Charter officials discuss accreditation rules

Utah's charter schools, grades kindergarten through eight, may soon be required to be officially accredited if some charter education leaders have their way.

"We ought to stand up and be accountable for who we are and what we're doing," said Tom Morgan, chairman of the State Charter School Board's accountability committee.

"It will very much increase our credibility in the charter community," Morgan said. "It makes sense for us. Let's make it happen."

Challenges to the proposal, however, include cost of accreditation application and fees, as well as state education staff availability to handle the extra workload.

Accreditation status can be based on a number of factors including curriculum, counselor-to-student ratio and assessment. The process generally includes a site visit.

Right now charter schools grades nine through twelve are required to be accredited. They use the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools.

The State Board of Education requires district schools in Utah that grant credit toward high school graduation and/or diplomas be accredited by Northwest. Middle level and junior high schools are accredited by the state education office using a mix of Northwest and state standards.

State Board of Education member Janet Cannon, charter school liaison, is giving the charter accreditation proposal a big thumbs up. "In terms of giving charter schools some education credibility, I think it is a powerful idea," she said.

Currently K-8 charter schools are simply given an in-house accreditation-type review by state charter school officials.

The State Charter Board could require all its K-8 schools to be officially accredited by a third party, or just require the rule of newly accepted K-8 schools.

The state education office handles the accreditation report process. Whether that office could handle more responsibilities is yet to be seen, in light of looming budget cuts that may result in eliminating office positions or employees.

Northwest charges $100 for an application fee. Membership fees are $250 for elementary; $350 for middle levels; and $450 for high schools and K-12 schools. The fees require an additional 17 cents per student. Schools must also pay for the accreditors' travel and lodging. Accreditation can be done in cycles of three to six years.

Morgan says he feels the costs are "minimal" when looking at the benefits. He points out some agencies charge more than Northwest.

But in the current budget crisis, every penny is being scrutinized. The proposal could come before the State Charter Board within the next few months.

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