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OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES
1. Eligibility of Schools for Accreditation.
a. Independent Study and Home education programs may apply for accreditation in any
one of the following ways:
1. Candidate for accreditation. Schools may apply as candidates for accreditation at any
time after completion of their second full calendar year of operation.
2. Accreditation. Schools may apply for evaluation and subsequent accreditation after
having completed their third full calendar year of operation.
2. Minimum Criteria for Candidacy.
a. Schools shall demonstrate a minimum level of compliance to the standards of
accreditation.
b. The school shall be in compliance with all State Education Codes.
c. Provision shall be made for students to have access to classes and programs needed to
qualify for college entrance.
d. Graduation requirements shall be consistent with comprehensive high school
graduation requirements.
3. Candidates for accreditation. Candidate for accreditation is a status of affiliation, which
indicates that an institution has achieved initial recognition and is progressing toward, but
does not assume, accreditation. The candidate for accreditation classification is designed
for programs, which are not yet ready for the full evaluation based on the NISAC's
Standards for Accreditation. The program must provide evidence of sound implementation
of these plans, and appear to have the potential for attaining its goals within a reasonable
time. A candidate school is required to submit an annual report and is normally expected
to apply for full accreditation by the third year of candidacy. Candidacy status shall expire
at the end of three years.
a. For schools which are now accredited by WASC;
1. Any such school may be granted interim accreditation (first time only) under the
category "Immediate Affiliation and Listing" upon payment of the annual membership
and listing fee appropriate for the grade levels of the school.
2. The interim accreditation will be coterminous with the last term of accreditation
granted to the school by WASC.
4. Bases for Granting Accreditation.
a. The self-evaluation process by the staff and community of a school, with the assistance of
self-study instruments, is the primary basis for the evaluation and accreditation of a
school.
b. The evaluation commendations and recommendations of a visiting committee, based on
the school's self-study and evaluation and on-site observation, provide another basis for
action by the Council.
c. The Council, after study and discussion, grants accreditation based upon the school's self
-study and the visiting committee's report and recommendation for a term of
accreditation.
d. The Council grants accreditation when the school provides compelling evidence that (1)
a school is substantially accomplishing its own stated purposes and function identified
as appropriate for an institution of its type, and (2) a school is meeting an acceptable
level of quality in accordance with the general standards adopted by the Council.
5. Terms of Accreditation.
a. All regular terms of accreditation, which are granted, by action of the Council start on
July 1 and expire on June 30.
b. Terms of accreditation of from one to six years may be granted.
1. Six Year Term: A term of six years with a written Progress Report to the school's
recommendations listed in the Visiting Committee Report. Upon review and formal
acceptance by the board, the report will be filed with the NISAC Office.
2. Six Year Term With Review: A term of six years with a complete Progress Report on
the major recommendations and one day on-site Review by a two-member committee
to be completed not later than the third year of the six-year term.
3. Three Year Term: A term of three years with a full self-study and full on-site visit
during the third year.
4. One or Two Year Term: A term of one or two years with a complete Progress Report
and Revisit to serve as a "warning" that, unless prompt attention is given to the major
recommendations, accreditation may be denied.
5. Denial of Accreditation: Denial of accreditation based on conditions detailed in the
Visiting Committee Report.
c. Explanations of Terms of Accreditation.
1. Six Year Term: A term of six years with a written Progress Report to the Council on
the major recommendations listed in the Visiting Committee Report. Upon review
and formal acceptance by the board, the report will be filed with the NISAC office.
a. A six-year term of accreditation is reserved for a school, which is able to
demonstrate that it is meeting all criteria at a level judged to be good or outstanding
by the visiting committee. The following areas must also be good or outstanding:
1. All recommendations from the prior report have been addressed in a good or
outstanding manner.
2. The school is accomplishing its stated purposes in a good or outstanding manner.
3. Appropriate student outcome measures consistent with the school's stated
purposes give evidence of good or outstanding student learning and success.
4. The school's self-study was appropriately developed in a good or outstanding
manner with the involvement of all members of the school community as required
by NISAC.
