assignment, or retention of school personnel
except that church-affiliated schools may prefer members of that faith.
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| RA-c 30
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Teachers hold a baccalaureate
degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association.
Graduates of nonaccredited institutions may have their undergraduate work
validated by admittance to graduate standing and completion of a minimum
of five semester hours of credit in a regionally accredited graduate college.
Credentials from a foreign university will be accepted only after they
have been evaluated by a regionally-accredited baccalaureate degree-granting
institution, a state department of education, or an appropriate credentials
evaluating service and the work is declared the equivalent of similar
work in an American institution. |
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| RA-c 31 |
A majority of the members of the
teaching staff holds an advanced degree. |
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| RA-c 32 |
Wherever in these standards a
master's degree or graduate work is required, the work must have been
taken in a regionally accredited institution. Work in a foreign university
will be accepted only if the work is evaluated by the graduate division
of a regionally accredited university and is declared the equivalent of
similar graduate work in an American institution. The graduate division
must also declare that the foreign institution is an established and internationally
recognized institution. |
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| RA-c 33 |
All teachers have at least 40
semester hours of work in general education well distributed over such
fields as English, history, social science, mathematics, fine arts, languages,
science, philosophy, and psychology. |
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| RA-c 34 |
All staff members have at least
12 semester hours of work in such areas as the learning process, educational
measurement, educational psychology, educational philosophy, and curriculum,
plus student teaching. Satisfactory teaching experience may be substituted
for the student teaching required. By way of exception, the school may
employ teachers and other profes-sional staff members who do not have
those 12 hours in education courses, provided those teachers have demonstrated
competency in teaching students at that particular level, display proficiency
in their assigned areas, and have been selected for their ability to relate
to the students enrolled in the assigned courses. |
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| RA-c_35 |
Teachers in the lower school meet
the requirements appropriate for their assignment as follows: |
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- In addition to the requirements stated in RA-c 34, all teachers
in the lower school have at least 15 semester hours of work in elementary
education courses.
- Teachers having assignments in the early childhood education program
have appropriate preparation in those areas.
- Personnel such as reading specialists, psychologists, and speech
therapists have a minimum of 15 semester hours in their area of specialization.
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| RA-c 36 |
Teachers in the middle school
meet the requirements appropriate for their assignment as follows: |
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- Teachers with elementary qualifications may teach all subjects in
a self-contained classroom.
- In departmentalized programs, teachers have 18 semester hours in
the field.
- Teachers of combined subjects have 24 semester hours of appropriately
distributed credit in the included subject fields
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| RA-c 37 |
Teachers in the upper school meet
the requirements appropriate for their assignment as follows: |
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- Art: 24 semester hours in art.
- Business: 24 semester hours in business with at least one
college course in each subject to which the teacher is assigned.
- Core or Block of Time: 30 semester hours appropriately distributed
among the subjects included in the core or block of time.
- Language arts (English, journalism, speech): 30 semester
hours in English and/or related fields, with an appropriate distribution
of courses for the teacher's current assignment.
- Foreign languages: 20 semester hours in each foreign language
to which the teacher is assigned.
- Health: A teacher of health must first qualify under these
standards for a specific teaching field and must have at least eight
hours of health-related courses. A full major in health alone (20
semester hours) will qualify the teacher under this requirement.
- Humanities: 30 semester hours of courses appropriately distributed
among subjects included in the course. Because this course often includes
such areas as art, music, literature, philosophy, and social studies,
members of a team of teachers responsible for the course are qualified
in the areas they are teaching.
- Mathematics: 20 semester hours of credit in mathematics.
- Music: 24 semester hours in music, with course work appropriate
to the teacher's assignment.
- Physical education: 20 semester hours in physical education.
- Religious studies (non-doctrinal): A teacher of non-doctrinal
religious studies must meet the NCA-CASI requirements for a teacher
of English, social studies, or humanities, with at least six semester
hours in religious studies appropriate to the specific courses being
taught by the teacher.
- Science: 30 semester hours in science, distributed appropriately
in the subjects to which the teacher is assigned. Teachers of highly
specialized elective subjects have had training and/or experience
sufficient to qualify them for assignment to teach such specialized
electives, subject to the approval of the State Committee.
- Social studies: 30 semester hours in the field of social
studies, with an appropriate distribution of courses for the teacher's
current assignment.
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| RA-c 42 |
Special service personnel meet
the requirements appropriate for their assignment as follows: |
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- Counselors: Professional staff members providing the full range
of guid-ance services have at least 18 semester hours of graduate preparation
in guidance and counseling.
- Media personnel: Librarians have a minimum of 18 semester hours
in library/media coursework.
- Health personnel: Members of the non-instructional professional
staff providing health services have preparation appropriate to their
specific area of responsibility
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| RA-c 43 |
Administrative and supervisory personnel. The administrative structure
and organization of the school reflects the unique purposes of the school
and all personnel having administrative and supervisory functions have
training appropriate for the assignment. In all schools, the person
responsible for the administration of the instructional program has
earned 45 semester hours of graduate work inclusive of a master's degree.
No fewer than 20 semester graduate hours have been in professional education
courses, drawn from such areas as administration, curriculum, supervision,
and related fields. The person also has had a minimum of two years of
successful teaching experience.
This provision must be met within two years of the person's assuming
this responsibility in an NCA-CASI school or of the school's entering
the NCA-CASI. However, the person must possess at least the master's
degree at the assumption of administrative duties. Evidence of progress
toward meeting this standard is to be submitted annually to the State
Committee.
