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            ACCREDITATION  

WHY SEEK ACCREDITATION?

• Accreditation provides recognized credibility for schools in the eyes of the public. Accreditation represents recognition of the quality of a school program to other educational institutions, prospective students, foundations, legislators, alumni and the general public.

• Accreditation provides outside validation that a school has met certain basic standards, is actively seeking a quality education program, and is committed to ongoing improvement.

• Accreditation assures the public that the school program and organization will periodically undergo an intensive self-evaluation by the school community and a review by educators who are not affiliated with the school.

• Accreditation provides a practical framework whereby a school can reflect on its past, investigate its present, and purposely strategize where it desires to be in the future; the framework fundamentally provides the school opportunities to continuously upgrade and improve their educational program.

• Accreditation makes a public statement that the school is committed to quality education, is willing to be measured against standards, and is willing to engage in strategic improvement activities. 

• Accreditation provides a network of educational relationships, whereby the exchange of ideas and methods to better meet the needs of students can be developed and shared.

• Accreditation provides the school with an objective outside viewpoint which may be necessary in addressing long-standing issues and concerns.

• Accreditation facilitates an intensive self-evaluation process whereby improvement in staff communication and cohesiveness has been a consistent result.

• Accreditation provides an opportunity to highlight the many excellent accomplishments of the school and its students.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR ACCREDITATION

• Schools are evaluated in terms of standards established by the Association.

• A school is evaluated in terms of its own mission and philosophy, recognizing that individual differences exist among schools and communities.

• A school is evaluated upon the basis of the total identity as an institution of learning.  While it seems necessary that a school be judged in terms of its particular characteristics, it is recognized that variations will appear in the degree of success achieved.

• A school's curriculum and professional standards should be stimulating and conducive to educational growth.  They  must be guides for continuous self-evaluation and should provide the incentive to strive constantly toward high goals of achievement.

BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS

• Status of an Accredited School recognized by the State of Minnesota and the National Federation of Nonpublic School Accrediting Associations.

• Voting rights in MNSAA Board of Directors elections and in determining changes to By-Laws.

• A copy of the Accredit-Memo published quarterly containing membership, professional, legal, and policy information and updates.

• A copy of the MNSAA Handbook and supplementary updates.

• Free registration for the Orientation, Renewal and Annual Report Workshops.

• Participation in the MNSAA Annual Conference which provides an opportunity for school administrators to gather and explore current educational topics and trends and learn more about accreditation.

• Opportunities to participate in a variety of educational experiences and activities of the MNSAA.