2. Six-Year Term with Review: A term of six years with a complete Progress Report on
the major recommendations and a one day on-site Review by a two member
committee to be completed not later than the third year of the six year term.
a. A six-year term of accreditation is granted to a school, which is meeting all criteria
at a level judged to be adequate or better by the visiting committee. The following
areas must also be adequate or better:
1.All of the recommendations from the prior report have been addressed adequately
2. The school is able to demonstrate that it is accomplishing its stated purposes
with adequate success.
3. Appropriate student outcome measures consistent with the school's stated
purposes give evidences of adequate student learning and success.
4. There is evidence that the school's self-study was adequately developed with the
involvement of members of the school community as required by NISAC.
5. Term Options for Review Committee: The Review Committee may reaffirm the
six years, or recommend a lesser term, additional revisit or studies.
3. Three-Year Term: A term of three years with a full self-study and full on-site visit
during the third year.
a. A three-year term of accreditation is granted to those schools, which in the
judgment of the visiting committee, fall below the adequate level (marginal or
inadequate) in meeting one or more of the NISAC criteria or are less than
adequate in any of the following areas:
1. Prior recommendations from the visiting committee report have been marginally
or inadequately addressed.
2. The school is accomplishing its stated purpose in a marginal or inadequate
manner.
3. Appropriate student outcome measures consistent with the school's stated
purposes gives marginal or inadequate evidence of student learning and success.
4. The school's self study was developed marginally or inadequately with respect to
the involvement of all members of the school community as required by NISAC.
5. Term Options for Revisit Committee: Since this is a full self-study with a full
committee, the visiting committee options for a recommended term are
identical to the regular terms of accreditation, e.g., 6,6 with Review, 3,2,1,0.
4. One or Two-Year Term: A term of one or two years with a complete Progress Report
and Revisit to serve as a "warning" that, unless prompt attention is given to the major
recommendations, accreditation may be denied.
a. A one or two-year term of accreditation is granted to those schools which, in the
judgment of the visiting committee, fall below the adequate level (marginal or
inadequate) in meeting one or more of the criteria or are less than adequate in any
of the following areas:
b. Prior recommendations from the visiting committee report have been marginally
or inadequately addressed.
c. The school's statement of purpose if judged to be marginal or inadequate by the
visiting committee or the committee was unable to find evidences that the school
is adequately accomplishing its stated purpose.
d. Appropriate student outcome measures consistent with the school's stated
purposes give evidences of marginal or inadequate student learning and success.
e. There is marginal, inadequate, or conflicting evidence that the school's self-study
was developed with the involvement of all members of the school community as
required by NISAC.
f. Term Option for Revisit Committees: The Revisit Committee may not
recommend more than one year if a one year term, or two years if a two year term.
5. Denial of Accreditation: Denial of accreditation based on conditions detailed in the
Visiting Committee Report.
a. A school that has received previously a limited term of accreditation will be
denied accreditation if it is judged to be so inadequate in meeting criteria that
the visiting committee believes that an additional term a will serve no purpose or
may also be denied for any of the following reasons:
b. Recommendations from the previous report have been ignored or given only
cursory attention.
c. The school's statement of purpose is inadequate or is ignored in the day-to-day
life of the institution.
d. Appropriate student outcome measures consistent with the school's stated
purposes were marginal, inadequate, nonexistent, or were in such a condition
that it was not possible to make a valid analysis of these measures.
e. In preparing its self-study the school neither gave evidence of serious intent nor
made any reasonable effort to involve significant numbers of the school
community in preparing the report as required by NISAC.
d. The Council may request interim written progress reports, special revisits, or full self
-studies at anytime.
e. The accredited status of a school shall not be changed pending deliberation and decision
by the Council on the granting of a term of accreditation.
f. Criteria for Accreditation - A school shall be evaluated on the basis of the degree to
which it is accomplishing the purposes and functions outlined in its own statement of
objectives, and on the appropriateness of those purposes and functions for an institution
of its type. To qualify for accreditation, a school must give evidence of adequately
meeting the following criteria, which are established as general guidelines to determine
the effectiveness of a school's educational program and services.
g. These criteria are general enough to apply to a wide range of public and private school
. The further specificity needed by the Visiting Committee comes from the statements
embodied in the documents utilized for the school's self-study. Schools may find it
helpful to utilize more specific standards consistent with their own philosophy in their
self-study. These might include the recommendations of professional organizations in
the area of self-study, e.g., curriculum organizations, administrator organizations and the
standards of other organizations with which the school is affiliated.
h. Fundamental to accreditation is the quality of the educational program experienced by
the students. The relative weight of each criterion depends upon its effect on the
educational program experienced by students at the school. In addition, a school must
give evidence of an ongoing process for improving its educational program. The school
will have:
1. Philosophy, Goals, and Objectives - A statement of philosophy approved by the
governing body. School goals and objectives, consistent with the philosophy, are
developed and reviewed systematically by the community, administration, staff,
students, and governing body and regularly communicated to the school community.
