New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Commission on American and International Schools Abroad (CAISA)

CAISA Policies

The CAISA Commission and NEASC have established specific policies to assist schools that are seeking accreditation.  These policies were designed to make the school aware of the procedures available to them and and also outlining what is expected of them during the accreditation cycle.

THE CAISA MISSION:

The mission of the Commission on American and International Schools Abroad (CAISA) is to ensure and promote high quality education for students by developing and applying standards which are used to  assess the effectiveness of American and international schools operating outside the United States.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES:

The Board of Trustees shall have the overall responsibility for matters which relate to institutional accreditation. Only the Board may make decisions on: 

  • Award of initial accreditation
  • Denial of initial accreditation
  • Award of Candidacy for Accreditation
  • Denial of Candidacy for Accreditation
  • Termination of Accreditation
  • Placement of school on probation
  • Removal of school from accreditation
  • The Board shall delegate all other matters concerning member and Candidate institutions to the Commission on American and International Schools Abroad (CAISA).

ETHICAL PRACTICES

Schools accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges are expected to operate in the public interest and in accordance with ethical practices with respect to the rights and responsibilities of faculty, students, administrators, board members and all others related to the school.

JURISDICTION OF CAISA

CAISA shall have jurisdiction over all Association members and Candidate schools located beyond the continental limits of the United States.

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CANDIDACY FOR ACCREDITATION

Candidacy for Accreditation is a temporary status during which time a school must prepare for an evaluation visit.  An institution admitted to this category is entitled to make public its Candidate status in its publications, correspondence and student transcripts.  Candidate schools are listed in the Association's Roster of Membership.

Schools wishing to be accredited by NEASC through CAISA must:

  • Use English as a primary language of instruction and communication throughout the school.
  • Demonstrate the international nature of the school through a mission which includes creating international citizens, through demographics of the student body and staff, and through the co-curricular experiences and programs offered.
  • Provide a curriculum which in content, design, implementation, and assessment reflects best practices in American and international education.
  • Prepare students to be able to transfer to similar schools worldwide or, upon graduation, to enter colleges and universities where English is the primary medium of instruction.
  • Have several years of operating history.
  • Located outside the United States.

Schools applying for membership in NEASC through CAISA must:

  • Commit to meeting established standards.
  • Commit to a process of self-evaluation, peer review, and on-going systematic improvement, utilizing CAISA’s standards.
  • Be willing to host a preliminary visit to assess the school’s readiness for the self-study process leading to accreditation.
  • Be able to host a visiting team appointed by CAISA so as to ensure peer review.
  • Have basic guiding documents (faculty handbook, student handbook, written curriculum, employment contracts, staff evaluation procedures, governing board policies, and job descriptions).
  • Upon application, and later upon request, submit an independent audit, current budget, and most recent management letter in English.
  • Commit to acting within the spirits of the ideals and principles enunciated in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  • Be willing to release faculty members and other personnel to serve on visiting teams for accreditation visits to other similar schools.

DENIAL OF CANDIDACY FOR ACCREDITATION

If, after a school has submitted an Application for Candidacy for Accreditation, CAISA determines that it should recommend to the Board of Trustees that the school be denied Candidacy, the school shall be given the opportunity to show cause why such a CAISA recommendation should not be made.  CAISA shall allow a reasonable time for the school to make its response.

LENGTH OF ACCREDITATION

Accreditation shall not be awarded to a school for a finite period of time. Accreditation shall continue only until CAISA’s consideration of the school’s next report.

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INITIAL ACCREDITATION

Schools seeking initial accreditation through CAISA must first apply as a Candidate for Accreditation.  The school must request to be evaluated before or during the final year of Candidacy. 

DATE OF INITIAL ACCREDITATION

The date of a school's initial accreditation shall be retroactive to the last day of the evaluation visit.

DENIAL OF INITIAL ACCREDITATION

If, after a school has undergone an evaluation for initial accreditation, CAISA determines that it should recommend to the Board of Trustees that the school be denied accreditation, the school shall be given the opportunity to show cause why such recommendation should not be made.

CAISA shall establish a reasonable time for the school to respond to CAISA concerns.

If the school is denied initial accreditation by the Board of Trustees and wishes to be reconsidered for accreditation on the basis of the evaluation report, it may do so within three years from the time of evaluation by submitting special report(s) which address recommendations of CAISA and the visiting team.

