Policies+&+Procedures

The AdvancED Accreditation Policies and Procedures represent the unified policies and procedures for accreditation from AdvancED's Accreditation Divisions: North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).

These policies and procedures apply to all schools/school systems seeking NCA CASI or SACS CASI accreditation, with the exception of postsecondary non-degree granting institutions seeking NCA CASI accreditation. Separate policies and procedures apply to these schools.

For the purposes of these policies, the term school system includes school districts, systems of schools, corporations, and education service agencies.

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The AdvancED accreditation policies and procedures outlined in this document represent the unified policies and procedures for accreditation from AdvancED’s Accreditation Divisions: North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).

These policies and procedures apply to all schools/school systems seeking NCA CASI or SACS CASI accreditation, with the exception of postsecondary non-degree granting institutions seeking NCA CASI accreditation. Separate policies and procedures apply to these schools. For the purposes of these policies, the term school system includes school districts, systems of schools, corporations, and education service agencies.

=**POLICY I: Accreditation**=
 * 1.01 Accreditation.** In order to earn and/or maintain NCA CASI or SACS CASI accreditation, a school or school system must: 1) meet the accreditation standards, policies, and procedures of AdvancED; 2) host a quality assurance review team at least once every five years; 3) engage in continuous improvement; 4) submit all required accreditation reports; and 5) pay required accreditation fees. The revision and adoption of the accreditation policies and procedures of AdvancED shall be the responsibility of the AdvancED Accreditation Commission with ratification from the AdvancED Board of Trustees.

=**Policy II: Term and Requirements of Accreditation**= a. The school/school system adheres to the AdvancED Accreditation Standards and policies and authentically engages in the AdvancED process and procedures for continuous improvement to achieve results. b. Between six months and six weeks prior to the Quality Assurance Review (QAR), the school/school system completes and submits the AdvancED Self Assessment. c. The school/school system hosts a Quality Assurance Review at least once every five years. d. Two years following the Quality Assurance Review, the school/school system completes a progress report on the team’s required actions. (A school/school system placed on Advisement, Warned, or Probation, if required, must submit more frequent progress reports.) e. The school/school system pays accreditation fees as required.
 * 2.01 Term.** A school/school system is accredited for a five year term, as long as the school/school system continues to satisfy the conditions for accreditation:

School/school system failure to submit a substantive change may result in changes to the school’s/school system’s accreditation status and/or loss of accreditation. A school may accept credits or grade placement from non-accredited schools when validated by one or more of the following procedures: a review of the student’s academic record, an analysis of a sending school’s curriculum, a review of a portfolio of student work, or through an assessment of scholastic performance. The receiving school must maintain policy and procedures to govern the acceptance of credit or grade placement from non-accredited sources. A school should provide prompt and accurate transcript services for students entering or leaving the school in accordance with local policy.
 * 2.02 Additional Requirements.** In addition to satisfying the conditions outlined in 2.01, a school/school system must adhere to the following:
 * a. Compliance with Applicable Governmental Requirements.** The school/school system must comply with all applicable governmental requirements, including any requirements for governmental approval, recognition, or accreditation. A school’s/school system’s loss of its governmental approval, recognition, or accreditation may be grounds for an accreditation review and monitoring visit that may result in a change in accreditation status in accordance with the procedures outlined in this document.
 * b. Non-discriminatory Admission of Students.** Schools and school systems accredited through AdvancED’s NCA CASI and SACS CASI shall not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, or disabilities or act unlawfully in the administration of their educational policies, scholarship, admission, and loan programs.
 * c. Records Retention.** Schools/school systems are required to maintain and implement a records retention system that meets applicable government requirements for all operating, financial, personnel, and student records. The records retention system applies to paper and electronic records, includes appropriate back-up systems, and details consistent processes for records destruction. Schools/school systems must identify processes for the ongoing access and maintenance of all relevant records in the event of school/school system closure.
 * d. Institutional Integrity.** A school/school system is required to represent itself accurately in all aspects of the accreditation process. If a school/school system misrepresents itself, including accreditation status, to the public; has any condition that may be detrimental to the clientele of the school/school system; or falsely reports its compliance with the policies and standards for accreditation; the school’s/school system’s accreditation can be dropped. If a school’s/school system’s accreditation is recommended to be dropped, the school/school system shall be afforded due process in consideration of such action.
 * e. Substantive Change.** A school/school system must report to AdvancED within sixty (60) days of occurrence any substantive change in the school/school system that changes the scope and/or has an impact on the school’s/school system’s ability to meet the AdvancED Standards and policies. The report of a substantive change must describe the change itself as well as detail the impact of the change on the quality of education in the school/school system. Substantive change areas include, but are not limited to, the following:
 * Consolidation or reorganization of the school
 * Mission and purpose of the institution
 * Governance structure of the school/school system including changing to a charter school/school system, being the subject of a state takeover, or a change in ownership
 * Grade levels served by the school/school system
 * Staffing, including administrative and other non-teaching professional personnel
 * Available facilities, including upkeep and maintenance
 * Level of funding
 * School day or school year
 * Establishment of an additional location geographically apart from the main campus
 * Student population that causes program or staffing modification(s)
 * Available programs, including fine arts, practical arts and student activities
 * f. Credits or Grade Placement.** An AdvancED/NCA CASI or AdvancED/SACS CASI accredited school shall accept and classify transfer credits earned or grade placement from schools that are accredited by a //**recognized***// national, regional, or state accrediting agency without further validation based on the school’s policies and procedures governing such offerings. The school’s policies and procedures should be designed to ensure proper academic placement of the student.


