Rights & Regulations

Obligations under law and regulation
TIEE is and does many things, each of which has laws, regulations, ordinances, and contracts stipulating how it is to operate.  For example, TIEE is a California non-profit corporation [501(c)(3)] and complies with Federal and state non-profit laws and regulations. TIEE is an employer of over 150 teachers, therapists, assistants, and support personnel and complies with Federal and state regulations for employers, including regulations concerning worker safety, human resources, and so forth. TIEE operates four schools, serving approximately 450 students and is in compliance with Federal and state regulations concerning its facilities and its students, their safety, their educational achievement, the curriculum through which they progress, and so on.

State certification means extensive review of compliance
TIEE’s schools are also certified by the California Department of Education as nonpublic, non-sectarian schools. Nonpublic, non-sectarian schools are private schools that have no religious affiliation and that meet extensive qualifications to be certified, ranging from local zoning and fire clearance to teacher qualifications and textbooks. Nonpublic, non-sectarian schools are on the continuum of service to students with special needs and they present school districts with an option to provide Federally required free and appropriate education (FAPE) to students for whom no district program is appropriate to the students’ needs. They must undergo annual recertification and site visits by representatives of the Department of Education every four years or more often if necessary.

Compliance established for TIEE’s schools in recent site reviews
TIEE completed an intensive site review of all of its schools during the 2008-2009 school year. The review included extensive evaluation of contracts and records; site visits; classroom observations; interviews with administrators, teachers, therapists, and assistants; and interviews with students, parents, and school district personnel. All of TIEE’s schools were found to be in compliance with the extensive range of laws, regulations, ordinances, and contracts that dictate how they are to operate. The result of the review was an unqualified recertification of all four of TIEE’s schools.

Commendations extend beyond compliance
Accompanying the state review team was a second team representing the San Diego County Office of Education and the San Diego County Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs), which conducted its own review of TIEE’s schools with an emphasis on the quality of programming. During their exit interview with TIEE personnel, the two review teams praised TIEE’s schools with many commendations, in recognition that TIEE’s schools operate well above what is required by law and regulation.

Some of the many commendations accorded TIEE’s schools were summarized in the written report from the California State Department of Education, as follows:

“The dedicated and caring staff provides a milieu conducive to student learning and growth.”

“The TIEE physical plants are bright cheerful and clean – a positive contributor to the education process.”

“The operation of the program and the teamwork that exists between the staff appears seamless.”

“Teachers and paraprofessionals work together in a supportive manner within all the programs.”

“The excellent data system promotes student success and provides timely feedback to staff.”

“Smart boards have replaced chalkboards and are a valuable, technologically up-to-date tool for teacher and students.”

“Staff reported feeling valued, supported and passionate about teaching.”
“Several teachers reported leaving TIEE for employment in public schools and later returning (despite pay differential) for the sense of teamwork, training and support they receive at TIEE.”

“There’s a high level of collaboration and teamwork; staff development is a high priority.”

“The curriculum is geared toward the learning needs of the individual student.”

“Students are engaged in learning.”

Commendations were also made by the San Diego County NPS Quality Review Team “for staff support/coaching; high level of teamwork (staff is passionate about their work/profession); positive support for students and staff; classroom behavior management systems; ability to meet social emotional needs; strong program identity; and research-based instruction.”

The comments from the two site review teams were very pleasing to us.
We got caught being good!