RESOURCES AND ALLOCATION
The space, facilities, and environment of the school are safe for students
and of a size, configuration, and condition to properly serve the attainment
of the goals of the school. Those people serving students are qualified to do
so through documented training and experience. Sufficient time is available
and organized so that the school community's mission, goals, and current improvement
initiatives can be fulfilled. A coordinated system designed to increase students'
access to information and expand their knowledge base is available. Sufficient
financial resources are available to provide space, people, time, materials,
and instructional programs to maximize the potential for all students to make
successful life transitions.
Time
| Membership Criteria |
RA 1
|
The amount of time allocated for student learning and staff
development is sufficient and appropriately organized to enable the school
to accomplish its goals. |
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|
RA 2
|
The length of the school year and planning time meet or exceed
the following specifications: |
| Length of School Year--Instructional
Time |
|
|
Level |
Days Per Year |
or |
Clock Hours Per Year |
|
| RA 2a |
Pre-Kindergarten |
A planned program |
|
|
| RA 2b |
Kindergarten |
175 days @ 2.5 hours minimum |
or |
438 hours |
| RA 2c |
Elementary |
175 days @ 5.0 hours minimum |
or |
875 hours |
| RA 2g |
Planning Time. All full-time teachers have at least
an average of 200 minutes per week scheduled for planning and conference
time. |
| |
|
| Improvement Criteria |
RA 3
|
Interruptions to instructional time are kept to a minimum,
and the amount of time devoted to student learning is maximized. |
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|
RA 4
|
Planning/conference time is used appropriately so that staff
may effectively meet the needs of students. |
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Space and Safety
| Membership Criteria |
RA 5
|
All space and facilities utilized by the school are of appropriate
size, configuration, and condition to enhance the achievement of the goals
of the school. |
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|
RA 6
|
The site and facilities provide a safe and healthful learning
environment. |
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RA 7
|
Fire, police, health, or other designated officials conduct
regular safety inspections. All legal safety requirements are observed. |
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RA 8
|
Inspections of the site, building, and equipment and evaluation
of the safety and emergency procedures are conducted regularly. Identified
hazards and deficiencies are dealt with promptly. |
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|
RA 9
|
Provision is made for security and safety of students in terms
of both in-school disorder and external intrusion. |
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RA 10
|
The site is readily accessible to the school population; as
free as possible from traffic, other hazards, and distracting noise; and
of sufficient size. |
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RA 11
|
The building is clean, attractive, in good repair, and (where
required) barrier free to serve the needs of all students. |
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RA 12
|
Recognized standards and legal requirements for heating, ventilation,
and illumination are met. |
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RA 13
|
Equipment is appropriate in size, type, and quantity for the
students attending the school including students with special needs. Appropriate
space is provided for storage, materials preparation, and consultation. |
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|
RA 14
|
The buildings and grounds are maintained with consideration
for functional and aesthetic values. |
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|
RA 15
|
Permanent records of students and staff are protected from
theft, fire, or other damage. |
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|
RA 16
|
The indoor and outdoor environments are safe, clean, attractive,
and spacious. |
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Personnel
| Membership Criteria |
RA 20
|
The school staff is of sufficient quality and number and appropriately
assigned so that the school can achieve the goals of the school. |
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|
RA 21
|
Preparation and Qualifications: |
| |
- Degree and Legal Standards: All professional personnel hold
a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution and
meet the regular certification standards of the state or the equivalent.
|
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|
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- Early Childhood Teaching Staff
|
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- Pre-kindergarten teachers meet the regular certification standards
of the state for their specific assignment. However, where state standards
are lower, the equivalent of 15 semester hours of early childhood
education coursework are required. The preparation may include up
to 3 semester hours of student teaching in an early childhood education
program.
- Kindergarten teachers have a minimum of 9 semester hours of coursework
in early childhood ecucation and meet the regular certification standards
of the state for the specific assignment. The preparation may include
up to 3 semester hours of student teaching in an early childhood education
program.
- In the absence of 15 semester hours of early childhood, 225 hours
of appropriate early childhood staff development may be substituted.
|
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|
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- Elementary Level Teaching Staff
|
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Elementary teachers meet the regular certification standards of the
state or the equivalent. Specialists (e.g., reading, special education)
meet the regular certification standards of the state or the equivalent.
Where state standards are lower, 15 semester hours of preparation in
the area of specialization shall be considered minimal.
|
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|
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- Administrator
|
| |
The administrator meets state certification requirements or holds a
masters degree from a regionally-accredited college or university and
has at least 20 semester hours of graduate work in professional education
with major emphasis on early childhood, administration, curriculum,
supervision, and related subjects. The administrator has a minimum of
two years of teaching experience.
|
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|
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- Non-teaching professional personnel shall meet state certification
and/or qualification requirements (or the equivalent) or have a minimum
of 18 semester hours in the field
|
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|
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- Paraprofessionals, teacher aides, and interns meet state qualifications
for their respective positions.
|
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RA 22
|
Assignments of all professional staff are appropriate and
reasonable and are in keeping with the professional preparation of each
staff member and allow the school to meet its mission and provide for the
developmental and academic needs of the students served. |
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|
RA 23
|
Pupil-Staff Ratios: |
| |
- In each kindergarten class, the pupil teacher ratio does not exceed
15:1 without an aide and 2:1 with a full time aide.
- In pre-kindergarten a full-time aide is present whenever students
are present and the ratio of three to four-year-old students to professional
staff is 18 to 1
- In all other classes, the pupil teacher ratio does not exceed 25:1
without an aide.
For early childhood the following ratio of students to professional staff
members is recommended:
| Age of students |
Group Size |
Ratio of Adults to Students |
| 3 year olds |
14-20 |
1:7 - 1:10 |
| 4 year olds |
16-20 |
1:8 - 1:10 |
| 5 year olds |
16-22 |
1:8 - 1:10 |
|
| |
|
RA 24
|
The school is in compliance with state and federal laws regarding
equal employment opportunities. |
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Finances
| Membership Criteria |
RA 30
|
Sufficient financial resources are available to accomplish
the mission and goals of the school. |
| |
|
RA 31
|
All income and expenditures are safeguarded through proper
budgetary procedures and are audited annually or as required by law. |
| |
|
| Improvement Criteria |
RA 32
|
The budget is based upon an assessment of resources needed
to accomplish the mission and goals of the school. |
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RA 34
|
In analyzing the resources needed, the school makes appropriate
use of community resources and community advisory groups. |
Instructional Resources
Students have access to a broad range of information through an organized
media and technology program that makes maximum use of resources.
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Media Services
| Membership Criteria |
RA 40
|
The school media collection consists of a balance of print,
nonprint, and electronic media adequate and quality and quantity to meet
the needs of the program. |
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|
RA 41
|
Sufficient resources are budgeted and spent annually to
maintain a current collection. |
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RA 42
|
Ongoing instruction is provided for staff and students to
ensure effective and appropriate use of all materials available through
the center. |
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RA 43
|
Provision is made for equipment, basic materials, space,
and instruction for the staff and students in designing and producing
instructional/learning materials. Provision is made for the replacement
and updating of all materials. |
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Information Technology
| Membership Criteria |
RA 50
|
The school has an ongoing instructional technology plan that
addresses utilization, staff development, effectiveness, and the needs of
all students and staff. |
| |
|
RA 51
|
All technology resources are conveniently accessible to all
students, faculty, and staff and are integrated as appropriate. |
NCA-CASI HOME : STANDARD
: EARLYCHILD : RA
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