 * 2.03 NCA CASI and SACS CASI Responsibilities.** In carrying out the unified accreditation policies and procedures of AdvancED, NCA CASI and SACS CASI are responsible for ensuring school/school system adherence to the AdvancED Standards and policies, conducting a Quality Assurance Review to every school/school system at least once every five years, reviewing all school/school system reports, granting accreditation status for all schools/school systems, responding to complaints by and about schools/school systems, and maintaining accurate, complete, and timely records.
 * a. Code of Ethics.** In performing the responsibilities outlined above, all agents of NCA CASI and SACS CASI shall adhere to the AdvancED Code of Ethics.
 * b. Gifts.** Members of Quality Assurance Review teams and other agents of AdvancED’s NCA CASI or SACS CASI Accreditation Divisions who provide services to schools/school systems are prohibited from accepting gifts, other than school/school system logo items of minimal value, from schools/school systems.
 * c. Investigations.** In performing its duties, NCA CASI and SACS CASI may investigate an accredited school/school system on any matter related to possible violations of AdvancED Standards and policies at any time. AdvancED’s accreditation divisions shall use judgment and discretion in determining if a complaint rises to a level justifying an investigation. Investigations will only be initiated when supported by substantial evidence and when they involve matters that could seriously hinder or disrupt the educational effectiveness of the institution and ability of the institution to meet the AdvancED Accreditation Standards. All investigations shall be conducted with proper attention to due process, and procedures shall be followed to protect the rights of all parties. The accreditation status of an accredited school/school system may be changed as deemed appropriate through the investigative process, and timelines set forth in Policy III may not necessarily apply to special investigations and subsequent monitoring visits. When warranted by a change of status recommendation, the results of an investigation shall be reported to the appropriate AdvancED Council or AdvancED Accreditation Commission or successor board/commission for appropriate action.
 * d. Maintenance of and Public Access to School/School System Records.** AdvancED maintains a record retention system that includes procedures for maintenance and access to school/school system records. AdvancED retains all school/school system final accreditation reports and official correspondence for a 10-year period, documenting two full terms of accreditation. Effective July 1, 2009, AdvancED makes available for public access the school’s/school system’s accreditation status, Executive Institutional Summary, school’s/school system’s term of accreditation, and school’s/school system’s date of initial accreditation. Upon request, accredited schools/systems must provide the public access to the Quality Assurance Review Report, Accreditation Progress Report, and any special or interim accreditation reports, subject to any customary costs for copying and handling.