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| RA-c 44 |
The number of professional staff
members employed by the school is adequate to provide effective instruction,
direction of extra-classroom activities, counseling, and other educational
services. |
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| RA-c 45 |
The ratio of students to classroom
teachers does not exceed 22 to 1. |
Finances
| RA-c 50
|
The board is responsible for securing
the resources needed to maintain high standards in providing the staff,
facilities, and materials needed to accomplish the school's mission. Long-range
financial planning is documented on a continuing basis. |
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| RA-c 51 |
The board ensures proper budgetary
procedures in the accounting of school funds, adequate safekeeping of
records, and an annual audit of accounts. Policies on institutional development
are consistent with state and federal regulations. |
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| RA-c 52
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For any instances in which the
school charges tuition, the school has a policy, approved by the governing
board, regarding procedures to be used in the refunding of tuition if
the student withdraws from the school. |
Instructional Resources
Adequate and appropriate teaching and learning materials and equipment for
each area of the school's program are provided in the amount and types needed
to accomplish the stated instructional objectives of the school.
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RA-c 60
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Classrooms and specialized teaching areas such as laboratories and physical
educational facilities are adequately supplied with equipment and materials
sufficiently modern and usable to effect sound instructional programs.
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RA-c 61
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Procedures for requisitioning supplies and equipment are developed
and followed to ensure the prompt delivery of materials to teachers.
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RA-c 62
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A coordinated instructional media program makes available to teachers
and students a wide range of media. The program is developed in such
a way as to support instruction through appropriate facilities and through
professionally and technically prepared staff. The professional staff
provides such services as instructing students in the use of the media
center, assisting teachers in locating and using resources, and the
production of graphic and other materials.
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| RA-c 63 |
An appropriate collection of books
(exclusive of textbooks) and periodicals is provided to support the instructional
program. In addition to print materials, the collection should include
filmstrips, computer programs, tape and disc recordings, and videotapes.
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| RA-c 64 |
The center is attractive, easily
accessible, well lighted, and appropriately equipped. The center is not
used as a study hall requiring supervision by the professional staff.
Sufficient workroom and storage space are provided. |
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| RA-c 65 |
The school employs the equivalent of at least one professionally trained
individual. In order to provide media services, the equivalent of the
following numbers of professional library personnel is required according
to the enrollment categories shown:
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| Enrollment |
Qualified Library/Media Specialists
Required |
| Fewer than 200 |
At least one half-time specialist |
| 200 or more |
At least one full-time specialist |
| RA-c 66
|
The annual expenditure for books, magazines, and audio-visual materials
(exclusive of textbooks) is adequate to maintain a current and comprehensive
collection. The contributions of federally funded programs may be counted
in meeting this standard.
To keep the staff informed about current curriculum trends and research
findings, the school makes available a library of professional books
and periodicals.
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| RA-c 67
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The professional staff has developed
a statement of policy for the selection of reference materials, instructional
materials for the library, and textbooks. The policy has been adopted
by the governing board. |
Residential Provisions
If boarding students are enrolled, the school provides adequate and suitable
dormitory, social, health, and dining facilities. Furthermore, the school maintains
a social and educational program for its boarding students during the time of
their residence.
| RA-c 70
|
Provision is made to stimulate
the intellectual and social development of students in residence. The
dormitory staff and program are structured to provide support for the
school's program of education. |
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| RA-c 71 |
In order to provide leadership
responsibilities and social development, provision is made for planned
social and recreational activities for after-school hours and for weekends.
The necessary supervision by adults is provided. |
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| RA-c 72 |
Dormitory supervision is administered
by appropriately trained personnel and is designed to serve the best interests
of each student. The active participation of students is encouraged in
the governing procedures of the dormitory. |
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| RA-c 73 |
Dormitory facilities meet all
applicable state and local standards and are free of fire and safety hazards.
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| RA-c 74 |
The dormitories are located conveniently
in terms of other school facilities and school operations. |
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| RA-c 75 |
Sleeping rooms provide sufficient
space and privacy for students. |
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| RA-c 76 |
Adequate space and facilities
are provided for the social, physical, recreational, and study needs of
the resident students. |
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| RA-c 77 |
Periodic inspections are made
to ensure that facilities are free from fire and safety hazards. Fire
drills are held at least twice each semester at times when students are
in the dormitories. |
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| RA-c 78 |
Evacuation plans and/or procedures
to be followed in the case of disasters other than fire have been developed,
posted throughout the dormitory, and practiced with students sufficiently
frequently to ensure the students' familiarity with those procedures.
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| RA-c 79
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Food services meet all applicable
state and local require-ments in areas such as personnel, periodic health
examinations of employees, sanitation, and regular safety and health inspections
of the facilities. |
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| RA-c 80 |
Food expenditures are adequate
to meet the nutritional needs of the students served and provide a varied
diet. |
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| RA-c 81 |
Adequate provisions are made for
the identification and care of the physical and mental needs of the students
in residence. |
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| RA-c 82 |
Provisions for adequate health
care, beyond the regular services of the school, are arranged through
local health care agencies. |
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| RA-c 83 |
A nurse is available at all times
to care for the normal health requirements of the students in residence.
All persons providing health services are licensed appropriately. |
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| RA-c 84 |
Adequate medical supplies are
kept on hand to accommodate the normal health requirements of the students
in residence. |
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| RA-c 85 |
Health facilities meet all applicable
state and local standards. |
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| RA-c 86
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If dormitory supervision is the
responsibility of the administration and faculty, provision is made to
ensure that the total workload, including both the teaching and dormitory
responsibilities, is not excessive. |
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