NewsletterThe NTAAC NEWSLETTER is published and distributed periodically for the purposes of..... Establishing & maintaining an affordable, frequent and meaningful interface within the Private School Educational Community at large. To post notices regarding Training Seminars & Conferences. To inform Members & Prospective Members of NTAAC Programs & Services. To publish meaningful Articles on issues that concern Private School Administrators, Teachers & Staff. To provide an Editorial forum for Endorsed Associate Member Service Professionals and offer a cost effective means to distribute information regarding their approved Offering, Brochures & Product Information. These Groups must first qualify to be Endorsed and offer a Product or Service that has been authorized by the Board of Directors. Such Endorsement, we believe, will favorably impact and be welcomed by, NTAAC affiliated Private Schools, their Teachers, Staff & Students. Comments, suggestions and editorial submissions are welcome and will be acknowledged, however, not guaranteed to be to be published. Specific information concerning page size, number of copies produced, geographic distribution, frequency of publication, insertion rates, production requirements, deadlines, terms & conditions, back issues, and the like may be addressed by e-mail selection at the end of this page. What is the difference between Private Schools vs Public Schools? Standardized Testing and Assessment.....What is it all about? A Parents checklist for Evaluating Private Schools. Accreditation....how does it work?Parents.....What do they look for in a Private School?It's a given that many in the Private School Industry feel that its existence is largely due to the failings of the much maligned Public School System. It's also a pretty good bet that many Private School Operators feel that, they alone, offer the very best educational alternative for the inquiring Parent, who is seeking educational options, for their precious Student.
Who would go against the idea that other Private Schools in the area, offer a fine and appropriate curriculum, have a sound philosophy and constantly turn out a quality Student populous?
However, isn't it true that deep down inside, most admissions personnel would wish us to believe that their Private School is truly the very finest in existence and offers the greatest opportunity, for the Student to become educated, enriched and ultimately prepared to best function, within our Society?
Let us for a few moments look at the Private School offering from the vantage point of the inquiring Parent. After all, isn't the final decision regarding enrollment left to the Parent, who produces the Student and is expected to pay the tuition? Let us explore... Just what are the Parents looking for, anyway?
First, we should realize that to each Parent the Child/Student is a very special person. For some, yet to be revealed, reason or circumstance, the Parent is considering options for the education of their Child. The reasons and situation are as varied and diverse as there are choices of Private Schools from which to choose. Perhaps the child is gifted, has a learning disability, is physically handicapped or has a behavior problem. There are also cases where the Parent desires the Child to be educated in a specific religious or cultural environment.
The motivation could be to access a specific location, desire for an upscale environment, military training or any of a dozen other factors may play a part, in the selection of a Private School. If the Parent is convinced that your Private School can address their primary concern, whatever it is, then you indeed have a prospect for admission.
Second, The tuition issue. Almost invariably the conversation turns to "how much is the tuition?" Most Parents discuss this issue in the same vein as going for a root canal. The tuition issue is of major concern, however, as Parents must budget these funds.
Tuition is typically based on several factors, such as the customary "going rate" for the type of Private School, in a given geographic area. Other factors may be considered which tend to satisfy the tuition & Fees issue i.e., books, supplies, comfort, security, reputation and included amenities. Also, the availability and complexity of extracurricular activities, grounds, equipment, the completeness of the library and laboratory facilities, also may come into play.
Tuition can often be enhanced through payment plans, scholarships, grants, interest bearing loans, prepaid tuition discounts and tradeoffs. That is, between the Private School and the Parent offering professional services, in exchange for Student tuition.
The bottom line may be that those Private Schools who are flexible and creative where tuition is concerned, are far more likely to attract and maintain Students, than those who are not. This is not to say that the admissions office should, "give away the farm", to the detriment of the financial security of the School. Parents simply appreciate that you are willing to be open minded and creative, concerning tuition.
Third, sometime after the tuition issue has been resolved, the discussion usually turns to Accreditation. Parents instinctively know and are concerned, if not downright prompted, to make inquiries regarding this issue. The reasons for this can be complex, however for our purposes it is safe to assume that most people learn to associate professionalism, ethics and quality with Accreditation when it comes to an Institution. No matter if that Institution is a University, Hospital or Private School. You are either Accredited, in the process of Accreditation or not Accredited, period. An affirmative response to the inquiry is a definite plus, in the eyes of the Parent, transfer institutions, standardized testing agencies, grantors, the military and curriculum providers.