=**Policy III: Accredited and Non-Accredited Statuses**= OR The school/school system has been Accredited On Advisement and has failed to address the required actions or submit a progress report. The school/school system is provided a year to demonstrate progress toward addressing the required actions. At the end of the year, the school/school system submits a progress report. The report is reviewed to ensure sufficient progress is being made. If the required actions have been addressed, the school’s/school system’s Warned status may be removed. If the school/school system does not address the required actions or fails to submit a progress report, the school/school system will be moved to Probation status. If the required actions are being addressed but still remain, the school/school system may remain on Warned status and must file a progress report after the second year. If the required actions have been addressed, the school’s/school system’s Warned status may be removed. If the required actions have not been addressed by the second year, the school/school system may be moved to another accreditation status, including Probation or Dropped status. OR The school/school system has been Accredited Warned for one year and has failed to adequately address the required actions or submit a progress report. OR The school/school system has been Accredited Warned for two years and has failed to adequately address or make substantial progress towards addressing the required actions. If the school/school system is given an Accredited Probation status, it may be given up to one year to address the required actions. A //**State Office* ***// or Special Review Team visits the school/school system to assess progress on the required actions and has the authority to recommend a change in accreditation status. If, in the opinion of the Special Review Team, the required actions have been addressed or sufficient progress has been made, the accreditation status may be changed upon approval by the appropriate AdvancED Council or the AdvancED Accreditation Commission. If the required actions have not been addressed, the team shall be authorized to recommend that the school’s/school system’s accreditation status be dropped upon approval by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission.
 * 3.01 Accredited Status.** There are four accreditation statuses that may be conferred on a school/school system as a result of a Quality Assurance Review visit. The levels of performance referenced in the status descriptions below are defined in the AdvancED accreditation rubric, which may be obtained from the Accreditation Division Office. No provisions in Policy III prevent a school’s/school system’s accreditation status from being changed upon a different timeline established due to the findings of a special investigation and/or possible subsequent monitoring visits.
 * a. Accredited.** The school/school system performs at or above the Operational level on all standards and requirements of the accreditation process and any required actions noted do not detract to a serious degree from the quality of the school’s/school system’s educational program and/or violate AdvancED standards or policies. Schools/school systems with any noted required actions must report their progress made to address the required actions in the Accreditation Progress Report.
 * b. Accredited On Advisement.** The school/school system performs at the Emerging level in one or more of the standards. Required actions will focus on area(s) of improvement so that the school/school system performs at or above the Operational level of all the standards. Schools/school systems with any noted required actions must report their progress to address the required actions in the Accreditation Progress Report. The report is reviewed to ensure sufficient progress is being made. If sufficient progress has been made and the required actions have been addressed, the school’s/school system’s On Advisement status may be removed. If the school/school system does not address the required actions or fails to submit a progress report, the school/school system may be moved to another accreditation status. Depending on the progress achieved by the school/school system in addressing the required actions, additional progress reports may be required by AdvancED.
 * c. Accredited Warned.** The school/school system performs at the Not Evident level in one of the standards or requirements of the accreditation process and the resulting required actions identify an area(s) that seriously detracts from the quality of the school’s/school system’s educational program and/or violates AdvancED standards and/or policies.
 * d. Accredited Probation.** The school/school system performs at the Not Evident level on two of the standards or requirements of the accreditation process and the resulting required actions are deemed to indicate a serious impact on the school’s/school system’s educational program, limit the school’s/school system’s ability to fulfill its mission, cause potential harm to students, prevent continuous improvement of the school/school system and/or show failure to authentically adhere to the AdvancED Standards.

