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Approval Process

Draft Document

The content below is in draft form, and is subject to change. The final version will be posted by January 1, 2010.

Prepare to apply

Before you apply for approval, follow these steps:

Verify that your organization qualifies as a multi-district online provider using the "Who Gets Reviewed?" form. Contact us if you have questions.
Review the approval process timeline.
Review the approval criteria and assurances.

Apply

The final versions of the criteria, process, application form, and directions for submittal will be posted here by December 31, 2009. The application will be entirely web-based, and will allow applicants to edit their application as many times as they wish prior to the deadline.

Applications are due January 31, 2010 by 5:00 pm for the Spring 2010 Approval Cycle.

The application form includes the following sections:

Contact information.
Background information, including basic information about the provider and the provider’s business.
Provider data, including student-to-teacher ratios, completion rates, and passing rates, as required by SSB 5410.
Certificate of assurances.
Supporting documentation for criteria, including documents and/or links provided by the applicant to assist the review committee when scoring the application.
Access information, including login credentials to provider systems.

At least five reviewers will review each application. Committee members will score the applications against the criteria. OSPI staff will then compile and average the scores from the committee. Applicants must meet a set score in order to be recommended for approval. OPSI staff will submit the scores and approval recommendations to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for final approval.

After the approval process

Applicants will be notified before April 1, 2010 of the status of the review, including specific feedback on criteria that did not pass the review, and the appeal process and timelines for applications that did not pass the review.

Upon approval, approved providers are:

Displayed on the approved providers list.
Subject to the monitoring and rescindment processes.
Required to initiate their renewal no later than the approval window in their fourth year of approved status in order to maintain approval into the following year.

Grandfathered Providers

Learn about the criteria for grandfathered providers.