Fourth, the issue of Teacher Certification is high on the list of the inquiring Parents concerns. Parents are concerned that those who function as Teacher, posses the necessarily formal education, knowledge in the subject area taught, emotional and mental stability and exhibit traits of character, plus the necessarily experience, to get the job accomplished.
Having these desirous traits enables the Teacher to have a lasting and positive influence on the Student. There are no guarantees that a Certified Teacher has and maintains the above characteristics. However, the Teacher Certification process is designed to insure, at the very least, minimum standards for the classroom teacher exist and Certification provides a "system" that can identify and censure those who do not meet the appropriate criteria. This is often accomplished through suspension and/or revocation, of the Teaching Certificate and provides opportunities for continuing education for the Teacher.
Historically, a Teacher was Certified by the State or not Certified at all. That was, up until recently, only the State Certified Teachers.
Today, there exists a pilot program which enables the Private School Classroom Teacher to become certified, within the non-public Private School environment.
However, the State may not automatically recognize the Private School Teaching Certificate in the event that the Private School Industry Certified Teacher may apply for a public school teaching position.
The Parent, which is the primary focus of our concern, should come to enjoy a sense of confidence in knowing that the Private Non-public School has a choice in hiring equally qualified individuals for teaching positions, whether they are State Certified or Industry Certified, rather than not certified at all.
Today, the Private School has the option to choose to have its Teachers Certified within the Private School industry, itself.
Thereby, preserving the unique and diverse quality of the Private School traditions, without State intervention.
Fifth, Parents are concerned with the physical environment that their Child/Students function in, while under the Private Schools supervision.
Parents query: are safe guards in place to insure the physical safety, security and well being of the my Student? Are there established policies against sexual harassment and molestation? Is public access limited and are Students supervised at all times? Is the School properly insured? Is someone available, at all times, who is trained in emergency procedures? The list could go on, endlessly. Suffice it to say, that to a Parent, the inner workings of a Private School often mean, as much as, the education it offers.
Parents state that the primary measure of their level of comfort for the area of safety and security lies in the "gut feelings" and is supported by a liberal open door policy, access to Teachers and Staff, records, the classroom and the Campus facilities.
Sixth, Parents frequently take issue with and are concerned as, to the value and public acceptance of the individual Private Schools claims and validity. Simply stated, are the Diploma and Transcripts worth the paper they are written on to those who rely on them at face value?
Will transfer institutions accept the documents? Does the Army, Community College, neighboring public school system, etc. frequently and freely honor the Students request for transfer from the Private School without a hassle? Or, are the Students requested to "test out"and the parents sent away in terror, believing that they have wasted a year or more of their child's life in the Private School?
Are there problems from outsiders who negatively communicate through verbal and written innuendo, causing Parents to doubt the acceptance of the Private School, its curriculum, philosophy and offering?
The Parent desires, nay demands, to be satisfied that the Private School under consideration has a good reputation, reliable references and universal acceptability. This issue can be addressed in the form of referrals from other Parents and Students who have had a past relationship with the Private School. The Private School may offer the inquiring Parent a scrapbook and News articles, as well as, other examples of long-standing community involvement and acceptance, to satisfy this need. In short, offer examples of past successes and direct the Parent to seek out the opinions of others and visit the admissions requirements of the proposed transfer situation, well prior, to the actual transfer, to address then soften any negative impact.
Finally, your Private School is invariably being considered, along with others, that the Parent has interviewed. Each admissions person is much focused on his/her own Schools intricate details and enhancements. Important as they are, to the success of your School, the potential Student and inquiring Parent; let us consider for comparison purposes that Parents do desire and expect that your Private School meets or exceeds the accepted rule of function in every case. The Curriculum, Philosophy, Staff to Teacher Ratio, Tables and Chairs, Desks, Books and the like, are a given to the Parent. It is the inner need that needs to be satisfied at the conclusion of the admissions interview.