An applicant school/school system may not project future or expected accreditation status. All applicant schools/school systems are not accredited until such status is officially granted. In any public announcements regarding the school’s/school system’s pursuit of accreditation, the applicant school/school system must avoid any implication that applicant status equates with accreditation or automatically leads to accreditation. AdvancED’s Accreditation Divisions shall have full authority and discretion to deny accreditation status to any school/school system determined by AdvancED to be in violation of this policy. has the capacity to meet the standards required to earn accreditation, but the school/school system has not yet hosted a Quality Assurance Review Team. A school/school system may remain in candidacy for no more than two years. During candidacy, the school/school system pays full accreditation fees. A candidate school/school system may not project future or expected accreditation status. All candidate schools/school systems are not accredited until such status is officially granted. In any public announcements regarding the school’s/school system’s pursuit of accreditation, the candidate school/school system must avoid any implication that candidacy status equates with accreditation or automatically leads to accreditation. AdvancED’s Accreditation Divisions shall have full authority and discretion to deny accreditation status to any school/school system determined by AdvancED to be in violation of this policy.
 * 3.02 Non-accredited Status.** There are three non-accredited statuses that may be conferred on a school/school system.
 * a. Applicant.** The school/school system has submitted formal application for accreditation but has not yet hosted the readiness visit. A school/school system may also be in the applicant category if it has submitted formal application, hosted a readiness visit, and been found by the readiness team and State Office to not have the capacity to meet the standards required to earn accreditation. A school/school system may remain an applicant for no more than two years. If the school/school system fails to achieve accredited status within said two year period, said school/school system must wait two years and begin the process anew.
 * b. Candidate.** The school/school system has submitted formal application and has hosted a readiness visit. The readiness team and State Office find that the school/school system
 * c. Dropped.** The school/school system:
 * 1) Performs at the Not Evident level on three or more of the standards or requirements of the accreditation process; or
 * 2) Finds it is no longer able to meet the AdvancED Standards and/or accreditation policies and notifies the respective NCA CASI or SACS CASI office that it wishes to have its accredited status dropped; or
 * 3) Fails to pay accreditation fees; or
 * 4) Has been Accredited Probation and fails to make substantial progress on the required actions within the timeframe established by AdvancED policies and procedures or review team recommendation; or
 * 5) Has been found by an investigative team to no longer adhere to the standards and accreditation requirements or procedures (refer to section 6.04) or fails to cooperate with any accreditation team investigation or request for information.

The dropped status is effective on the date of official action by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission to drop the school/school system. A school/school system that has been dropped from accreditation must remove all references to its accredited status from school/school system diplomas, certificates, websites, buildings, literature, and the like. A dropped school/school system may seek reinstatement within one year of receiving the dropped status. After one year, the dropped school/school system must reapply and follow the same procedures as new schools/school systems.


 * 3.03 Ongoing Monitoring.** The accredited/non-accredited status of a school/school system is regularly monitored by AdvancED’s Accreditation Divisions and State Offices of NCA CASI and SACS CASI and may be changed based on new or corrected information provided by the school/school system, Quality Assurance Review Team reports, reports from special visits, complaints submitted, or other sources.

a. School/school system contacts the State Office to obtain the Request for Reinstatement form. b. School/school system completes the Request for Reinstatement form and submits its current dues to the AdvancED Accreditation Office. c. The Accreditation Office contacts the school/school system to confirm receipt of the request and notifies the State Office. d. The Accreditation Office includes the request for reinstatement with its accreditation actions/recommendations for review by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission or appropriate AdvancED **//Council* * *//** with final approval of said action by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission. The school’s/school system’s accreditation term continues. The school is reinstated in its original accreditation term. The school must satisfy all requirements of the accreditation term in which it is being reinstated. A school that dropped in its fifth year of the accreditation term and reinstates must host a Quality Assurance Review upon reinstatement.
 * 3.04 Reinstatement.** Schools/school systems may request reinstatement of their accredited status with their original date of accreditation if they were dropped from accredited status in the prior year. The steps for reinstatement are as follows:

=Policy IV: Procedures for Initial Accreditation=
 * 4.01 Overview.** Schools/school systems seeking initial accreditation must demonstrate that they meet the AdvancED Standards and policies, have the capacity to support school/school system improvement, and are committed to growth in student learning and organizational effectiveness.

