LBC Relations with Nonpublic Schools

 

 

In accordance with state law, the School Committee will approve a private school when it is satisfied that the instructional program of the school equals that of the town’s public schools in thoroughness, efficiency, and progress made. 

 

Acting reasonably and in good faith in carrying out the statutory responsibilities to approve a private school, the School Committee bears no legal responsibility and/or assumes no liability for any actions of the private school. 

The private school is on notice that it is required to obtain the following in order to operate: 

 

A private school may demonstrate its program is thorough, efficient, and effective through one of the two following methods: 

 

1.  Provision of evidence of accreditation by one or more accrediting organizations recognized by the US Department of Education

2.  Directly providing evidence on the following indicators to the School Committee:

 

a.  Curriculum – The curriculum offered is comprehensive, including but not limited to the following instructional areas:

i.    Mathematics

ii.   Science and Technology

iii.  History and Social Science

iv.  English

v.   Foreign language

vi.  The Arts

vii.  Physical Education

b.  Educational Materials – Textbooks and individual instructional materials, including computers and other technology are adequate.

c.  School Staff – the instruction provided is “thorough and efficient based on:

i.    Teacher qualifications

ii.    Adequate student/teacher ratio

iii.   Regular staff evaluation

iv.   The school principal reviews criminal offender record information (CORI) and FBI fingerprinting of current and prospective employees and volunteers as required by law.

d.   Administration – the school has a clearly defined organization that facilitates its objectives.

e.   Records

i.    The school maintains an adequate system of student records (e.g., attendance, health, discipline, progress reports).

ii.   The student records are kept in a secure and organized manner that is consistent with federal and state student record laws to the extent applicable.

iii.  The school maintains, and timely provides, transcripts in response to requests of student and former students in accordance with MGL 71:43A.

iv.  The school is prepared to efficiently transfer transcripts of all students and former students to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education nd/or other schools should it cease operation, in accordance with MGL71:34G

f.  Student Services – the school provides adequate pupil personnel services for all students(e.g., health care procedures, guidance and counseling programs, discipline policy).

g.  Student Learning Time – the school provides adequate student learning time (length of school year and school day) and hours of instruction in each subject.

h.  Student Performance Assessment – the school periodically evaluates student’s skills, competencies, and knowledge and documents their progress.

 

 

Adopted: 2/9/2023