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Frequently Asked Questions

Click on any of the questions below to view the answer. You may find additional information when you click on Browse Resources by Topic and/or by completing a Quick Search (see box above).

Accreditation

• How does the accreditation process work?
• What is accreditation and how does my school become accredited?
• What is an accrediting agency?

Admissions

• Does NAIS set guidelines for admissions practices?
• How can I find a list of firms that conduct admissions testing or help with student placement?
• How can my family find out how hard it is to get into a particular school?
• How many schools should we apply to?
• Is it wise to incentivize “word of mouth” marketing by offering current parents a $500 tuition rebate for every new family they refer to the school who enrolls?
• Our school wants to survey parents to learn about why they did or did not enroll their child. Does NAIS have any sample parent surveys?
• The board of my school wants to increase its student population. What is the role of the admissions office in complying with this request?
• We’ve been wait-listed. Now what?
• What deadlines or policies does NAIS set for independent school admissions testing?
• What if we missed the application deadlines?

Annual Conference

• Are there any discounts for exhibitors?
• Can I attend Wednesday only of the Annual Conference?
• Can my school have a table to interview candidates?
• Do you hold a job fair at the Annual Conference?
• How can I find a list of sponsors for the 2011 NAIS Annual Conference?
• How can I get the member rate for the 2011 NAIS Annual Conference in National Harbor, MD (just outside Washington, DC)? I don’t want to pay the nonmember rate.
• How can I market my company to conference attendees?
• How can I sign up to be an exhibitor at the NAIS Annual Conference?
• How can my organization get information on sponsoring an event at the NAIS Annual Conference?
• How do I become an exhibitor?
• How do I get information on booth set-up, furnishings, labor, freight, shipping, and customs?
• How do I know which placement firms will attend the Annual Conference?
• How do I make an appointment with the placement firms?
• How do I obtain a mailing list for my company/organization of individuals registered for the NAIS Annual Conference?
• How do I register for the 2011 NAIS Annual Conference?
• I am a published author and would like to sell my book at the NAIS Annual Conference.
• I am interested in hosting a meeting during your event. How do I obtain space?
• I am interested in obtaining additional copies of the Annual Conference Preview.
• I have some brochures that I want to hand out to conference attendees. Where can I leave them?
• I want a one-day pass ONLY to the Exhibit Hall.
• I want to discuss the Annual Conference registration fees with someone.
• I would like my company to provide services for the 2011 NAIS Annual Conference.
• I would like to submit a request to present a workshop for the Annual Conference.
• Is there an Exhibit Hall at the NAIS Annual Conference? What kind of vendors can I find in the hall?
• My school is interested in having a student group perform at the Annual Conference.
• The value of NAIS conferences
• What are the conference hotels and travel information for the 2011 NAIS Annual Conference?
• What are the registration fees for the 2011 NAIS Annual Conference?
• When will exhibitors receive their mailing lists?
• When will the final Annual Conference program become available?
• Where can my school post a job listing?
• Who attends the NAIS Annual Conference?

Athletics

• Does NAIS set guidelines for athletic programs at independent schools?

Board, Governance

• Does NAIS have any sample bylaws for schools?
• Does NAIS offer any examples of head of school or board evaluation instruments?
• Does NAIS set guidelines for board practices at independent schools?
• How and what do school leaders (head and board chair) communicate when there is a staff member who is terminated or whose contract is not renewed under circumstances that can be disruptive?
• How are independent school boards formed/elected? Should faculty, staff, students, or the Parents Association president be represented on the board?
• How can I locate a consultant who can work with our board on governance issues?
• How can schools break out of their departmental silos and restraints?
• How can trustees encourage risk-taking and innovation in their schools?
• How do boards deal with "conflict" in the school?
• How does an independent school deal with a "renegade" trustee?
• How long should a trustee serve on an independent school board?
• How long should the contract be for the head of school?
• In addition to NAIS, what other organizations offer useful resources for boards of trustees?
• Is it a breach of confidentiality to send board commications to both board members and their assistants?
• Should an independent school board have an education or curriculum committee?
• Should independent school trustees sign a conflict of interest statement before serving on a board?
• Should non-trustees serving on board committees or task forces have a vote?
• Should the Committee on Trustees hold open or closed meetings? Who should be included in the committee?
• Should the head of school be a voting member of the board of trustees?
• Should the head of school serve on the Committee on Trustees and thereby influence board member selection?
• What are the roles and responsibilities of the board and trustees of an independent school?
• What committees should an independent school have on its board?
• What does it mean for a board to be "mission-driven"?
• What does the board do when a parent or group wants to attend a board meeting to advance an agenda? Should board meetings be closed meetings or open meetings?
• What is the typical board composition? What is the ideal size of a board of trustees?
• What level of involvement should the board have in admissions?
• What process should a board use to revise its bylaws and how long should the process take?
• What sort of information should board minutes contain?
• What’s the appropriate process for vetting trustee candidates?
• When should a board go into executive session?
• Where do I get my governance questions answered?
• Where is the line between the full board’s right to participate in the head evaluation and the head’s need to have a smaller group to have more open and intimate conversation?