Your initial catering to the inherent inner needs and concerns of the inquiring parent, well in advance, of the actual enrollment interview, should prepare you to address those issues critical to the Parent and put you, well on your way, to understanding.... just what is the Parent looking for in a Private School?What to consider when choosing an Insurance Agent.....How to obtain information in a not-intimidating way? Largely Condensed from Tampa Bay Business JournalOne of the most important decisions made prior to the insurance purchase/renewal process is whom you will use as your insurance representative.
Typically, the decision process is not held in as high an esteem as compared to choosing an accountant or attorney, however, the bottom line costs of your insurance program warrants a comprehensive approach in selecting the correct insurance agent (s) for your Private School.
* **At this point, (for legal reasons), It should be made clear that NTAAC in not a licensed insurance agency, has no licensed insurance agents in its' employ, and is not qualified to offer insurance advice. NTAAC does not become involved in the relationship between its' Members or prospective Members and properly licensed insurance agents. NTAAC specifically, is not soliciting insurance business and does not share in the commission relationship between the Private School and any properly Licensed insurance agent. NTAAC has no knowledge regarding the complexities, legalities and requirements concerning the promotion of insurance services, in general and the insurance environment, in specific. It is the sole desire of NTAAC to provide resource & referral information for the purposes of acquainting its' Members, prospective Members and Associate Members with one another through NTAAC's resource and services.
That said.... The conventional choice of insurance agents is largely divided between direct writers and independent insurance agents. As their name suggests, direct writer agents are employees of the insurance carrier.
In comparison, an independent agent is licensed to write insurance coverage with a multitude of insurance carriers. Independent agents are usually employees of an insurance agency.
The ultimate decision between a direct writer and an independent agent is based on what services each brings to the table. Each type of agent provides certain strengths. Several of the strengths of a direct writer may include a large sales force, offices that are usually geographically located though out the United States and claims/loss control services that are highly touted by direct writers.
Weaknesses of a direct writer could include a lack of an impartial representative between the carrier and the client because the agent is an employee of the insurance carrier. Also, direct writer agents often are generalizers and may lack knowledge in specialty insurance areas. They tend to specialize in "main street" business and may not be a market for your Private School if their program does not fit the parameters of your specific Schools' needs.
The independent agency system may provide your Private School with several important strengths. Those include the ability to present your unique situation to more than one insurance company, provide you with a more complete overview of the insurance marketplace and assist you in the ability to market your insurance coverage to a variety of insurance companies in order to create the broadest coverage and get you the most economical premiums. The independent may also match your business philosophy with a particular insurance carrier's philosophy.
The usual approach to starting the insurance purchase/renewal process begins with the selection of one or more agents. In most cases, a maximum of three agents quoting your insurance is recommended. More than three agents could create confusion in terms of analyzing prospective proposals. Three or fewer agents are quite capable of canvassing the marketplace for you.
You are also encouraged to determine what specific insurance carriers each agent expects to contact. The best way to complete this task is to request a complete list of specific carriers, by name, from each agent.
Your assistance in the direction of the process will help to eliminate market confusion and provide your Private School with a comprehensive insurance package.
Another key aspect of the process is to provide consistent data to all prospective agents.
Next, it is recommended that you request the agent to furnish an RFP (request for proposal). That document outlines specific coverage, policy terms, liability limits, deductibles and other pertinent information and policy enhancements.
Be prepared to furnish a computer run of historical loss data as compiled by the current and prior insurance carriers, typically five years.
In addition to the loss data, historical premium information is useful for analyzing the profitability of your account over time.
A sophisticated agent will offer to renew your existing insurance portfolio. This type of service is quite beneficial and can provide you with an informed opinion of your current program.
Use as many free services that are available from a prospective agent.
Near the final decision in the purchase/renewal process is selecting which program(s) you choose and which agent (s) receive your business.
Many clients view pricing as the ultimate deciding factor when determining a final choice. Obviously, this is an important factor, but this should not be the only factor.
Challenge your current agent or prospective agent to provide some type of value added service to you in addition to the insurance coverage requested in the RFP, such as service contact schedules, claims intervention and loss control assistance.
