Since 2008, the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) has annually bestowed upon qualified licensed private special education schools throughout the United States the distinction of being selected as a NASET School of Excellence.  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.

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NASET annually completes a 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.

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Eligibility Criteria for NASET Schools of Excellence

The following are the 13 eligibility criteria a private special education school must meet to be a NASET School of Excellence:

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• Licensure: All NASET Schools of Excellence must be licensed by their respective State Department of Education.

• Licensure of Professionals: All NASET Schools of Excellence employ special education professionals who are certified or licensed in their respective professions.

• Student Population: All NASET Schools of Excellence educate students with disabilities and or disorders.  This includes, but is not limited to, individuals diagnosed with:

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Autism

Deaf-Blindness

Developmental Delays

Emotional Disturbance

Health Impairments

Hearing Impairments (Including Deafness)

Learning Disabilities

Intellectual Disabilities

Multiple Disabilities

Orthopedic Impairments

Speech and Language Impairments

Traumatic Brain Injury

Visual Impairments

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• Enrollment Size: All NASET Schools of Excellence are schools dedicated to meeting the individual and unique needs of their students.

• Staff/Student Ratio: All NASET Schools of Excellence have a very small Staff/Student Ratio.

• Age of Students: All NASET Schools of Excellence serve a student age population, with all students being between 3 and 21 years of age.

• 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

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• 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.

• Length of Operations: All NASET Schools of Excellence have been in existence for at least 5 or more years.

• Number of Months Open: All NASET Schools of Excellence are open a minimum of 10 months out of the calendar year.

• Multiculturalism: All NASET Schools of Excellence seek to provide a multicultural environment.

• Affiliations and Memberships: All NASET Schools of Excellence are affiliated and/or have memberships in other professional associations and organizations.

• Admissions Procedures: All NASET Schools of Excellence have a specific admission's procedure that they follow and adhere to in accepting the students in their programs.