Career Center

• Can you help me find a job?
• How can I change my Career Center Job Seeker password?
• How can I change my Career Center password?
• How can I post available jobs at my school?
• How can we delete our job ad?
• How can we repost our job ad for another 60 days?
• How do I access jobs posted by other Career Center users at my school or organization?
• How do I apply for a job?
• How do I create a Career Center Job Seeker account?
• How do I edit a job ad?
• How do I edit my school's description/profile?
• How do I make my profile and documents unsearchable? Or how do I delete my entire account?
• How do I search job seeker resumes?
• How do I stop receiving e-mails for job openings?
• How do I update my contact information online?
• How do I upload resumes and cover letters?
• How long will my ad stay up on the website?
• I am employed by a member school, how can I get access to the Career Center?
• I have applied for a job but have not heard from the employer. Is there something wrong?
• I registered as a job seeker with the Career Center, but I am no longer able to login. What am I doing wrong?
• We are not a member school, can we pay to post a job ad?
• We deleted our job ad but are still receiving resumes.
• What is a "Job Agent", and how do I use it?
• What is a Resume Search Agent and how do I use it?
• Who has Career Center access?
• Why have I stopped receiving e-mails about job openings?

Community Service

• Does NAIS provide resources on community service/service learning?

Corporate Subscriber/Companies and Consultants

• Can a consultant be a good resource for a school?
• How do I become a corporate subscriber?

Curriculum Development

• Does NAIS offer resources on curriculum development at independent schools?
• Does NAIS set guidelines for curriculum development at independent schools?
• Where can I find resources on alcohol and drug abuse prevention?

Demographic Center

• How can I print a report?
• How can I save a report?
• How is "Total Population" determined?
• How should I choose which report to use?
• I belong to a member school, but I do not have an NAIS Demographic Center account. How can I get access to this service?
• Is there one specific method of weighting variables in the Profile Analysis tool?
• What are the data sources used in the reports?
• What happens when there is a tie in rankings?
• What is "High Income Average"?
• What is the dominant profile featured on the top of each report?
• Who has access to the NAIS Demographic Center?
• Why can't I find my own town or city or place?
• Why do Block Groups and Census Tracts change?
• Why don't the Ethnicity statistics add up to 100 percent?
• Why is the name of my ZIP Code different from the demographic site's?
• Why isn't my ZIP Code here?

Equity and Justice

• Are there resources especially for students and families of color?
• Can you recommend resources on gay/lesbian issues?
• Does NAIS offer conferences and workshops on equity and justice in independent schools?
• Does NAIS set guidelines for equity and justice at independent schools?
• How are independent schools recruiting teachers of color?
• Where can I find information on diversity programs at independent schools?

Faculty, Head, Administrator Recruitment

• Does NAIS have any sample job descriptions?
• Does NAIS set guidelines for hiring practices at independent schools?
• How can I find a job at an independent school or post available jobs at my school?
• How can I find a list of companies that offer substitute teacher services?
• How can I find a list of search consultants who deal with independent schools?
• I would like to teach in an independent school. Can you send me a list of internships/teaching positions in independent schools?
• We are in the process of conducting a search for a new head of school. Do you have any resources to assist us?
• What is the position of NAIS with regard to teacher certification amongst member schools?
• What principles of good practice on hiring govern the recruitment of staff from rival independent schools?

Financial Aid

• Aren’t independent schools only affordable for rich people?
• Do independent schools get financial aid money from the government?
• Do independent schools give athletic scholarships?
• Do independent schools offer financial assistance to families?
• Does NAIS offer any sort of financial aid to families?
• Does NAIS offer resources to help schools better understand tax returns?
• Does NAIS set guidelines for financial aid practices at independent schools?
• How are Section 529 Plans treated in financial aid review?
• How can I find a list of companies that offer financial aid programs and tuition payment plans for students attending independent schools?
• How can a family afford to take out loans for precollegiate education if they may also need to borrow for college?
• How do independent schools treat non-custodial parents (divorced, separated, etc.) in the financial aid process?
• How do schools look at trust funds in determining financial aid?
• How do schools treat home equity in determining financial aid?
• How do schools treat unemployed spouses when reviewing financial aid applications?
• If my family turned in our financial aid application late, is there any chance more funds may be available later in the year?
• If the schools where a family applies all use the Parents’ Financial Statement, why do they offer the family different amounts of financial aid?
• Isn’t it possible to get scholarships from sources other than the schools themselves?
• What do schools typically allot for their financial aid budgets?
• What does the term “need blind” mean?
• What forms do I use to apply for financial aid?
• What funding sources or scholarships are available to finance an independent school education other than school-based financial aid?
• What information do schools ask for?
• What is the NAIS position on merit-based financial aid?
• What resources does NAIS offer to help an independent school develop a financial aid policy?
• Where can I get more information about financial aid?

