AISA
AISA REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL
MEMBER SCHOOLS
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All
AISA accredited schools are expected to meet standards of compliance in the
following broad areas: corporate operations; funding; plant and
facilities; safe environment; curricular programs; extra-curricular programs;
instructor credentials; technology opportunities; and school improvement.
Specific AISA Requirements:
1. Comply with all applicable federal and state laws.
2. Comply with all AISA requirements as outlined in the AISA manuals.*
(AISA By-Laws, AISA Accreditation Standards Manual, AISA Athletic Manual, AISA Academic Manual)
3. Maintain all necessary and legally required insurance and payroll programs.
4. Meet all financial obligations to the association.
5. All schools are required to participate in the AISA Student Catastrophe Insurance plan. The Student Base Plan is available as an optional plan.
6. Governing boards adhere to the Corporate Charter, By-Laws and amendments, as they determine, integrate and coordinate policies which define the corporation's/school’s purpose and function.
7. The governing board develops policies, funds the total school program, and hires the school’s chief administrator.
8. The head administrator directs and superintends the daily operations of the school as listed in the AISA Accreditation Standards Manual..
Specific AISA accreditation standards include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Provide a six (6) hour instructional day for all students.
2. Provide a minimum of 175 full days of instruction per year. Provide the AISA office a school calendar.
3. Comply with the state of Alabama and AISA curriculum requirements for graduation/earning credits for a Standard and/or Advanced Diploma.
4. Follow AISA requirements for student entrance requirements regarding age, grade placement, and temporary grade placement of students from home school, non traditional and non-accredited programs.
5. Provide the AISA office a monthly attendance report.
6. Provide a curriculum that meets and/or exceeds the Alabama Code requirements. Curriculum guides are required for every subject/grade level. SAT and other standardized testing skills imbedded in guides.
7. Maintain a qualified and degreed instructional staff. Provide the AISA a Professional Personnel Report.
8. There must be at least one teacher per grade.
9. All head and full time administrators are required to participate in the AISA Administrators’ Workshop. Please refer to the AISA Accreditation Manual.
10. Test all students in grades 2, 4, 6 and 8 using SAT 10 and OLSAT 8.
11. There must be adequate space, buildings, grounds, and facilities to accommodate the curriculum offered.
12. Member schools participating in the AISA athletic program are required to follow all policies and guidelines as written in the AISA Athletic Manual and provide the AISA all required reports.
13. Conduct a school improvement self-study and host a peer review visit every five years.
14. Develop a school technology plan and review annually progress in technology.
15. Develop and review annually short term and long term goals for facilities.
16. Provide the AISA office on time all required reports and forms relating to AISA programs.
17. Attend all required AISA meetings. All schools are required to have a representative at the AISA Annual Meeting of School Heads and the State Board. All schools are required to have a representative at the Annual Coaches Meeting.
AISA Accreditation Standards Manual
*AISA standards have been closely aligned with Alabama
State School Code and Southern Association standards. The Board of Directors
agrees that if any member has
received accreditation in the past five years from the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools (SACS) or National Council for Private School Accreditation
(NCPSA) accrediting agencies, the AISA will honor that accreditation. For
accreditation by one of the identified organizations to be honored by AISA, the
school must follow AISA requirements and/or the State School Code in
administrative practices and core curriculum requirements. In addition,
these schools will receive an administrative visit from the AISA at least once
every five years. At the time of this revision of AISA standards, state
accreditation is not possible for independent schools in Alabama. AISA/SACS
accredited schools following the NCPSA/SACS Accreditation Agreement must meet
all required AISA and SACS standards. AISA member schools following the NCPSA/SACS
Cooperative Accreditation Agreement and accredited by SACS beginning with the
2003-2004 school year will have a joint accreditation visit by AISA and SACS as
established by the cooperative agreement and will follow a five year
accreditation cycle.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Alabama Independent School Association’s mission is to serve independent schools in the state of Alabama by providing its member schools with educational and corporate services and programs focusing on excellent in academics, accreditation, and athletics. Member schools have voluntarily joined the AISA and follow the guidelines and standards in order to provide a quality school program.
NOTICE TO PARENTS AND
OTHERS
REGARDING AISA’S RESPONSIBILITY TO MEMBER SCHOOLS
The Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) has served independent schools since 1970 by focusing on excellence in academics, athletics, and accreditation and providing member schools and students with services, and programs. Member schools have voluntarily joined the AISA and follow the guidelines and standards in order to provide an effective school program.
All complaints concerning a school’s local decisions should be made at the school level (i.e. teacher/administrator/board). The AISA office will not interfere in the daily operations of the school. Complaints by parents and teachers concerning local decisions will be referred to the school administrator. In order to meet the AISA’s obligations and responsibilities to our member schools, parents and others with concerns should direct inquiries to their school.
The Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) acknowledges that an essential characteristic of every member school is its independence. Furthermore, the Association has no desire ever to diminish individual school autonomy.
September 3, 2003
To: All Headmasters, Athletic Directors, Coaches, Faculty and Staff
From: Don Oswald, AISA Executive Director
Re: AISA Interpretations/Rulings/Opinions
Verbal opinions/statements by the AISA staff on interpretations/rulings/opinions concerning academic, accreditation, and athletic matters are unofficial. A verbal opinion or statement by the AISA office is not an official ruling!
The AISA office receives numerous questions concerning academic, accreditation, and athletic matters. We attempt to answer according to the information provided over the phone. Unfortunately, there are times we do not receive the “full story”. Official rulings are made in writing only after the appropriate procedure is followed. This helps us all be on the “same page”. Verbal opinions are not official!
Official rulings/interpretations/opinions are given after a written request by the school administrator is provided the AISA office with all the facts and documentation. Action taken may include official rulings/opinions, investigation of a policy, and/or sanctions for violations/infractions of rules and policies.
After reviewing/investigating the written request, school documentation and applicable standards/policies, the AISA office will respond in writing to the school administrator. Any sanctions placed on a school by the AISA Executive Director for academic, accreditation, and athletic standard and/or policy violation will only be made after concerned parties are provided the opportunity to provide a written response. Schools receiving sanctions may appeal to the appropriate committee (accreditation/athletic).
Remember: The AISA staff welcomes your calls for advice, but our opinions are based on our conversation. A verbal opinion or statement by the AISA office is not an official ruling.