What Are the Curriculum Standards at Private Schools?

Whether you are just beginning to think about your child’s education or you are about to start your private school, you may be wondering what curriculum standards are available at private schools. This is an important question because, as a parent, you want to make sure that your child is learning the subjects that are required by law. You may also want to know whether qualified teachers teach your child. Below are some of the curriculum standards at private schools.

Common Core

Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or just curious, you’ve probably heard about the Common Core Curriculum Standards. Based on a national set of standards, these new standards will be taught in public schools starting in the fall. However, they could also impact private schooling. Some private schools might dislike them, and others might embrace them.

One of the major changes with the new standards is the math component. Teachers will have to modify their instruction to meet the new standards. This means students will have to understand the reasoning behind their answers. It also means that the math component will be significantly more difficult.

Many teachers also argue that the test questions are too challenging for their students. Many teachers reported that the questions were too advanced and that the test booklets had mistakes.

The Common Core’s math component has been the biggest criticism. Teachers worry that students will be disadvantaged when they graduate high school.

But some teachers and administrators are defending the new standards. They claim that students will be better prepared for college if they learn to think critically and are better able to tackle real-world problems.

But many critics of the Common Core worry that the corporate interests behind the standards are behind the whole effort. They believe that Core is a top-down approach to education reform.

Some Republican governors urge the federal government to step back and allow states to develop their standards. This will help to prevent Common Core from taking over the country’s education.

Accrediting associations

Although more than 75 private school associations dot the landscape, a new entrant on the accrediting scene may be on the way. A council representative has already made a beeline for several state capitols and is confident that a charter is in the works. So what is it that makes this particular group tick? In a nutshell, it has the mission of providing quality accreditation to private schools in the United States. Among the groups, more than a dozen are charter members are the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), the National Independent Private Schools Association (NIPSA), the National Christian School Association (NCSA), and the Kentucky Nonpublic Schools Commission (KNPC).

The council has received numerous applications for charter membership, but only about half have been approved. As of press time, there were four charter members and five candidates. The council rolled out the welcome mat in style. It has already begun forming ties with state governments and received numerous awards from the private school industry.

The council has also awarded several smaller grants for smaller groups. One of these is the NCSIA mentioned above, which is currently undergoing a rebranding ceremony. The group has also been awarded two other major awards, one for the best new member of the association and the other for the best state representative. The group is now in good standing and on its way to a successful accreditation process.

CCSS

A handful of private schools are opting to adopt the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) or are blending their curriculum with the standards. But these private schools have the right to adopt standards that are right for their students and mission.

Private schools can opt not to adopt the standards, but there is a risk that students will be denied access to federal funding if they graduate from a school that does not comply with the standards. Higher education entities, including some universities, will likely consider transcripts when deciding whether to admit students. They will also consider whether or not the students have done well on SAT/ACTs.

The National Catholic Educational Association has surveyed Roman Catholic dioceses and found that students who attended private, faith-based schools did better on college entrance tests than those who attended public schools. While private schools may choose whether or not to adopt the standards, there will be pressure to include them in public schools.

The CCSS are being incorporated into some private schools’ curricula, while others are waiting for the standards to reach them. The leaders of these schools say they like the flexibility of the CCSS.

The Catholic School Standards Project has also encouraged local dioceses to adopt the Core. The El Paso Diocese in Texas signaled that it would adopt the standards last spring.

The National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) are developing new standards. The standards aim to create a uniform standard for kindergarten through high school students.

Some textbook publishers are already adapting their material to fit the standards. More education suppliers must adjust their wares to align with the Common Core.

SATs and ACTs

ACT and SAT are curriculum standards at private schools, but they also differ. They are both designed to test students’ skills in mathematics and English. However, both tests have differences in structure, content, and scoring.

A writing test is optional on the ACT, administered five times a year. A multiple-take course costs $55. It lasts two hours and 55 minutes. Schools in the Ivy League typically accept ACT scores.

In contrast, the College Board offers the SAT. It is the standard admissions test for private colleges in the northeastern United States. It includes an optional essay, which reduces the maximum possible score to 1600. That test will also be scored individually, with 1051 being the average score.

The ACT is also undergoing a significant overhaul. Starting in October, calculators will be allowed in the test’s math section. It also includes a 30-minute writing test. There will also be a new science sub-test that tests analytical problem-solving skills.

This assessment is on par with the Common Core State Standards. While parochial schools may not like the Common Core, they may need to teach it to prepare their students. The new version of the ACT is called “Enhanced ACT.”

The new ACT includes a science sub-test that emphasizes specific scientific knowledge and analytical problem-solving skills. It is also available in paper-and-pencil format.

There will be no essay-based exams in the future. The English section will focus on writing skills and place less emphasis on grammar. The test will also include passages from the Founding Documents. Graphs will accompany some.

Conclusion

As you can see, private schools have a lot of flexibility regarding their curriculum standards. This allows them to tailor their programs to suit better their student’s needs and the job market demands. While this can be beneficial, it’s important to do your research before enrolling in a private school to ensure that their curriculum aligns with your goals. If you are looking for more information, visit us at JAG Consulting Services.