Educational Programs in Nonpublic Schools

Table of Contents

.01 Purpose and Scope
A.  Purpose
B.  Certificate of Approval required
C.  Certificate of Approval not required when Legal Authority is a bona fide church organization
D.  Requirements for licensed child care centers
E.  Distance learning
F.  Exceptions to requirement to hold a Certificate of Approval

.02 Definitions

.03 Certificate of Approval for the Educational Program
A.  Application for a Certificate of Approval
B.  Certificate of Approval issuance
C.  Specifications on the Certificate of Approval
D.  School operation consistent with specifications on Certificate of Approval
E.  Posting the Certificate of Approval
F.  Requirements for approval of change(s) in school operation
G.  Conditions under which a change in operation may not be requested
H.  Exception to .03G.
I.   Approval required prior to implementation of change(s)
J.   Certificate of Approval may not be sold, transferred, or altered
K.   Written notification before school ceases operation
L.   Conditions under which Certificate of Approval becomes null and void
M.  Return of Certificate of Approval to MSDE 

.04 Compliance
A.  Compliance required to maintain Certificate of Approval
B.  Certifications and documentation required to be submitted
C.  Annual Report
D.  School open for inspection
E.  Notice of noncompliance
F.  Notice of continuing noncompliance
G.  Noncompliant Legal Authority may not open another school
H.  Nondiscrimination
I.   Criminal Background Check
J.   Child Abuse Reporting
K.   Scoliosis Screening

.05 Statement of Purposes

.06 Personnel Requirements
A.  Administrative Head
B.  Teachers
C.  Written statement of teacher qualifications

.07 Educational Program
A.  Program
B.  Instructional materials and equipment
C.  Library media collection
D.  Ratio of students to teachers or average class size

.08 Student Records for Nursery Schools, Kindergartens, and Elementary Schools
A.  Cumulative student record
B.  Information required on cumulative student record

.09 Requirements for Secondary Schools
A.  Credits required for graduation
B.  Written policy regarding credits required for graduation
C.  Definition of a unit of credit
D.  Transcript
E.  Diploma

.10 Administrative Practices
A.  Schedule of the school day
B.  Calendar of the school year
C.  Admissions
D.  Public relations information

.11 Health, Fire Safety, and Zoning
A.  Health, fire safety, and zoning approvals required
B.  School operation prohibited in the living space of a private residence

.12 Procedures and Sanctions for Noncompliance
A.  Circumstances under which the Department implements sanctions for noncompliance
B.  Circumstances under which State Board issues written notice of deficiencies
C.  Provision for hearing request
D.  Consequences of failure to correct deficiencies
E.  Consequences of adverse State Board finding at hearing
F.  Right to Judicial Review

.13 Schools Serving Students with Special Education Needs