a. A school/school system must be in operation for at least two years with demonstrated financial stability before it may be accredited. b. A school/school system must certify that it possesses the appropriate licenses to operate if licensing is required by local or state statutes. c. A school/school system must host a readiness visit within three months after applying. d. A school/school system must host a Quality Assurance Review visit within two years after becoming a candidate. e. A school/school system that does not host the readiness or Quality Assurance Review visit within the prescribed time period must re-apply.
 * 4.02 General Guidelines.** Following are general guidelines for all schools/school systems seeking initial accreditation:

The new school application fee applies to any new school that is making application as a single school. Schools that apply as part of a group of schools at the same time (such as two or more schools from a school system or diocese) pay one application fee for the full group. For example, a school system that wishes to submit applications for multiple schools pays only one application fee as long as all of the schools’ applications are submitted at the same time.
 * 4.03 Application Process.** The school/school system must complete and submit all required application materials, including application dues/fees.

a. Determine if the school/school system has the capacity and integrity to meet and adhere to the AdvancED Standards and policies. b. Determine if the school/school system has the capacity to support continuous school improvement. c. Make a determination if the school/school system should become a candidate for accreditation or remain as an applicant. Upon achievement of candidate status, the school/school system completes the Self Assessment and prepares for the Quality Assurance Review visit.
 * 4.04 Readiness Visit and Candidacy Status.** Upon receipt of completed application materials, the appropriate NCA CASI or SACS CASI office coordinates a readiness visit to the school/school system. The purpose of the visit is to:


 * 4.05 Quality Assurance Review and Accreditation Recommendation.** The candidate school/school system hosts a Quality Assurance Review within two years of receiving candidacy status. The Quality Assurance Review Team makes an accreditation recommendation that is reviewed, along with other documentation, at the state level and by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission or successor board/commission, which grants the final accreditation status.


 * 4.06 Earning Accredited Status.** Upon achieving accredited status, the school/school system engages in the tasks required of all schools/school systems to maintain their accredited status.


 * 4.07 Remaining in Candidacy Status.** If accreditation is not conferred on the school/school system, the school/school system remains as a candidate for accreditation. To achieve accreditation, the school/school system must meet the requirements specified in the Quality Assurance Review report within one year. It must submit documentation to its respective state office, which will make an accreditation recommendation for review and approval by the appropriate governing board. If the school/school system fails to meet the requirements specified in the Quality Assurance Review report, its candidacy status will be removed.

procedures: a. The school completes and submits an application for accreditation. b. The school system certifies that the school meets AdvancED accreditation standards and is actively engaged in the school system’s process for quality assurance. c. Upon receiving the school system’s certification, the State Office makes an accreditation recommendation that is submitted to the AdvancED Accreditation Commission for final approval. d. Upon earning accredited status, the school engages in the school system’s approved plan for accreditation. e. If the school is not recommended for accreditation, the school system must submit a plan for how it will address any noted deficiencies to ensure the school is ready for accreditation within a year.
 * 4.08 Schools from a School System that is District Accredited.** Schools applying for initial accreditation that are part of districts or systems that are district accredited use the following

=Policy V: Procedures for Consolidated, Reorganized, and Other Schools=
 * 5.01 Consolidated Schools.** With the concurrence of the AdvancED Council, a consolidated school may retain continuing accreditation provided that at least one of the schools involved in the consolidation is accredited by any of AdvancED’s Accreditation Divisions such as NCA CASI/SACS CASI at the time of the consolidation. There must be no break in accreditation. The school must submit written notification of consolidation to the appropriate AdvancED State Office or AdvancED Regional Office. The AdvancED State Office will review the notification with the appropriate AdvancED Council for concurrence and submit appropriate forms/notification to the AdvancED Accreditation Office.