One piece of parting advice. Before it's all said and done and before you collapse or run yourself and your staff ragged, Consider contacting the Offices of NTAAC and we will put you in direct contact with a Properly licensed and Endorsed Associate Member who specializes in Private School Insurance or Employee Benefits.The Educational Association....What to Expect? Are you getting your moneys worth?Article Reprinted from the National Private Schools Association Resource Center Newsletter)When we chose to become involved in a Professional Educational Association is it for companionship, partnership, or camaraderie? Are we seeking to connect in thought, enjoy a quality of being associated or do we enjoy sharing a common interest or purpose? Perhaps you, have some other reason in mind, for considering Membership in a Professional Educational Association.
The Association (s) we ultimately choose to join may function on a Local, State, Regional or even National level. The amount of money that we are expected to pay as dues could be confusing when viewed from the context of our expectations. Questions arise such as; How much is too much? Why are the dues so low? How can they provide meaningful services with so little to operate on?
Most of us have an expectation of benefits and services to be gained from joining an Educational Association and are willing to pay the fair market rate for these benefits and services. However, unless the Association delivers to our expectations on a regular and continuing basis, we sometimes become disenchanted and can take the attitude of: What have you done for me lately, or what's in it for me to continue the relationship?
A good Educational Association is sensitive to the Private Schools needs and maintains a pulse on current and ongoing issues. A good Association is there for you when you need quick counsel and is able to provide access to equipment & supplies at a bargain rate. A good Association should not endeavor to sell you an endless line of products and services. Rather, it should be there when you need a service and realize that you need it now! A good Educational Association should turn "What have you done for me lately?" Into, "How can we be of service to you, today?" In short, a good Association is there for you when you need them.
You should not hesitate to use the services of the Association on a regular basis. After all, that is truly why you pay the dues. After all, you deserve to get your moneys worth, don't you?
Although, the field of Educational Associations from which to choose, number in the hundreds, membership dues range from a few dollars to several hundreds of dollars annually. A recent survey of Private Schools Owner/Administrators suggests that the top services desired and benefits to be gained from joining or affiliating and supporting an Educational Association are:
Student Referral
The Association should have a system whereby it maintains a profile of the Private Schools uniqueness and positions itself to the public in a way that it is able to match and refer inquiring parents and students with the best Private School for their situation.
Teacher Referral
The Association should have a system whereby it maintains a profile of qualified teachers and is able to make a match with inquiring Private Schools.
Private School Accreditation
The Association should have a vehicle to Accredit Private Schools. The accrediting process should be affordable, not to time consuming, demanding or dictatorial. The accreditation process should be broad enough so as to recognize the Private Schools uniqueness 'in philosophy and curriculum' and also be acceptable to those institutions who rely upon accreditation to measure a Private Schools commitment to the educational environment.
Private School Teacher Certification
The Association should provide a system whereby a Teacher working within the Private Non-public School environment may achieve professional recognition for his/her accomplishments, dedication and contributions to the educational industry.
Resource & Referral Hotline
The Association should make available facsimile and telephone lines that are open to the members and potential members, for the purpose of obtaining information, procurement of equipment and supplies, fielding questions and ideas, as well as assisting in obtaining whatever information and products the member requires, in a timely manner. In short, a help-line that can and does offer assistance, now!
Seminars, Newsletters and Conferences
The Association should offer scheduled, periodic opportunities which enable the Private School educators to participate in a hands on situation, to assemble and communicate in a free and open forum and to assist the Private School Administrators in understanding and sharing in the uniqueness and complexities of the Private School environment.
Membership Directory
The Association should publish and distribute a Handbook of Private Schools Directory for the purposes of providing information to interested third parties about the individual Private School in specific and about the Private School Industry in general. The Directory should be in sufficient quantity and distributed widely and at locations that are appropriate to satisfy the needs of the inquiring public.
Although there exists many fine Educational Associations from which to choose, The National Private Schools Association Resource Center (NTAAC) was specifically chartered as an entity to provide you with these specific benefits and services . You are invited to revisit these materials and are encouraged to enjoy the many benefits of belonging to the National Private Schools Association Resource Center.Owning a Membership in NTAAC is the right thing to do for for yourself and your Private School!
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