Consultant Visitation Program
Revised March 3, 2014

The GAC Board of Directors approves a list of former school personnel to serve as consultants.

1. Effective July 1, 2012: Schools, centers and agencies seeking initial GAC accreditation are required to host three consultant visits:

A. Year One:  Select a consultant to work with the school, agency or center during the application, initial visitation and recommendation phase and the first year of accreditation. The consultant will serve as a guide to assist in the process of becoming fully accredited. The consultant may recommend the school, center or agency for Provisional accreditation only for not more than two years. If the consultant does not recommend Provisional accreditation, the school, center or agency will not be accredited by the GAC.

B. Year Two:  The school, center or agency must host a visit consisting of two consultants including the initial consultant.  If application is for Pre-K, a Pre-K director must visit instead of the second consultant.  A GAC board member may visit in place of a consultant.  The visiting committee may recommend any accreditation status other than Provisional. If the visiting committee does not recommend accreditation, the school, center or agency will no longer be accredited by the GAC.

C. Year Three:  The school, center or agency must host a visit by the original consultant from year one of accreditation. The consultant may recommend the school, center or agency for any accreditation status other than Provisional for a period of three years for Non-Traditional Educational Centers or five years for all other schools and agencies.

2. Consultants may visit at any time during the school year; however, consultant reports must be received prior to February 14 in order for the school to be accredited during the current school year and the next school year. Reports of visits made after the spring meeting of the GAC may be presented at the fall meeting of the Commission. Reports to be considered at the fall meeting must be received by August 15.

3. Schools failing to have the consultant visit in the year scheduled will be dropped one level in status.

4. All schools are expected to have the services of a consultant at least once every three to five years. Systems with a large number of schools may arrange with the GAC Executive Director for the services of more than one consultant.

5. The consultant’s fee is $300 per day plus travel expenses. Travel expenses include mileage at the State rate and personal costs (lodging and meals), if any.  Note: The school may hire one or more GAC-approved consultants to help the school begin the process.