Accreditation of public schools - Review process - Adoption of accreditation

67-19-01-44. Accreditation of public schools - Review process - Adoption of accreditation process. 1. The superintendent of public instruction shall contract with a nationally recognized accreditation organization to provide accreditation to public schools at no cost. 2. "State-approved list", for the purpose of this section, means a list of nationally recognized accreditation organizations that meet the criteria determined by the superintendent of public instruction to award accreditation to schools. 3. To be considered for addition to the state-approved list, at a minimum a school accreditation organization shall: a. Be nationally recognized; b. Include standards that require measurable outcomes for student academic achievement, curriculum and instruction, educator qualifications, leadership and governance, student support services, and continuous improvement; and 6 c. Complete and submit the approval request form, including all required documentation and evidence satisfying determined criteria. 4. A school may use the state-provided accreditation option or select an accreditation option from the state-approved list that best aligns to the instructional goals and operational needs of the school. 5. If a school chooses to use a nationally recognized accreditation organization from the state- approved list rather than the state-provided option, the school is responsible for any accreditation-related costs. 6. Within thirty days, the department of public instruction shall review the submitted approval request form and approve or deny the request. If an accreditation organization is approved, it must be added to the state-approved list. 7. The state-approved list must be created and maintained by the department of public instruction, available on the department's website, and shared upon request. 8. The superintendent of public instruction may remove organizations from the state-approved list if they are not in compliance with the determined criteria. 9. The superintendent of public instruction shall periodically review and evaluate the effectiveness of each accreditation option in improving student achievement and school performance. History: Effective October 1, 2016; amended effective October 1, 2025. General Authority: NDCC 15.1-02-04(1), 15.1-02-11 Law Implemented: NDCC 15.1-06-06(1)(d) 7