POLICY STATEMENTS OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF NONPUBLIC SCHOOL STATE ACCREDITING ASSOCIATIONS

#1 Development/Review/Revise Policy Statements
#2 Criteria for Admittance of State Chapters of the National Federation
#3 Procedures to Review the Operations and Functions of State Chapters
#4 Procedures for the Termination of Noncompliant State Chapters
#5 Appeals and Procedures for Appeal

POLICY STATEMENT #1: “Develop/Review/and Revise Policy Statements”
It shall be the policy of the National Federation to develop/review/and revise all policy statements of the Federation.

The Board of Directors shall conduct annually a review of all policy statements of the Federation.
The Board of Directors shall develop new policies as needed to fulfill the mission and facilitate the operation of the Federation.
No policy shall be adopted that is contrary to the Articles of Incorporation, the By-Laws, or the mission of the Federation.

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POLICY STATEMENT #2: “Criteria for Admittance of State Chapters of the National Federation”
It shall be the policy of the National Federation to develop/review/and revise the “Criteria for Admittance of State Chapters” on a regular basis.

The Board of Directors of the National Federation before admitting State Chapters shall see that the following steps have been taken:

1. A State Chapter shall have its Articles of Incorporation approved and filed by the respective Secretary of State.
2. A State Chapter shall have their Articles of Incorporation and their By-Laws written in such a manner that the State Chapter will qualify as a tax exempt organization under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, if application for such an exemption were filed.
3. A State Chapter shall have stated in their By-Laws that the regulatory board shall be established to conduct the affairs of the State Chapter, and that this board shall meet at least annually or as prescribed by state law.
4. A State Chapter shall have established a criteria for elementary schools, and secondary schools. They shall have established criteria for special education and pre-school, if they choose to offer these programs.
5. A State Chapter shall have established an annual review process to ensure quality education.
6. A State Chapter shall have established an annual reporting process.
7. A State Chapter shall have established as a policy that a self-study will be conducted by each school at a regular interval for the purpose of school improvement. Following the completion of the self-study, an on-site visitation will be conducted.
8. A State Chapter shall have at least the following standards that will promote self-improvement:
    a. Mission and Philosophy
    b. Curriculum
    c. Administration
    d. Facilities
    e. Pupil Personnel Services
    f. Instructional Resources
    g. Professional Staff
    h. Parental and Community Involvement
    i. Strategic Plans
    j. School Climate
    k. Finances

9. A State Chapter shall establish criteria for each standard which further defines each standard.
10. A State Chapter shall have established a policy on procedures for admitting new members and terminating delinquent members.
11. A State Chapter shall have established a set of “Guiding Principles” that will help a member school or a prospective member school understand the purpose of accreditation, the value of criteria and the expectations of the State Chapter of member schools.
12. A State Chapter shall have developed procedures to monitor the implementation of recommendations made at the conclusion of the site visit.
13. A State Chapter shall have agreed to submit the minutes of its annual corporation meeting to the National Federation Board.
14. A State Chapter shall have established an Appeals Procedures for a member school challenging its status as decided by the State Chapter.
15. A State Chapter applying for membership in the National Federation shall submit documentation for all the criteria along with the application form. Application for membership shall be considered at annual board meeting of the Federation.

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POLICY STATEMENT #3: “Procedures for the National Federation to Review the Operations and Functions of the State Chapters”
It shall be the policy of the National Federation to develop/review/and revise the “Procedures for the National Federation to Review the Operation and Function of State Chapters,” on a regular basis, and which shall include a yearly report form of the State Chapters.


Annually, State Chapters shall submit the following documentation:

1. The Annual Report which shall include the following:
    a. The number of member schools in the State Chapter
    b. The status of member schools
    c. The number of schools that have applied for admission to the State Chapter
    d. The names of the regulatory board of each State Chapter, indicating the principal officers
    2. The By-Laws of the State Chapter, noting any significant changes.
    3. The admission procedures of the State Chapter, noting any changes.
    4. The standards/criteria of the State Chapter, noting any changes.
    5. The income statement for the past fiscal year.
    6. The minutes of the annual meeting of the regulatory board of the State Chapter.
    7. The annual membership dues to the National Federation.
    8. The appeal procedures of the State Chapter, noting any changes.
    9. The significant changes in state legislation that have affected a State Chapter.

The Board of Directors shall review the documentation at the annual meeting to determine the standing of the State Chapter.

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POLICY STATEMENT #4: “Procedures for the Termination of Noncompliant State Chapters”
It shall be the policy of the National Federation to develop/review/and revise “Procedures for the Noncompliance of State Chapters” on a regular basis.

The Board of Director shall declare State Chapters noncompliant when the following violations occur:

1. When the State Chapter fails to file an annual report with the National Federation.
2. When the State Chapter fails to submit the minutes of their annual Board meeting; a copy of last year’s financial statement; or pay the yearly dues.
3. When a representative of the State Chapter fails to attend the annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Federation.
4. When the State Chapter commits a serious violation of the Articles of Incorporation, the By-Laws, or the established Policy Statements of the National Federation.

When the Board of Directors shall declare a State Chapter noncompliant, the Board shall issue a FIRST WARNING. The State Chapter shall be given the reason for the FIRST WARNING.

When the Board of Directors shall declare a State Chapter noncompliant for a second time, the Board shall issue a SECOND WARNING. The State Chapter shall be given the reason for this SECOND WARNING.

No State Chapter may be given a SECOND WARNING unless the reason for the warning is the same as was given for the FIRST WARNING.

The noncompliant State Chapter shall have a period of one year-until the next annual meeting of the National Federation-to come into compliance with the warning issued by the Board.

When the State Chapter has not complied one year after the SECOND WARNING, The National Federation Board shall issue a Letter of Separation by mail.

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POLICY STATEMENT #5: “Appeals and Procedures for Appeals”
It shall be the policy of the National Federation to develop/review/and revise “Appeals and Procedures for Appeals” on a regular basis.

Occasionally a State Chapter member or those State Chapters seeking admission to the National Federation of Nonpublic School State Accrediting Associations may disagree with the Board of Director’s decision concerning the status of their State Chapter, or with the reasons cited for noncompliance.

Should a State Chapter member or a State Chapter seeking membership in the National Federation disagree with their assigned status or with the reasons stated for non-compliance, a State Chapter shall have the right to appeal.

The National Federation approved the following procedures a State Chapter shall use to appeal a decision by a recognized body of the National Federation:
1. At least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting of the Board of Directors, the State Chapter shall receive in writing by registered mail, notification of its status with the National Federation.
2. A State Chapter may challenge its status within those thirty (30) days by writing to the Executive Director of the National Federation and lodging an appeal or for submitting additional information. The appeal shall state specifically the reason for seeking the reversal on the decision.
3. The Board of Directors of the National Federation shall establish an Appeals Board within thirty (30) days upon receipt of the State Chapter’s letter requesting an appeal.
4. The Appeals Board shall consist of the following: the Executive Director and three other members. The three other members shall be a member of a Board of Directors of three State Chapters not involved in the appeal.
5. The Appeal Board must hold a hearing within thirty (30) days of the establishment.
6. A representative of the member of State Chapter lodging the appeal may be present to present the member’s case or to present any additional information that may be pertinent.
7. The decision of the Appeals Board shall be final. The reasons for their decision shall be sent to the Board of Directors of the National Federation within fifteen (15) days of the date of the herein.
8. The member State Chapter shall pay the expenses (travel, room and board) of the Appeals Board.

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