The school shall have on-going evaluations of progress toward these goals and
objectives.
2. Organization - A clearly defined organizational structure whereby the goals and
objectives are being carried out. The description of the structure shall specify: the
functions of the governing body, administration, staff, and students; the relationships
among these groups; the limits of authority and responsibility; and the relationship
with parents and community. Of equal concern is evidence of effective working
relationships and communication among all concerned.
3. Student Support Services - A plan for student support services that identifies the
needs, interests, aptitudes, and goals of all students, and provides these students with
appropriate educational, career, personal, and social guidance.
4. Curricular Program - A curricular program with written course descriptions and
objectives that provides all students with suitable courses of instruction, consistent
with the school's philosophy, goals, and objectives, and the students' needs, abilities,
and interests.
a. There shall be adequate and appropriate instructional resources to implement the
curricular program.
b. Curriculum shall reflect the best professional practices and be the object of ongoing
evaluation involving the community, administration, staff, students, and governing
body.
5. Co-Curricular Program - Appropriate co-curricular offerings that supplement the
formal instruction of the school and are responsive to the students' needs and
interests and draw upon special skills and enthusiasms among students, faculty, and
community resources.
6. Staff - A well-qualified staff whose members work cooperatively as individuals and as
a team to create an environment in which effective learning takes place.
7. School Plant - Safe and adequate facilities and equipment that enable the staff to
implement effectively the school program.
8. Finance - Continuing financial support to provide a quality educational program,
which includes the necessary staff, physical facilities, instructional resources, and
other support services to achieve the goals and objectives of the school.The budget
development process shall involve those who are responsible for implementing the
school's programs and services.
9. Program Publications - The institution must publish a catalog, which pertains
specifically to the institution it represents. The catalog or bulletin of general
information should explain and inform the essential facts of an institution and its
parts. The catalog should contain the following, at a minimum:
a. A table of contents or index;
b. Dates the catalog is effective, either on the front or on the title page;
c. Names and titles of administrators of the institution;
d. Statement of ownership of the institution, which should include the names of
trustees, directors, and officers of the corporation;
e. If the institution is now accredited, a statement indicating the level of accreditation
For example, "The institution is accredited by the National Independent Study
Accreditation Council" or "The institution is a candidate for accreditation with the
National Independent Study Accreditation Council."
f. A statement of the institutional mission.
g. Programs offered, including a statement of the objective or purpose of curriculum, a
complete listing of the courses offered; a description of each course; the credits
allowed for each subject; total credits required for graduation; explanation of
grading system; definition of the unit of credit; explanation of the standards of
satisfactory academic progress; statement of tuition, fees, and other charges for the
programs; statement of institutional refund policy; statement indicating what
student services are provided; a complete and accurate listing of all scholarships
offered at the institution.
6. Evaluation Instruments
A. Copyrights shall be maintained on evaluation instruments developed by the Council
These instruments shall be used by schools for self-evaluation studies, except where
specific permission is granted by the Executive Director to use other instruments.
1. Revision of self-study instruments.
a. Self-study instruments shall be regularly revised in accordance with a schedule
approved by the Council.
b. The Executive Director shall be responsible for designating staff to coordinate the
review and revision of instruments. The Council shall be kept informed concerning
revision activities and major changes being contemplated in instruments.
c. Before any instruments or criteria are approved, the Council members should
discuss and make suggestions about such instruments and criteria.
d. The Executive Director shall be responsible for inviting users of the self-study
instruments to submit evaluations and suggestions for future revisions.
e. The Executive Director shall be responsible for tentatively approving revised
instruments, authorizing their duplication, and distributing them to schools.
