Nonpublic School Approval Process

Objectives Understand the Nonpublic School Approval Process, including: Purpose Changes from last year Applicant categories Required documents Submitting documents online Completing the Nonpublic School Annual Report through the LEADS portal Timeline Available resources

Purpose Confirm that schools utilize “a curriculum of quality at least equal to that prescribed for similar public schools” Required for state and federal funding Additional accountability measures apply for eligible nonpublic schools that participate in the Louisiana Scholarship Program.

Applicant Categories Category 1: Schools with independent accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) or from an agency recognized by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) *please note – if your school’s accreditation expired in 2014, the LDE requires a new letter proving your accreditation. Category 2: Schools with accreditation from an independent group not listed above Category 3: Schools without accreditation

Requirements: New Schools Category 1: Letter of accreditation Fire & Health/Safety Filings Category 2: Letter of accreditation & accreditation application New Applicant Questionnaire Program of Study (grades 9-12) Faculty & Volunteer Information Sheet Fire & Health/Safety Filings Category 3: New Applicant Questionnaire Program of Study (grades 9-12) Faculty & Volunteer Information Sheet Fire & Health/Safety Filings Brumfield v. Dodd Initial Application +

Requirements: Approved Schools Category 1: Letter of accreditation, if expired Fire & Health Safety Filings Category 2: Returning Applicant Questionnaire Program of Study (grades 9-12) Faculty & Volunteer Information Sheet Fire & Health/Safety Filings Category 3: Returning Applicant Questionnaire Program of Study (grades 9-12) Faculty & Volunteer Information Sheet Fire & Health/Safety Filings Brumfield v. Dodd Compliance Report +

Questionnaire Four Key Areas: 1.Purpose and Direction 2.Leadership 3.Instructional Practices and Technology 4.Academic Standards Category 2 and 3 only: New and returning applicants must complete all sections.

Program of Study (Grades 9-12) Nonpublic Bulletin 741, Chapter 23 High School Program of Studies, section §2301 List courses offered (core curriculum & electives) Required for all Category 2 & 3 applicants who serve grades 9- 12, returning and new.

Faculty & Volunteer Information Sheet A listing of all employees and volunteers working at the school within the past year who have a supervisory role over students o Confirmation that the school completed the legally required background check for each individual o Confirmation that each teacher meets the certification requirements in policy Information submitted may be audited as part of the approval process Required for all Category 2 & 3 applicants, returning and new. New applicants should list all applicable employees and volunteers.

Fire & Health / Safety Filings

Uploading Documents FTP Website: Username: Password: LA!sitecode Example: School with site code Username: Password: LA! Click here to verify your school’s site codehere Schools seeking approval for the 1 st time should documents to

Changing your Password New password must be at least 8 characters and meet the following requirements: - Minimum of 8 characters in length - Minimum of 1 special character - Minimum of 1 numeric character - Cannot use previous 5 passwords

Uploading Documents

2015 Annual Report Returning/Currently Approved Schools only Completed in the LEADS portal Used to determine funding allocations, complete the Annual Financial & Statistical Report, & publish the Louisiana School Directory Tips: To revise school information (grade levels, contact, etc.), complete the Nonpublic School Information Change Form NP- 005, which can be accessed here.here Use Internet Explorer & turn off pop-up blockers

Timeline October 1 October 15 October 15 – November 30 Early December Deadline for New Orleans Scholarship Schools that participate in the OneApp: 1.Brumfield v. Dodd forms 2.Nonpublic School Approval application materials 3.Nonpublic School Annual Report – LEADS portal Deadline for: 1.Brumfield v. Dodd forms 2.Nonpublic School Approval application materials 3.Nonpublic School Annual Report – LEADS portal Application review & site visits LDE presents recommendations to BESE

Nonpublic School Library NPS Library is available herehere NPS Approval Guidelines are available herehere NPS Annual Report User Guide is available herehere Document Submission Access the FTP server herehere Log in to the LEADS portal herehere Nonpublic School Handbook Review Bulletin 741 (nonpublic) herehere Available Resources

Questions? Contact: Questions?