SUBMISSION OF REQUIRED REPORTS AND DOCUMENTS

Routine reports are required of member institutions.  First Reports, Five-Year Reports and Preparatory Reports, usually followed by a school visit by a CAISA representative(s), are routine requirements of member institutions.

Special reports and/or special visits by CAISA representatives may be requested of member schools to provide additional information on matters relating to accreditation or reports of substantive change.

Member schools are also required to submit other documents to include: 

  • a Request for Evaluation, due by June 15th of the eighth year of the school's decennial cycle,
  • annual reports noting school enrollment, grade structure and any substantive change not previously reported.

Failure to submit a required report or other documents is sufficient cause for the CAISA to recommend that a school be dropped from membership. 

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SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE

Directors of member schools must report to the CAISA within sixty (60) days of occurrence any substantive change relating to CAISA's Standards for Accreditation which takes place in the school or affects the school.  Examples include any significant change in: 

  • the position of the Head of School
  • the Governance structure
  • available programs, including fine arts and student activities
  • available facilities, including upkeep and maintenance
  • level of funding
  • administrative structure, including the number of administrators and supervisors
  • student enrollment
  • grades served by the school,
  • the student population that causes program or staffing modification(s) such as the number of special needs students and students with limited English proficiency
  • additional grades not yet accredited

ADDITIONAL GRADES

A school already in accredited status may decide to add additional grades in the school.  If so, and after the additional grade has been in place for two years, the school must notify CAISA, write a special report, and host an evaluator(s).

After CAISA receives a report from an already accredited school requesting accreditation for additional grades, which have been in place for two years, and after CAISA has sent a representative and received a report from the representative, CAISA may then:

  • Grant accreditation for the additional grades;
  • Defer accreditation, request more information;
  • Defer accreditation, request more information, and schedule a special visit

The report of a substantive change must describe the circumstances and detail any impact which the change has had on the quality of education in the school.

WARNING

If CAISA determines that an institution has pursued a course deviating from CAISA policies or Standards for Accreditation to an extent that gives concern to CAISA, it may issue a warning to the institution to correct its deficiencies, refrain from certain activities, or initiate certain activities within a stated period of time.  A warning does not affect the Candidate or accredited status of the institution.

The CAISA shall stipulate a reasonable period of time for the school to respond to its concerns.

SHOW CAUSE

When CAISA determines that it should forward an adverse recommendation (probation, or termination or denial of accreditation) to the Board of Trustees, the school shall be given reasonable time to show cause why such a CAISA recommendation should not be made.

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PROBATION

At its discretion, CAISA may recommend that a member school be placed on probation for a period of time prior to termination of accreditation.  Schools on probation remain accredited by the Association while attempting to resolve the problems which CAISA has identified.  If, at the end of the probationary period, the school has not made reasonable progress to resolve the cause of its probation, CAISA may recommend termination of accreditation.  If either probation or termination is recommended, the school may invoke the appeals procedure established by the Association

TERMINATION OF ACCREDITATION

A school's accreditation may be terminated for failure to:

  • comply with any of the CAISA's Standards for Accreditation,
  • meet eligibility requirements for American/International schools,
  • undergo an evaluation within its decennial cycle,
  • submit a required report,
  • pay established dues or fees,
  • adhere to CAISA's accreditation policies

REINSTATEMENT OF ACCREDITATION

Schools seeking reinstatement of accreditation are required to submit a written report including all pertinent information to CAISA.  Upon receipt of such information, CAISA shall schedule a focused visit of Commission representatives.  Following review of the report of the visit, CAISA may deny the request, recommend that accreditation be reinstated, or require that the school seek status as a Candidate for Accreditation. 

SCHOOLS ACCREDITED BY OTHER REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Schools accredited by another United States regional accrediting association that wish to seek accreditation with NEASC through CAISA must:

  • Notify current regional accrediting organization in a timely fashion of intention to apply for accreditation with NEASC,
  • Attest in writing to NEASC that the school is in good standing with the other association and must not have been on warning, probation, or similar status, or provide contrary justification for the adverse action,
  • Provide the NEASC office with all written material that is most recent from  current  accrediting association, i.e. mot recent Self-Study, Visiting Team Report, Association response, etc.
  • Upon receipt of the written material, agree to a visitor from NEASC who will make a recommendation to CAISA regarding the school’s request.