Following final approval by the Council, the copyrights shall be renewed. The
Executive Director is also authorized to permit the reproduction and use of
portions of the self-study documents by other agencies.
2. Development of new self-study instruments.
a. The Executive Director, with the approval of the Council, may designate staff to
develop new self-study instruments in cooperation with appropriate organizations
represented on the Council; may arrange to pilot-test the instruments in a limited
number of schools; and may arrange to revise such drafts for further pilot-testing.
b. The Executive Director shall be responsible for recommendations to the Council
when a new self-study instrument is to be made available for general use. Prior to
such recommendation the latest draft of the proposed new instrument shall be
made available to members of the Council.
c. Following Council approval of any new self-study instrument, it shall be
copyrighted and shall be incorporated into the schedule for review and revision,
along with the other instruments to which the Council holds copyrights.
7. Appeal Procedures
A. A letter is to be directed to the Council by the chief administrator(s) of the district and
school within sixty (60) days of receipt of the letter of notification of the action by the
Council, stating the basis for the appeal. A check in the amount of the validation fee
shall accompany the letter of appeal.
B. The appeal shall be based on one or more of the following grounds: (1) There were
errors or omissions in carrying out prescribed procedures on the part of the evaluation
team and/or the Council; (2) there was demonstrable bias or prejudice on the part of
one or more members of the evaluation team or Council which materially affected the
Council's decision; (3) the evidence before the Council prior to and on the date when it
made the decision which is being appealed was materially in error; or (4) the decision
of the Council was not supported by substantial evidence.
C. Upon the receipt of a letter of appeal, the Executive Director shall appoint a validation
team to visit the school, review recommendations, and submit a report to the Council
with a recommendation for action. The validation team shall consist of the chairperson
or a member of the original committee; a member of the Council and an experienced
chairperson not previously involved with the school and shall serve as chairperson of the
validation team. If the three members of the validation team are unable to reach
agreement on a recommendation, a minority and a majority report setting forth the
recommendations and the reasons therefore may be submitted. Only terms of three
years or less may be appealed. A six-year term with a review may not be appealed. It is
a full term with a mid-term review and report to the Council. Therefore, as a full term, it
is not subject to appeal or revision.
D. The validation team report shall be provided directly to the Council for action with no
copies available to the school until after Council action.
E. Prior to the visit of the validation team, a copy of the Recommendation for a Term of
Accreditation form containing the Justification Statement shall be provided to the
chief administrator of the school submitting the appeal.
F. In the hearing of an appeal, the validation team is to base its recommendations on
conditions, which existed at the time; the visiting committee was at the school.
G. The Council shall act on the 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
Board of Directors of NISAC. The action of the Council on an appeal of a term of
accreditation shall be final.
H. The action of the Council on an appeal for denial or withdrawal of accreditation need
not be final. A school may appeal to the Board of Directors of NISAC.
I. The accredited status of a school shall not be changed pending disposition of an appeal
8. Individual Ethics and Integrity.
A. The Council has an obligation to insure that any school, which seeks candidacy,
accreditation, extension of candidacy, or reaffirmation of accreditation, conducts its
affairs with integrity.
B. Each candidate and accredited school shall accurately portray the status of its
accreditation in any publications, advertising, news releases, or transcripts.
1. Any school which has been granted a term of accreditation is authorized to use the
term "Fully Accredited by (or) Accredited by the National Independent Study
Accreditation Council" until such time as its accreditation has either lapsed or been
denied. If all grade levels operated by the school were included in the self-study and
evaluation, other cases, the statement must specify Accredited (or) Accredited for
Grades (9-12, for example) by the National Independent Study Accreditation
Council.
2. Transcripts of students who are graduating or transferring from grades covered by the
accreditation should be stamped with a NISAC logo which can be obtained from the
NISAC Office, or the "Accredited by ....." phrase can be typed on the transcript.
3. Any school which has been granted a term as an approved candidate for accreditation
is authorized to use the term "Candidate School of the National Independent Study
Accreditation Council," until such time as its candidacy has either lapsed or been
denied. Candidate schools MAY NOT use the NISAC logo accreditation stamp on
transcripts, but the above phrases should be typed thereon.
