New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Commission on Public Elementary and Middle Schools (CPEMS)

Membership Requirements

Candidacy for Accreditation

Any public elementary and/or middle level school seeking candidacy status from the Commission on Public Elementary and Middle Schools must meet the following preliminary conditions:
  • have completed at least one year of operation;
  • be tax supported;
  • complete and submit a candidacy application form to the Commission office, and host a candidacy visit from a Commission representative(s). 
The Commission will review the application at its next regularly scheduled meeting and shall determine if it will make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees for approval. Any recommendation for approval will be submitted to the Board of Trustees for action at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
 
Upon receiving candidacy status, the institution must make a commitment to accreditation by conducting a self study and hosting a Visiting Committee within three (3) years of becoming a candidate. The school is entitled and encouraged to make public its candidacy status in its publications and correspondence.

Continuing Accredited Member

Continuing accreditation signifies that a school is meeting the Commission’s Standards for Accreditation and adheres to all policies and procedures required of membership. To achieve and maintain accreditation the school must be engaged in a process of continuous improvement relative to the Commission’s Standards that includes a comprehensive self study, peer review, and engagement in Follow-Up activities in response to Commission actions.
 
Once a school has achieved accreditation, it remains in that category given the following stipulations:
  • All interim and special progress reports, which are used to address recommendations, have been submitted to and approved by, the Commission;
  • All substantive changes in the school which negatively impact educational standards have been reported to the Commission and have been addressed in a timely manner;
  • Annual membership dues payments are up to date.
An accredited school is expected to:
  • Continue to strive to meet and exceed Standards;
  • Use the standards to measure school improvement;
  • Use the self study and team report as strategic planning documents;
  • Provide teachers and administrators for peer review teams;
  • Review and update the Mission and Expectations to ensure it reflects the purpose of the school;
  • Monitor and be involved in the activities of the Commission and Association; and
  • File appropriate reports.
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