If accreditation is recommended and granted, the school remains in NEASC accredited status for the duration of the accrediting cycle of the previous association, and then enters the normal CAISA accreditation cycle.

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SELF-STUDY

The self-study for the purpose of accreditation must involve the entire professional staff of the school.  All grades and programs in the school or section under the jurisdiction of the director must be included in the self-study and shall be evaluated by the visiting team.  Each subCommission report prepared for the visiting team must first be accepted by vote of the school's professional staff.

DISTRIBUTION, USE AND SCOPE OF EVALUATION REPORT

CAISA considers a school's evaluation report to be a privileged document that it submits to the director of the school.  Distribution of the report within the school community is the responsibility of the director.

The prime concern of the evaluation team is to assess the quality of the schools educational program in terms of student needs, the school's philosophy and goals and the CAISA's Standards for Accreditation.  Neither the evaluation report nor any of its subsections is to be considered an evaluation of an individual, but rather a professional appraisal of the school as it appeared to the visiting team.

CAISA OWNERSHIP OF EVALUATION REPORT

Members of visiting teams serve as agents of CAISA during their service in evaluated schools. The draft copy which they prepare for CAISA consideration may not be shared with the school.

CAISA shall review the draft and prepare the final evaluation report, making whatever deletions or revisions it deems prudent. The Commission shall then send the report to the evaluated school for distribution to its constituencies, and for use in the school’s follow-up activities.

If the school chooses to produce an abbreviated version of the final evaluation report for public release, that version must be an accurate reflection of the final report and must include the major recommendations and commendations in the report. Copies of any such versions must be submitted to CAISA.

The evaluation report shall remain the property of CAISA.

SPECIAL VISITS

CAISA may send a small visiting team to evaluate a school's compliance with one or more of the Standards for Accreditation at a time other than the normal decennial evaluation.  The cost of travel, lodging and meals for the team shall be borne by the evaluated school.

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COMMISSION MEETINGS

CAISA shall hold meetings in The Fall, winter and spring which are open to CAISA members, Association officers and staff, and invited guests.  The Commission may hold additional meetings to carry out its responsibilities.

QUORUM

In order for CAISA to act on business at its meetings, there shall be a quorum of two-thirds of the CAISA membership.

ATTENDANCE AT COMMISSION MEETINGS

Attendance at CAISA meetings is imperative since each Commission member shall be assigned specific responsibilities as a resource person for reports to be reviewed at its meetings.

ABSTENTION FROM VOTING

During CAISA meetings no CAISA member shall vote on, or participate in discussion of, matters affecting any school in which the member has a professional affiliation.  In other instances in which a conflict of interest might exist, CAISA members shall exercise appropriate discretion.

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

CAISA meetings shall be conducted in accordance with parliamentary procedure as delineated in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

DUTIES OF CAISA CHAIR

The CAISA chair shall serve for one year beginning at the conclusion of the Associations annual business meeting.  The chair's duties are to:

  • prepare with the CAISA staff the agenda for CAISA meetings,
  • preside over CAISA meetings,
  • present the chair's report at CAISA meetings,
  • appoint, after consultation with CAISA staff, any standing Commissions,
  • represent CAISA at meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Association,
  • make decisions on issues which require action between CAISA meetings.

VISITING TEAM CHAIRS’ RECOMMENDATION ON ACCREDITATION

Chairs of visiting teams shall record their own recommendation on accreditation and add any comment regarding the school or the evaluation which can help CAISA in determining a recommendation on accreditation.  The chair of the visiting team shall note all those commendations and recommendations which should be brought to CAISA’s attention.

VISITING TEAM VOTE ON ACCREDITATION

Each visiting team member shall vote by secret ballot to recommend initial or continued accreditation, probation, termination or show cause status.

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MAINTENANCE OF SCHOOL RECORDS

CAISA shall retain in its office all records, reports, and communications relating to each member school since its last evaluation.  All other records may be destroyed.

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

The staff of CAISA shall make available certain information on those schools which are members of the Association, are Candidates for Accreditation, or have sought accreditation.  The specific information to be provided relates to school data, and pertinent Board of Trustees and CAISA actions.

School Data

The following information is published in the Association's annual Roster:

  • Name and mailing address of member and Candidate schools
  • Date of initial accreditation
  • Date of last evaluation
  • Grades in school
  • Chief administrative officer of the school
  • Any probationary status
  • Any interruption of accreditation

Board of Trustee Actions

Boards of Trustee decisions are made public through news releases after each Board of Trustee meeting.  Those decisions include actions on accreditation, probation, termination and Candidacy for Accreditation. 

