NASET SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE
This year, the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) is bestowing upon qualified licensed private special education schools throughout the United States the distinction of being selected as a NASET School of Excellence for the 2008-2009 school year. Selection as a NASET School of Excellence is the highest honor a private special education school can achieve through our professional association. The recognition is bestowed on private special education schools that meet rigorous professional criteria and have demonstrated truly exceptional dedication, commitment and achievement in the field of special education.
NASET has now begun its screening process of various private special education schools in the United States. Upon preliminary review, certain select schools will be notified that they appear to meet the criteria as NASET Schools of Excellence. Upon notification, the schools will need to complete an application form for verification of the information obtained by NASET.
See a list of Schools of Excellence for 2008-2009 - CLICK HERE
The following are the 13 eligibility criteria a private special education school must meet to be a NASET School of Excellence:
I. Licensure: All NASET Schools of Excellence must be licensed by their respective State Department of Education.
II. Licensure of Professionals: All NASET Schools of Excellence employ special education professionals who are certified or licensed in their respective professions.
III. Student Population: All NASET Schools of Excellence educate students with disabilities and or disorders. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals diagnosed with:
| Autism | Deaf-Blindness |
| Developmental Delays | Emotional Disturbance |
| Health Impairments | Hearing Impairments (Including Deafness) |
| Learning Disabilities | Mental Retardation |
| Multiple Disabilities | Orthopedic Impairments |
| Speech and Language Impairments | Traumatic Brain Injury |
| Visual Impairments |
IV. Enrollment Size: All NASET Schools of Excellence are schools dedicated to meeting the individual and unique needs of their students.
V. Staff/Student Ratio: All NASET Schools of Excellence have a very small Staff/Student Ratio.
VI. Age of Students: All NASET Schools of Excellence serve a student age population, with all students being between 3 to 21 years of age.
VII. Related Services: All NASET Schools of Excellence provide various types of related services for their students including, but not limited to:
| Audiology | Cochlear Implant Services |
| Counseling | Deaf Community Interaction |
| Evening Tutorial Program | Local Mainstreaming opportunities |
| Occupational Therapy | Physical Therapy |
| Psychological Services | Speech, Sign Language Services |
| Transportation | Vocational Evaluation |
VIII. Curriculum: All NASET Schools of Excellence ensure that students receive a well rounded curriculum to meet the specific needs of each individual student with a disability.
IX. Length of Operations: All NASET Schools of Excellence have been in existence for at least 10 or more years.
X. Number of Months Open: All NASET Schools of Excellence are open a minimum of 10 months out of the calendar year.
XI. Multiculturalism: All NASET Schools of Excellence seek to provide a multicultural environment.
XII. Affiliations and Memberships: All NASET Schools of Excellence are affiliated and/or have memberships in other professional associations and organizations.
XIII. Admissions Procedures: All NASET Schools of Excellence have a specific admissions procedure that they follow and adhere to in accepting the students in their programs.
All private special education schools that are distinguished as a NASET School of Excellence will receive a certificate of this honor. They will also be included on our website and the website of The National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education (www.napcse.org) as a NASET School of Excellence (If you would like an engraved plaque for parents, students, teachers, and administrators to see proudly hanging in your school, one can be ordered).
All NASET School of Excellence applications for the 2008-2009 academic year must be received by June 1, 2008 (EXTENDED TO JUNE 30, 2008).
There is an application processing fee (peer review of materials) of $250.00 required of all candidates for the NASET School of Excellence. ***Please note that if your school is not selected as a NASET School of Excellence, the entire processing fee of $250.00 will be returned to you.
For more information, contact us at 1-800-754-4421 ext.106 or email to awards@naset.org
If you believe your school meets the Eligibility Criteria and you would like to apply as a NASET School of Excellence., please use the links below to download the applications and eligibility criteria below.
NASET Schools of Excellence Application - Part 1 (Required)
NASET Schools of Excellence Application - Part 2 (Required)
Eligibility Criteria - (Optional Download)
To Download, right click on the llink and choose "save target as" or "save as".