 * 5.02 Reorganized Schools.** A new school or schools formed by reorganization of an accredited school may retain continuing accreditation with the concurrence of the appropriate AdvancED Council. The reorganized school must submit written notification of its reorganization to the appropriate AdvancED State Office. The AdvancED State Office will review the notification with the AdvancED Council and determine whether the reorganized school may continue its accreditation or be required to apply as a new school and follow the new school procedures.

a. The extension or branch campus is under the direct supervision of the administrative head of the main campus school. b. The extension or branch campus serves students from the main campus (it does not serve students from more than one school). c. The extension or branch campus provides a program of services that are a part of the total educational program (it does not duplicate services or programs). d. The director or supervisor of the extension or branch campus reports directly to the administrative head of the main campus school. e. The extension or branch campus operates under the same state education agency school number as the main campus.
 * 5.03. Extension or Branch Campuses.** An extension or branch campus of a school can be accredited as part of the main campus provided the following conditions are met:

agency has provided them with distinct school numbers. If the schools share the same state provided school number, they will be treated as one school by AdvancED.
 * 5.04. Schools within a School.** Schools within a school are treated as separate schools and are required to comply with all AdvancED accreditation requirements if the state education

=Policy VI: Procedures Regarding Complaints by and about Accredited Schools/School Systems= a. The name, address, phone number, and other pertinent contact information of the complainant. b. A description of the circumstances or events and any relevant documentation that support the complaint. c. A statement of relationship with the individual involved, if the complainant is not the aggrieved individual. Complaints concerning individual students will only be investigated or sent to the school if the complaint is made or authorized by a student of majority age or by an individual that has the legal authority and right to represent the student. d. The name, address, and other contact information for the individual at the school/school system that has been contacted by the complainant to resolve the problem or situation. e. Permission for representatives of AdvancED to access any records concerning the complainant if such records are not available to the public. f. A statement of first-hand knowledge of the substance of the complaint, unless the complaint is supported by reliable documentation.
 * 6.01 Written complaint.** Any complaints submitted by and about schools/school systems must be submitted in writing, both paper or electronic notices are acceptable. All complaints should include the following information to allow for proper review and if determined, in the sole discretion of AdvancED’s Accreditation Divisions, appropriate investigation:


 * 6.02. Complaints Regarding Child Abuse, Sexual Harassment, or Discrimination.** Any complaint that identifies potential child abuse, sexual harassment, or discrimination on the part of a student or staff member, shall be forwarded immediately to the appropriate agency authorized to investigate such complaints. Unsigned complaints concerning potential child abuse, sexual harassment, or discrimination will be forwarded to the principal and the superintendent or other similar official in the school’s/school system’s organization. Findings by the appropriate agency may result in action by AdvancED’s Accreditation Commission or its successor board/commission if the findings are made available to the governing board.


 * 6.03 Individual Grievances.** Isolated and individual grievances between a school/school system and person are not adjudicated. Complaints of that nature, documented and signed by the person initiating the complaint, will be forwarded to the school/school system. The school/school system shall respond to the complaint within thirty (30) days. A copy of the complaint and the school’s/school system’s response to it will be retained by the appropriate AdvancED, NCA CASI or SACS CASI office. If several individual complaints against a school/school system suggest a particular violation or pattern of violations that might affect the school’s/school system’s ability to meet AdvancED Standards or policies, further investigation may be authorized and shall occur within a reasonable period of time.

a. If the investigating body believes that a school’s/school system’s response to a complaint does not address the complaint or if a school/school system fails to address the complaint in a timely manner, the information about the complaint will be shared with the Quality Assurance Review team scheduled for the next review of the school/school system or with representatives of a special investigation team being sent to the school/school system to conduct a special review into the complaint and empowered with the ability to make a recommendation as to the Accreditation status of the school/school system. The special review team is charged with investigating said complaint, as well as, investigating the possible violation of any other AdvancED Standards and policies that may be discovered through a diligent and thorough investigation. b. The findings from an investigation of a complaint may result in changes to a school’s/school system’s accreditation status. The AdvancED Accreditation Commission and AdvancED Board of Trustees do not have civil authority to impose any order of settlement on a school/school system or its representatives. Complainants seeking a settlement, payment, or compensation should pursue their concern through the channels offered by a State Department of Education or other legal authority in the state.
 * 6.04 Investigation of Complaints.** Complaints that are determined by AdvancED to sufficiently identify potential violations of AdvancED Standards or policies will be investigated. Said determination of whether sufficient grounds exist to begin an investigation is in the sole discretion of AdvancED.