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REPORT OPTIONS

CAISA shall hold three meetings throughout the year which are open to CAISA members, Association officers and staff, and invited guests. The Commission may hold additional meetings to carry out its responsibilities.  CAISA has a number of options including, but not limited to:

Preliminary Report

A school applying for Candidacy for Accreditation will submit a Preliminary Report, detailing its compliance with CAISA’s Standards for Accreditation. The report will be followed by a school visit by CAISA representative(s). CAISA may then: 

  • Recommend Candidacy for Accreditation;
  • Defer Candidacy, request more information;
  • Defer Candidacy, request more information, schedule special visit; or
  • Request that the school show cause why CAISA should not recommend that the Board of Trustees deny Candidacy for Accreditation.

Preparatory Report

Prior to the beginning of the decennial evaluation cycle, a school will submit a Preparatory Report, indicating its readiness to undergo a self-study and host a CAISA visiting team. The report will be followed by a school visit by CAISA representative(s). CAISA may then:

  • Direct the school to begin its self-study,
  • Postpone self-study, request more information,
  • Postpone self-study, request more information, schedule special visit.
  • Place school on warning, request more information, schedule special visit. 

Evaluation Report

The visiting team will submit its evaluation report, containing its judgments on the school’s compliance with CAISA Standards for Accreditation. The team will provide a recommendation on the school’s accreditation status. CAISA may then: 

  • Recommend initial accreditation until next report;
  • Defer consideration, request more information;
  • Defer consideration, request more information, schedule special visit;
  • Continue accreditation until next report;
  • Continue accreditation, request special report;
  • Continue accreditation, request special report, schedule special visit;
  • Continue accreditation, place on Warning, request special report, schedule special visit; or
  • Continue accreditation, request show cause letter, schedule special visit.

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First Report

The routine First Report, which follows an evaluation, will indicate the school’s response to each visiting team recommendation with special emphasis on those items highlighted in CAISA’s notification letter. CAISA may then:

  • Continue accreditation until next report;
  • Continue accreditation, request special report;
  • Continue accreditation, request special report, schedule special visit;
  • Continue accreditation, place on warning, request special report, schedule special visit;
  • Continue accreditation, request show cause letter, schedule special visit;
  • Continue accreditation, place on warning, request special report, schedule special visit; or
  • Continue accreditation, request show cause letter, schedule special visit.

Five-Year Report

The routine Five-Year Report will indicate the status of all visiting team recommendations with particular emphasis on those items highlighted in the last notification letter to the school. CAISA may then:

  • Continue accreditation until next report;
  • Continue accreditation, request special report;
  • Continue accreditation, request special report, schedule special visit;
  • Continue accreditation, place on warning, request special report, schedule special visit;
  • Continue accreditation, request show cause letter, schedule special visit; 
  • Continue accreditation, place on warning, request special report, schedule special visit,
  • Continue accreditation, request show cause letter, schedule special visit.

Special Report

CAISA may request a special report at any time in the decennial evaluation cycle. The school will provide requested information and may have been asked to host CAISA representative(s) to corroborate the report. CAISA may then:

  • Recommend initial accreditation or continue accreditation until next report;
  • Continue accreditation, request additional information;
  • Continue accreditation, request additional information, schedule special visit; 
  • Continue accreditation, place on warning, request special report, schedule special visit; or
  • Continue accreditation, request show cause letter, schedule special visit. 

Special Report (Warning)

CAISA’s warning letter indicates that the school has deviated or may soon deviate from CAISA’s Standards of Accreditation. The school will be asked to submit additional information and host special visitor(s). CAISA may then:

  • Continue accreditation until next report, remove school from warning status;
  • Continue accreditation, remove school from warning status, request special report;
  • Continue accreditation, request additional information, schedule special visit;
  • Continue accreditation, request show cause letter, schedule special visit.

Special Report (Show Cause)

CAISA’s notification letter will ask to school to show cause why it should not be placed on probation or have its accreditation terminated. The school shall provide requested information and shall host CAISA representative(s). CAISA may then:

  • Continue accreditation until next report;
  • Continue accreditation, request additional information; 
  • Continue accreditation, request additional information, schedule special visit; or
  • Recommend that the Board of Trustees take an adverse action (probation or termination.)
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