La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § LXXIX-107

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section LXXIX-107 - School Approval

A. In order to benefit from state and federal funds, each approved school shall meet and maintain the following standards:

1. the school must have a state approval classification;

2. the school must be in compliance with Brumfield vs. Dodd; and

3. the school must be a nonprofit institutional day or residential school that provides elementary education, secondary education, or both.

B. This requirement applies to schools submitting an initial application for school approval and schools which are currently approved.

C. Each state-approved nonpublic school receiving state and/or federal funds shall permit all colleges, universities and branches of the military to have equal access to the schools for the purpose of recruitment.

D. When applying to the state Department of Education (LDE) for a classification category, all nonpublic schools seeking state approval shall include all grades/programs taught at the school.

E. Classification Categories. Schools shall be classified according to the following categories:

1.approved (A)-school meets all standards specified for approval of nonpublic schools. There shall be two types of approved schools:

a.accredited approved school-school is currently accredited by:

i. the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC);

ii. a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS);

iii. the diocese or archdiocese in which the school is located; or

iv. Cognia.

v. The LDOE may also accept accreditation from other school accreditation agencies, but may require that the school submit additional information or documentation to ensure consistent quality.

vi. The school meets all other criteria for BESE approval in accordance with this Part.

b.non-accredited approved school- school is not currently accredited by SACS or a member of NAIS, but has met all criteria established by this bulletin for approval;

c.Louisiana Montessori accredited approved school- school meets the Louisiana Montessori Association's accreditation requirements and all other approval criteria established by this bulletin for Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) approval;

d.Louisiana Montessori provisionally accredited approved school- school is working toward meeting the Louisiana Montessori Association's accreditation requirements and has met all other approval criteria established by this bulletin for Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) approval;

2.registered-school is not accredited by SACS or NAIS and has not met the criteria established by the department for approval, or does not wish to seek state approval.

F. Accredited schools shall be approved by BESE for the duration of such accreditation, up to five years. BESE approval shall be reviewed in the school year following the renewal of such accreditation. Each accredited, approved school shall annually demonstrate to the LDE that the school meets the health, safety, and welfare requirements as established in this bulletin. Additionally, each accredited, approved high school shall annually demonstrate to the LDE that it is providing an appropriate four year course of study.

G. The LDE shall conduct an annual review of non-accredited schools seeking approval, and shall recommend to BESE whether such approval should be granted. Any such LDE review may include site visits, and shall include a review of the following:

1. academic quality, including:

a. the school's purpose and direction;

b. the school's leadership;

c. the school's instructional practices;

d. the school's curriculum; and

2. student health, safety, and welfare, pursuant to the guidelines established in this bulletin.

H. The LDE shall submit to BESE a yearly report recommending the classification status of the nonpublic schools in accordance with the nonpublic school standards.

I. After the annual school reports are submitted by the state Department of Education (LDE) to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for approval, all nonpublic schools seeking to change their classification category must submit their request to the BESE. BESE may, upon the recommendation of the department that standards have been met for the desired approval status, change the classification of a nonpublic school.

J. BESE may revoke any nonpublic school's approval at any time if it determines that the health, safety, or welfare of students has been jeopardized.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § LXXIX-107

Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 29:2342 (November 2003), amended LR 31:3073 (December 2005), LR 36:2847 (December 2010), LR 37:2145 (July 2011), LR 39:306 (February 2013), LR 39:1438 (June 2013), LR 39:3070 (November 2013), Amended LR 50174 (2/1/2024).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:6 and R.S. 17:4021.