Fund Raising, Development

• Are all gifts to an auction charitable deductions?
• Are raffle winners required to pay federal tax on their prizes?
• Are raffles legal?
• Can raffle tickets be mailed?
• Does NAIS set guidelines for fund-raising practices at independent schools?
• Does a donor receive a receipt for a gift to an independent school?
• Does a purchaser of an auction item need any special statement or receipt?
• Does a school need a feasibility study?
• How can I find a list of foundations that support independent schools?
• How can I locate a consultant to help our school conduct a capital campaign?
• How can I locate a consultant to help our school raise money or help our school with its fund-raising program?
• How can a small development staff do it all?
• How can an independent school raise more money?
• How does my school's capital campaign total compare to other schools' campaign totals?
• How does one measure the effectiveness of marketing for advancement and branding towards the end of strengthening student enrollment and constituent giving?
• How should a school select a capital campaign chair?
• How should a school set annual giving goals?
• How should a school set capital campaign goals?
• Must all trustees participate in fund raising?
• What constitutes a pledge?
• What is donative intent?
• What is planned giving and does an independent school need it?
• What is related use?
• What is the largest gift ever to an independent school?
• What role should the school head play in fund raising?
• Where can I find everything I could possibly want to know about auctions and raffles?
• Where can I find information about school endowments?

Independent Schools General Information

• Administrators use the words “educational philosophy” and “educational approach” — but what do they actually mean?
• Are there things we should not do on the school tour and interview?
• Aren’t independent schools known for being homogeneous?
• Can you provide me with a school listing for this (state or regional area)?
• Do you know of any independent schools that are connected to or under the umbrella of a private college or university?
• Does NAIS publish a list of the top independent schools?
• Everyone says you should read the mission statement to understand particular schools better. But don’t they all sound alike?
• How can I obtain additional information on independent schools in my area?
• How can I put what I hear from other parents in perspective?
• How can parents judge the quality of their children’s schools?
• How competitive is admission at NAIS member schools?
• How do I join a listserve?
• How do you define independent school? What is the definition of independent school?
• How many children in the U.S. attend independent schools?
• How many independent school students enrolled this year?
• How many independent schools are there in my state?
• How many independent schools are there in the United States?
• How much has enrollment at NAIS member schools increased in the last 10 years?
• How should students dress for the tour and interview?
• My child has learning disabilities. When and how should I bring this up?
• To whom are independent schools accountable?
• What is the difference between independent schools and other private schools?
• Where can I announce my school's current job openings?

Membership

• How do I become a member of NAIS?
• What are the benefits of joining NAIS?
• What do schools have to do to qualify for membership in NAIS?
• What is the cost to join NAIS?
• Where can I find information about the state and regional associations of independent schools?

NAIS General Information

• Can I get a list of e-mail addresses for NAIS members?
• Can I order mailing labels of NAIS members?
• How do I apply for a position at NAIS?
• How do I change the information about my school displayed in the "School Search" function?
• Is NAIS tax exempt?
• What is NAIS's Federal Tax ID number?

NAIS Publications

• Can I reprint an article from Independent School magazine?
• Do I have the latest edition of an NAIS book?
• How can I access the NAIS member directory?
• How can I buy back issues of Independent School magazine?
• How can I purchase a classified ad or other ad space in Independent School magazine?
• How can I subscribe to Independent School magazine?
• How do I submit manuscripts to Independent School magazine?
• What is the NAIS e-Bulletin?
• Where/how can I purchase an NAIS book?
• Why haven't I received my issue of Independent School magazine?

People of Color Conference (PoCC)

• Is there an Exhibit Hall at the NAIS People of Color Conference (PoCC)?
• Who attends the NAIS People of Color Conference (PoCC)?

Professional Development, Evaluation, Supervision

• Do independent schools offer sabbatical programs for their faculty?
• Does NAIS offer resources on school scheduling?
• How are independent schools recruiting and training new teachers?
• How can I find a list of consultants who deal with faculty evaluation and compensation issues?
• How can I locate mentoring programs for both established and aspiring school heads?
• How do independent schools fund professional development programs?
• The website RateMyTeacher.com attributes several teachers to my school, although they have never been on my staff. Is there any way to eliminate these sites or at least correct their information?
• What kinds of professional development opportunities do independent schools offer their faculty and administrators?
• What professional development opportunities (conferences, workshops, institutes) do regional and state associations offer?

