Charter schools vote to be accredited

Utah's charter schools, grades kindergarten through eight, are now required to be officially accredited through Northwest Association of Accredited Schools.

The State Charter School Board voted unanimously to implement the requirement Thursday afternoon.

Proposed charter schools applying for approval must include the accreditation application. Schools already approved but not accredited must begin the accreditation process by fall 2010. Accredited charter schools must maintain that status.

The board, however, emphasized accreditation will not replace a charter school's obligation to abide by their charter and also to answer to state charter education leaders.

"It doesn't change our responsibility to make sure they are living up to the goals they set for themselves in the charter," said State Charter Board president Brian Allen.

Previously, there was some talk of having state charter school staff do the accreditation.

Tom Morgan, chairman of the State Charter Board's accountability committee, said he would see that as a conflict of interest.

"It's tough to be a cheerleader for our schools ... while at the same time having the responsibility, from an accountability perspective, to go in and look for weakness," Morgan said. "I like the third-party validation."

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 12 are required to be accredited through Northwest.

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.

E-mail: astewart@desnews.com