Christian Schools of Florida
Accreditation Standards

4600: DUAL ACCREDITATION AND RECIPROCITY

Christian Schools of Florida (CSF) is a Christian school accrediting association with a historically reformed distinction. CSF is widely acknowledged as a quality accrediting association by state and national organizations. CSF is recognized by the State of Florida as a member of the Florida Association of Academic Non-Public Schools (FAANS). Since 1993 the national Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA) has recognized CSF as a charter member.

There are other quality accrediting associations that have different educational distinctives. CSF works collaboratively with many of these associations through its relationship with Christian Schools International (CSI), FAANS, NCPSA, and the Commission on International and Transregional Accreditation (CITA).

Dual accreditation and reciprocity with recognized quality school accrediting associations eliminates repetitive work and expenses for CSF schools without compromising quality. The CSF dual accreditation and reciprocity policy and process are as follows:

46001.1

If a school is accredited and in good standing with a FAANS member organization, or with a NCPSA/CITA member organization, including AdvancEd/SACS, and if the school is in compliance with the doctrinal beliefs of CSF:

(1)		CSF will acknowledge that accredited membership and waive the required two-year waiting period, and,

(2)		CSF will grant accredited status to the school prior to a regular full team accreditation on-site visit, based upon a favorable recommendation from a three-member CSF visiting team, which shall the include the Executive Director (or his designee) and two administrators of CSF accredited schools.

(3)		CSF will conduct a regular full team visit, either jointly with another organization of separately, at the discretion of the host school, with a view to continued accreditation when the school and the executive committee of CSF determine that the schools is ready; but this shall not be longer than the next regularly scheduled on-site visit required by the school’s prior accrediting agency.

4600.2

A Florida school that holds current CSI accreditation will automatically receive accreditation by and membership in CSF subject to the following qualifying conditions:

(1)		The school must meet all health, safety, sanitation and professional standardscontained in the CSF Standards.

(2)		The school meets the doctrinal standards of CSF for member schools.

(3)		If the school does not meet the doctrinal standards of CSF for member schools and yet is an accredited member of CSI, accreditation and membership will be granted with the following conditions: The school administrator will not be eligible to serve on the Executive Committee or as Executive Director. The school may not vote on any issues dealing with the doctrinal/theological standards of CSF.

(4)		Initial, reciprocal CSF accreditation will extend for the duration ofthe current CSI accreditation cycle.

(5)		During the initial, reciprocal accreditation cycle CSF will chargethe school 50% of the annual membership fee.

(6)		At the conclusion of the initial, reciprocal accreditation cycle,or at the conclusion of the initial accreditation visit, a school may usethe CSI or the CSF standards.

(7)		If a CSI accredited school in Florida chooses to use a future CSI accreditation process that substantially differs from the processcontained in the CSF process, standards will be added to the CSI standards to bring them into conformity with the health, safety, sanitation, and professional requirements for Florida non-publicschools.