School Management, Business Services

• Does NAIS have advice for planning for emergencies and communicating more effectively during crises?
• Does NAIS have any information on establishing tuition prepayment plans for parents?
• Does NAIS have any sample global or electronic permission slips for schools? Our school wants parents to sign only one permission slip at the beginning of the school year.
• Does NAIS set guidelines for business practices at independent schools?
• How can I find a list of architects that have experience working with independent schools?
• How can I find a list of companies or consultants who can provide marketing or advertising services to our school?
• How can I find a list of companies that can help us manage our student records?
• How can I find a list of companies that deal with building services?
• How can I find a list of companies that deal with campus food service?
• How can I find a list of companies that deal with campus planning?
• How can I find a list of companies that offer administrative and development software designed for independent schools?
• How can I find a list of companies that offer financial services to independent schools?
• How can I find a list of companies that offer grounds and maintenance services?
• How can I find a list of companies that offer insurance to independent schools?
• How can I find a list of companies that offer risk management services to independent schools?
• How can I find a list of consultants who can work with our board to put together an effective compensation package for our school head?
• How can I locate a list of accountants who have experience working with independent schools?
• How do we make the case for net tuition revenue discounting? Both with families and the board?
• How long should I keep student records?
• How long should a school keep non-student records?
• How should a school design a tax-free tuition reduction benefit?
• How should independent schools provide benefits to employees according to the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993?
• Is our school allowed to use a student's photo in one of our publications?
• Is there a recommended percentage for Physical Plant Replacement and Special Maintenance (PPRSM) expense allocation in a school's operating budget?
• Is there a recommended standard on publishing students' names and photos? How is that affected by the child's age?
• What happens if the IRS finds that my tuition reduction plan discriminates in favor of highly compensated employees?
• What is a qualified tuition reduction?
• What is an education record?
• What may a qualified tuition reduction NOT cover?
• When using net tuition revenue discounting, how do you manage expectations from families in subsequent years? How do you build it into your school's budget?

Starting a New School

• How can I start a new school?

Statistics: StatsOnline

• Can my school use StatsOnline (Statistics Online)?
• Can we enter and correct data in past year's StatsOnline surveys?
• Do you have more specific information regarding boarding schools?
• Do you have statistics on diversity at independent schools?
• How much does it cost to use StatsOnline (Statistics Online)?
• I am conducting a research project for my school/organization and would like to access your StatsOnline database.
• What are the Facts at a Glance tables?
• What are the National Tables?
• What is StatsOnline (Statistics Online)?
• What statistics are available in StatsOnline?
• Where can I access statistics?
• Where can I find salary statistics?
• Who has access to StatsOnline (Statistics Online)?
• Why can't I log into StatsOnline?
• Will NAIS still create custom statistical reports as you have in the past?

Strategic Planning

• How can I locate a consultant to help our school conduct a strategic plan?
• What are the steps an independent school should take to draft and implement a strategic plan?

Student Services

• How can I find a list of companies that offer enrichment programs for students?
• How can I find a list of companies that offer international programs for students?
• How can I find a list of companies that offer student travel programs?

Survey Builder

• Can the survey be customized or altered?
• Can the survey response results be filtered based on the role of a survey participant for a given survey?
• How are the results of the survey presented?
• How are the surveys distributed to the survey takers?
• How do I purchase a survey?
• How does the survey process work?
• How long does the survey process last?
• How long should the survey be kept open to get the best results?
• How many times can a school use a survey template after purchasing?
• Is benchmarking available for Survey Center?
• What is a survey filter and how does it work?
• What types of surveys are currently available to purchase and how much do they cost?
• Who is authorized to purchase a Survey Center survey?
• Who takes the surveys?

Tax Treatment of Scholarships

• Are need-based or merit-based scholarships taxable?
• Must a school inform families of possible tax implications of receiving scholarships?
• Should parents of scholarship recipients keep records of expenses?
• Who is responsible for determining whether a scholarship is taxable income?

Teaching and Learning

• Does NAIS set guidelines for teaching practices at independent schools?

Technical

• How can I change my username/password?
• How do I print articles from the website?
• I am from an NAIS member school. Do I have a login ID and password?
• I do not remember my userid and password to login to the NAIS website.
• The NAIS staff e-mail links don't do anything!

Technology in Schools

• How are independent schools using web technologies to assist them with enrollment and fund-raising activities?




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