Once a school earns SAIS accreditation, it is required to remain in compliance for the five-year accreditation period and to provide confirmation of compliance at the two-year mark. SAIS takes very seriously all non-compliance inquiries against member schools. All inquiries are investigated to the level possible by SAIS.
It should be understood that SAIS has limited jurisdiction and is able to prescribe remedies to member schools based solely upon compliance with accreditation standards and membership criteria. SAIS does not have legal authority over member schools. The sole influence that SAIS possesses is through the insistence that accreditation standards be maintained. This limitation, however, should not be interpreted as a lack of concern from the SAIS staff or board.
Upon receipt and verification of a non-compliance report, the school will be given an opportunity to respond. The inquiry, response, and any subsequent written correspondence on the matter may be made available to the accreditation visiting team chair at the time of the school’s next visit. However, an immediate investigative visit to the school may be undertaken if the response by the school is unsatisfactory or an accumulation of inquiries indicates that a school’s response is inconsistent with a preponderance of evidence.
If a school’s practices are bordering on non-compliance, the discussion triggered by an inquiry is often a catalyst to remedy such practices. It is our first desire that any practices deemed non-compliant be corrected.
In the event that a school is not compliant, a series of actions will be undertaken with the school such as but not limited to:
Non-Compliance Submission Form