C. When the Council has reason to believe that any school with which it is concerned is
acting in an unethical manner or is deliberately misrepresenting itself to students or
public, it shall review the basis of the concerns. If after such review and opportunity for
the school to respond, the Council finds that the school has engaged in unethical
conduct of undermined, the Council shall:
1. Break off relations with the applicant school.
2. Issue a show cause order with a time stated to the candidate or the accredited school.
The school must be notified of the specific grounds for adverse action, the specific
standard(s) for which there has not been compliance, the nature of the action, and the
right of the school to appeal.
3. Disseminate to appropriate media a notice publicly correcting incorrect or misleading
information.
4. In extreme cases, immediately sever its relationship with the school by denying or
terminating candidacy or accreditation. The school may appeal the decision of the
Council in accordance with the complaints process.
9. School Self-Study and Visiting Committee Reports.
A. The school's self-study report and the visiting committee report shall be under the
control of the school except as designated in 9.C. Schools shall present these reports to
their respective governing boards and are encouraged to make them available to staff,
students, and patrons of the school.
B. The accredited school shall maintain at least one copy of the most recent school self
-study report and the report of the visiting committee in its permanent file.
C. The Council shall retain in its library the most recent copy of each school's self-study
and visiting committee report.
D. The school self-study report is a fundamental document in the process of NISAC
evaluation/accreditation. It provides the basis on which the visiting committee
conducts its visit of the school and prepares its report. If the chairperson of the visiting
committee and the Executive Director of the Council concur that the school self-study
report is inadequate or that it has not been received in time for the visiting committee to
prepare adequately, the visit may be canceled or postponed until such time as an
adequate self-study is made available at least two weeks in advance of the visit. Any
additional costs incurred by such cancellation or rescheduling of the visit shall be
assumed by the school.
E. The Recommendation for a Term of Accreditation form, which contains the visiting
committee's recommendation for a term of accreditation, shall be under the control of
the Council. In the event of an appeal, a copy of this document shall be provided to the
school.
10. Disclosure and Confidentiality of Information.
A. It is the obligation of every school applying for candidacy, extension of candidacy,
accreditation, or reaffirmation of accreditation, and of every candidate or accredited
school to provide the Council with access to all parts of its operation, with due regard for
the rights of individual privacy, and with complete and accurate information with
respect to the school, including reports of other accrediting, licensing, and auditing
agencies. Failure to do so, or to make complete, accurate, and honest disclosure, is
sufficient reason in and of itself to deny or revoke candidacy or accreditation.
B. The Council shall maintain confidentiality of information supplied by the school except,
when it is judged necessary, the Council may announce through its Executive Director
any action the Council has taken and the basis for that action, making public any
pertinent information available to the Council
11. Extension of Accreditation.
A. The Executive Director may grant a one-year extension of accreditation of candidacy.
B. Postponement of subsequent evaluation, because of extenuating circumstances, and the
extension of accreditation, may be granted by the Council. The Executive Director may
approve requests for extension to facilitate district evaluation schedules.
C. Extensions of accreditation may not be granted to schools requesting extension for the
third successive year without the preparation of a full progress report and an on-site visit
by a two-member committee which shall prepare a report on a recommendation to the
Council.
12. Lapse of Accreditation.
A. Where a term of accreditation has not expired.
1. Where a school has allowed its accreditation to lapse and the prior term of
accreditation has not expired, a school may be readmitted upon the recommendation
of a revisit committee comprised, generally, of a member of the Council and a member
of the Council staff, and subsequent action by the Council. Such a school shall be
required to pay past-due annual fees.
B. Where a term of accreditation has expired.
1. Where a school has allowed its accreditation to lapse and the term of accreditation
has expired, a school must apply for full evaluation and shall remain in non-member
status until such school has undergone a full-scale self-study and the Council has
taken action on a term of accreditation.
13. Complaints Concerning Accredited Schools.
A. The response of the Council to complaints about accredited schools for not meeting an
acceptable level of quality in accordance with the general Criteria depends on the
nature of the complaint and the evidence offered. Only substantially supported
complaints about condition and/or practices, the Council should consider which could
seriously jeopardize or disrupt the educational services of the school or substantially
weaken public confidence in the value of the accreditation.
