Recognizing Accrediting Entities for Preschools and Nursery Schools
Resolution Number 1999-9
October 28, 1999
WHEREAS, House Bill 2205, adopted by the 1999 Session of the General Assembly, addressed the exemption of certain preschool or nursery school programs from the requirements of licensure; and
WHEREAS, the bill amended sections 63.1-196.001 and 63.1-196.3:1 of the Code of Virginia by adding to the exemption from licensure those preschool or nursery school programs operated by private schools that meet the accrediting criteria of any of the following accrediting entities, if the entity is recognized by the Board of Education:
- The National Association for the Education of Young Children’s National Academy of Early Childhood Programs;
- The Association of Christian Schools International;
- The National Early Childhood Program Accreditation;
- The National Accreditation Council for Early Childhood Professional Personnel and Programs;
- The International Academy for Private Education;
- The Standards for the American Montessori Society Accreditation;
- The International Accreditation and Certification of Childhood Educators, Programs, and Trainers; or
- The National Accreditation Commission;
WHEREAS, as a result of this recent legislation, the Board was directed to develop a process for recognizing these eight accrediting entities; and
WHEREAS, in July 1999, the President of the Board of Education appointed a Committee to undertake a study of the issues addressed in House Bill 2205 and to make recommendations to the Board for appropriate actions in order that the Board may comply with the requirements of this bill; and
WHEREAS, as a result of its study, the Committee reaffirms its agreement between the Board and VCPE in 1985 and the resolution of the Board of Education as adopted in 1993, which established the following policy:
“… The Board recognizes the accrediting process for nonpublic elementary and secondary schools as administered through the Commission on Accreditation of the Virginia Council for Private Education (VCPE) primarily for the purpose of public school acceptance of credits earned by students who attended such schools when they transfer to public schools and for any other purpose(s) which may, from time to time, be specified by the Code of Virginia or as may be mutually agreed upon by the Board and VCPE; …”
WHEREAS, the Board of Education thus recognizes the Virginia Council for Private Education as the advisory committee for the accreditation of private schools in Virginia;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that in concurrence with the recommendation of and the research conducted by the Virginia Council for Private Education, and with the endorsement of the Committee, the Board of Education shall officially recognize the eight organizations as listed herein for the purpose of accrediting private preschools and nursery schools;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such recognition is intended to satisfy the requirements of and is in keeping with section 63.1-196.001 and 63.1-196.3:1 of the Code of Virginia;
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the patron of House Bill 2205, the leadership of the Virginia Council for Private Education, and to others as deemed appropriate in order that such persons and organizations may be informed of the policy of the Board of Education regarding the process for recognizing accrediting entities for preschools and nursery schools.
Signature:
Kirk T. Schroder, President
Board of Education
Adopted in the Minutes of the Virginia Board of Education
October 28, 1999