511 IAC 6.1-9-4 Recognition procedures

Sec. 4. (a) A nonpublic school seeking recognition must participate in the ISTEP testing program under IC 20-32-5 and 511 IAC 5-2. The school must inform the department of its intention to seek recognition on or before July 1 of the school year in which the school seeks recognition. A recognized nonpublic school seeking renewal of its recognition must notify the department of its intention to seek renewal on or before July 1 of the year preceding the expiration of its recognition. (b) The department shall inform each nonpublic school seeking recognition of its expected performance levels in the criteria under section 3(a)(2) of this rule [sic., section 3(2) of this rule]. (c) A school's expected performance level in each of the criteria under section 3(2) of this rule shall be determined in a manner based on the computation under 511 IAC 6.1-1-5(b). (d) In lieu of participating in the ISTEP testing program, a nonpublic school may request that the board approve use of another test instrument to determine if the school has met its expected performance levels. The nonpublic school must validate the selected test and establish, to the satisfaction of the board, that the test and the minimum performance expectation are appropriate substitutes for ISTEP. (e) The department shall: (1) collect from each school the information collected under 511 IAC 6.1-1-5(c); (2) compare the information collected under subdivision (1) with the school's expected performance levels in the criteria under section 3(2) of this rule; (3) collect from each school documentation verifying the school's compliance with the standards listed in sections 7 through 11 of this rule; and (4) review the documentation under subdivision (3) to determine if the school has met all standards. (f) If the department determines that a school meets the recognition requirements under section 3 of this rule, the board shall accord the school recognized status. (g) Recognition is valid for five (5) years but may be revoked for cause under section 5 of this rule.