B. If such a complaint should arise, and if the Executive Director deems it of sufficient
importance, the Director and a Council member appointed by the Chairperson of the
Council, shall investigate the complaint with the knowledge of, and in conference with,
those who are concerned. If time permits, the Executive Director shall then report the
results of such a preliminary investigation to the Council for instructions on further
action. If the results of the investigation corroborate the complaint the Executive
Director may direct the school to rectify the situation or take such other immediate
action as he/she deems appropriate subject to ratification of the action by the Council
at its next meeting. Examples of such other action might be:
1. An administrative letter of censure.
2.A written order to the school to show cause why accreditation should not be denied.
The school must be notified of the specific grounds for adverse action, the specific
standard(s) for which there has not been compliance, the nature of the action, and
the right of the school to appeal.
3. A requirement that the school make official rectification to the complainant.
4. Other actions as deemed appropriate by the Executive Director in consultation with
the Council Chairperson.
C. If time does not permit the Executive Director is authorized to take prompt action after
consultation with the Council Chairperson. Such actions shall be limited to those set
forth in 13.B.1. to 13.B.4. above. It is the position of the Council that timeliness is critical
in this complaint procedure. All actions taken should be completed within a reasonable
periods of time.
D. In every case of action taken by the Council or its officers in response to a complaint or
any other inquiry made of a school, the affected school shall be given opportunity for
response prior to the action taking place. In the case of complaints the school always
shall be provided at least 30 calendar days to respond. The school response shall be
carefully considered before any action becomes final.
14. Public Notices.
A. Notices to the Public. The Executive Director shall provide a current list of accredited
and candidate schools to the Secretary-Treasurer of the National Independent Study
Accreditation Council for publication in the Annual NISAC Directory. The list shall
indicate the date when the current accreditation expires for each institution. The
Directory shall by distributed to any person requesting a copy.
1. The Council shall maintain and make publicly available written materials describing:
a. Each type of accreditation and preaccreditation granted by the Council;
b. Council procedures for applying for candidacy or accreditation.
c. The criteria and procedures used by the Council for determining whether to grant,
reaffirm, reinstate, deny, restrict, revoke, or take any other action related to each
type of accreditation and preaccreditation that the Council grants;
d. The names, academic, and profession qualification, and relevant employment and
organizational affiliations of the members of the Council as well as the agency's
principal administrative staff; and
e. The institutions or programs that the Council currently accredits or preaccredits
and the date when the agency will review or reconsider the accreditation or
preaccreditation of each institution or program.
2. The Council shall provide advance public notice or proposed new or revised criteria,
giving interested parties adequate opportunity to comment on these proposals
prior to their adoption.
B. Notices to Other Agencies. Other appropriate accrediting agencies, and the public
shall be notified within 30 days of any of the following actions: (a) the award of initial
accreditation or candidate status, (b) final decision to deny, withdraw, suspend, or
terminate accreditation or preaccreditation or to take other adverse action, (c)
decision to place institution or program on probation, (d) decision by accredited
institution or program to withdraw from accreditation or preaccreditation, or (e)
decision by accredited institution or program to let its accreditation or preaccreditation
lapse. A statement summarizing the agency's decision to deny, withdraw, suspend, or
terminate accreditation or preaccreditation and the comments, if any, made by the
affected institution or program shall be provided to anyone upon request. At the same
time the Council notifies any school of any adverse action, including any decision to
deny, withdraw, suspend, or terminate accreditation or candidate status, the Council
shall also notify the State Department of Education within the state where the school's
offices are located.
15. Financial Practices.
A. Fee Schedule. The fee schedule shall be reviewed annually and adjusted by Council
approval to meet budgetary needs and to provide for the maintenance of a reserve of
approximately 20% of the average annual expenditures of the three preceding years.
B. Regular accreditation listing fees shall be billed on a fiscal year basis and paid by
December 31 of the current school year. Schools with unpaid fees shall be considered
delinquent and subject to removal from the list of accredited schools.
C. Members of visiting committees, Council members, and staff members on Council
business shall be reimbursed for actual expenses in accordance with Council
guidelines.
16. Office Policies and Procedures.
A. Office policies and procedures not covered in these Council-established Operational
Guidelines are the responsibility of the Executive Director.
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