**LBA - APPROVAL OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS** **Last Updated Date:** 07/08/2014 **Adoption Date:** 01/10/2006 The School Committee recognizes the right of parents to provide a private school education as an alternative to public schooling for their child. Consistent with Section 1 of Chapter 76 of Massachusetts General Laws, the School Committee has the responsibility to approve or disapprove private schools for purposes of compliance with the compulsory school attendance law of the Commonwealth. Approval shall be granted when, upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the School Committee is satisfied that the private school's instruction in all the studies required by law equals in thoroughness and efficiency, and in the progress made therein, that provided by the public schools of South Hadley.  In no case shall the approval of a private school be denied on account of religious teaching. A private school located within the Town of South Hadley must seek approval from the School Committee, regardless of whether or not children residing in South Hadley attend the private school.  Applications for approval of private schools shall be forwarded to the superintendent of schools for evaluation. The School Committee delegates to the superintendent the implementation of specific procedures and measurement of standards for an open, reasonable and good faith evaluation of private schools. In evaluating a private school, the superintendent shall consider the following factors: 1.         The philosophy and objectives of the private school. 2.         The number of hours and days devoted to teaching to meet the minimum requirements of the state. 3.         The teaching of subjects required by state law (M.G.L. Chapter 71, Sections 1, 2, and 3, or regulation) and the manner in which they are taught so as to impart comparable knowledge as given in the local schools. 4.         The adequacy of the texts, materials, methods, and programs being used. 5.         The availability of periodic tests and measurements of the child's educational growth comparable to those used by the local schools. 6.         The qualifications and number of teachers and other school staff. Though certification is not required, the presence or absence of the requirements that would lead to certification may be considered. 7.         The maintenance of adequate student records. 8.         The provisions made for student services. 9.         The adequacy and safety of the physical plant and equipment, including inspection by public health and safety departments. 10.       The adequacy of financial support to sustain the educational program. The evaluation procedures shall include a site visit by the superintendent to the private school, submission by private school officials of written documentation demonstrating adherence to established standards, and an opportunity for the private school administrator and/or board of directors to meet with the superintendent to provide additional explanation or answers to questions about the private school's programs. The private school administrator and/or representative of the private school have the right to a hearing before the School Committee to appeal the recommendation of the superintendent. They may be represented by counsel and shall be provided reasonable notice of the time and place of such a hearing. In the event that the private school applies to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Division of Special Education, for Chapter 766 approval to offer instruction to students with special needs at the public's expense, the School Committee reserves the right to participate jointly in the evaluation conducted by the state review board. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the School Committee will appoint the director of student services as its representative for the evaluation process and may accept the jointly conducted evaluation as the basis for its approval or disapproval of the private school. If the private school is approved, provisions will be made for re-evaluation of the private school under the procedures and standards established by the superintendent at the request of the private school officials or whenever deemed necessary on the basis of substantive changes in the private school programs, enrollment, or facility. **Policy References:** LEGAL REFS: M.G.L. 76:1; 71:1-3; 71B:10 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Regulations