=Policy VII: Appeal Procedures=
 * 7.01 Right to Appeal.** A school/school system has the right to appeal a decision to drop its accreditation status. An accredited school/school system remains accredited until the final disposition of the appeal.

a. The school/school system shall file its intent to appeal an accreditation decision within ten (10) days of receipt of the decision. The intent to appeal shall be submitted via overnight service or US Postal Service, Return Receipt Requested or Certified Mail to the AdvancED Accreditation Office. b. The school’s/school system’s written grounds for appeal shall be submitted within thirty (30) days of receipt of the decision. The school’s/school system’s written grounds shall set forth the basis for its appeal. Only evidence previously submitted to AdvancED may be included in the submission. New evidence will not be considered. c. The school/school system shall submit to the AdvancED Accreditation Office a bond for costs of the appeal in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) that accompanies the written grounds for appeal. After the costs of the appeal have been deducted from the amount of the bond, any unused portion of the bond shall be returned to the school/school system. If the costs of the appeal exceed the amount of the bond, the school/school system shall pay the additional costs to AdvancED. d. A Panel of three impartial evaluators shall be selected by the AdvancED President/Chief Executive Officer, and confirmed by the Chair of the AdvancED Board of Trustees, to hear the school’s/school system’s appeal. The Panel shall be selected from a standing appeals body appointed by the AdvancED Board of Trustees to serve for staggered three year terms. The standing appeals body shall be comprised of educators who are knowledgeable about accreditation requirements but do not hold any other appointed, paid, or elected position with AdvancED, NCA CASI, or SACS CASI. At least one member of the standing appeals body shall be a public member. If the school/school system has good cause to believe that any member of the standing appeals body should not hear the school’s/school system’s appeal, it shall notify the President/Chief Executive Officer in writing of the basis for its objection at the time it submits its grounds for appeal. Objections to the composition of the Panel shall be heard and ruled upon by the Chair of the Board of Trustees in consultation with the President/Chief Executive Officer. e. The Appeals Panel will meet within sixty (60) days of receipt of the school’s/school system’s intent to appeal. The school/school system has the option of sending representatives to the hearing, including the school’s/school system’s legal counsel. However, the institution shall not have the right to cross-examine individual agents of AdvancED staff. AdvancED may request that its legal counsel be present to advise the panel members. The school/school system must provide notice of whom it intends to send to the hearing at the time it submits its grounds for appeal. The school/school system may request that the appeal hearing be transcribed. No audio-taping or videotaping of the appeal is permitted. The panel may visit the institution before or after the hearing to confirm information relevant to the appeal. f. All expenses of the appeal, including all expenses of the members of the Appeals Panel, are to be borne fully by the school/school system submitting the appeal. g. The Appeals Panel can either uphold the decision of the AdvancED Board of Trustees or remand the decision to the AdvancED Accreditation Commission for g. The Appeals Panel can either uphold the decision of the AdvancED Board of Trustees or remand the decision to the AdvancED Accreditation Commission for reconsideration. If the Appeals Panel upholds the decision of the AdvancED Board of Trustees, the action of that board is final. h. If the Appeals Panel remands the decision to the AdvancED Accreditation Commission for further consideration and the Commission adheres to its original decision, the matter shall be considered final.
 * 7.02 Appeal Procedures.** A school/school system wishing to appeal shall do so in accordance with the procedures set forth below:

A recognized agency is one that is recognized by the United States Department of Education or in State Code.
 * //* recognized//**

as identified here and as referenced throughout this document refers to the office responsible for administering schools/districts within a specific jurisdiction such as a state, group of states, regions, and/or country(ies).
 * //* * State Office//**

as referenced here and throughout this document refers to the advisory body for schools/school systems residing within a specific jurisdiction such as a state, group of states, region, and/or country(ies).
 * //* * * Council//**