Parental Choice Pre-Accreditation

A school must meet the following pre-accreditation criteria. Please read the criteria, assemble a copy of each documentation item and provide it to WRISA either in hard copy format or uploaded as requested by WRISA. The documents become the property of WRISA.

A.  The school must have Foundational Statements that state its vision/mission and core values. This provides the framework in which the school community defines itself and operates. Each school has its own unique Foundational Statements based on the community it serves and the needs of the learners. The Foundational Statements with their stated vision/mission and core values enable a school to determine whether it is achieving what it has set out to do. [WI Statute 118.165(1)(a); 118.165 (1)(f)]

• The school has current written Foundational Statements.
• Documentation: Copy of vision and/or mission statement, statement of core values.

B.  The school must have a governing board/commission/council in place that formulates the policies of the school.  The school is incorporated. [WI Statute 118.165(1)(b)] The school has a governing board/commission/ council in place that formulates the policies of the school.

• Documentation: Copy of names, addresses, and phone numbers of governing board/commission/council and their positions.
• Documentation: Board Minutes for the most recent full school year, or minutes from school formation meetings.
• Documentation: Copy of Articles of Incorporation.

C.  The school must have a written sequentially progressive curriculum in place that includes the following subjects: language arts including reading, mathematics, science, social studies, and health. (WRISA requirement also includes: physical education, music, the visual arts, and technology.) [WI Statute 118.165(1)(d)] ‘Sequentially progressive curriculum’ is defined as:

1) A separate document for each subject area.

2) Subject areas to be included are: Language Arts, Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Health. For WRISA accreditation, additional subjects include Fine Arts (including Music and the Visual Arts), Physical Education, Technology Education, World Languages, and Cultures.

a) Language Arts must include curricula for reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

b) Specific benchmarks/outcomes for each grade level in each subject area must be provided (simply submitting a copy of the Common Core State Standards is unacceptable).

c) A clear progression of content, skills, and dispositions linking one grade level to the next in each subject area is required.

The school has a written curriculum that includes: language arts (including reading), mathematics, science, social studies, and health.

• Documentation: Copy of written curriculum that includes the subjects listed above.
• The curricula provide specific benchmarks/outcomes for each grade level in each subject area that moves beyond the Common Core Standards. 
• Documentation: Copy of written benchmarks/outcomes for each grade level in each subject area that are more than a copy of the Common Core Standards.
• Documentation: Curricula show the progression of content, skills, and dispositions in each subject and link one grade to the next.

D.  The school must meet standard legal requirements for health, safety, and cleanliness, including procedures for fire, tornado, and other emergency drills; kitchen inspections; heating, ventilation, asbestos, and lighting regulations; adequate fire extinguishers and warning systems; health and safety guidelines including blood-borne pathogens, first aid, CPR, and crisis/safe school plan.

• Documentation: Copy of most recent safety, health and inspection reports.
• Documentation: Copy of procedures for fire and tornado drills.  (for existing schools, copy of current fire/tornado/School Safety /Other Evacuation Drills log).
• Documentation: Copy of health and safety guidelines including blood-borne pathogens, first aid, CPR, and the school’s crisis/safe school plan.
• Documentation: Copy of permanent occupancy permit.

E.  The school must have a written non-discriminatory policy used in hiring personnel. Church-affiliated schools may give preference to members of their faith as allowed by law.

• Documentation: Copy of non-discrimination statement in hiring.

F.  The school must have a written non-discriminatory policy used in admissions or other services. Church-affiliated schools may give preference to members of their faith as allowed by law.

• Documentation: Copy of non-discrimination statement for admissions and services.

G.  The normal instructional day provides for a school year of the expected number of hours (K = 437 hours, 1-6 = 1,050 hours, 7-12 = 1,137 hours).  The normal instructional day will be at least six clock hours exclusive of a lunch period.

NOTE: When grades 7 and 8 are included as part of an elementary school, the hours of instruction are the same as for grades 1-6. When grades 7 and 8 are included as part of an elementary school participating in the Parental Choice Program, the hours of DIRECT instruction are the same as for grades 7-12.  It is important to include extra hours in the school calendar to cover a loss of time for acts of nature which may take away from the direct instructional time. [WI Statute 118.165(1)(c); 118.165(1)(e); 118.165 (1)(f)]

• Documentation: Copy of school compulsory attendance policy. Copy of school schedule showing students return annually to homes for not less than two months of summer vacation or the institution is licensed as a child welfare agency under s. 48.60 (1)
• Documentation: Copy of daily schedule showing at least six clock hours of direct instruction exclusive of lunch.
• Documentation: A copy of the yearly schedule (face-to-face student attendance days by month) showing compliance with the required hours of instruction from the State Department of Public Instruction.

H.  The school has a professional and competent staff in sufficient numbers to support student learning.

• Documentation: Submit the names and qualifications of all administrators and faculty members. Established schools are required to provide full documentation. New schools are exempt from this requirement, as personnel may not yet be in place.
• Copies of college degrees from accredited institutions and highest level earned. List subjects/grades the teachers will be teaching. Copies of college diplomas and state licenses.
• Copy of hiring policies regarding teacher education requirements. (NOTE: Schools pursuing accreditation with WRISA, please refer to Standard 5 for educational requirements for professional personnel which differ from requirements for Choice Program).

I.  The school has an annual budgetary process and budget that support the foundational statements. The administrator and governing/consultative body maintain and oversee financial records, transactions, and statements through a recognized accounting system, and provide financial accountability to stakeholders by publishing an annual financial report.

• Documentation: A copy of a one-year budget projection (July 1-June 30) clearly showing additional funding beyond Parental Choice Program funds SEPARATE from the DPI Parental Choice Program application forms. This budget must assure WRISA that the school is solvent through its first year of Operation.
• Documentation: Proof of funding source(s) in addition to the Parental Choice Program funds
• Documentation: Copy of Financial Policies and Procedures
• Documentation: Copy of latest independent financial audit (if one has been completed)
• Documentation: Copy of Year-to-Date budget (applies for schools in operation)
• Documentation: Copy of one (1) year budget projection for the upcoming school year
• Documentation: Copy of current active insurance (for schools in operation)
• Documentation: Copy of Application for ‘private pay’ students.