Glossary Accreditation: A voluntary process that schools may choose to pursue. The various accrediting organizations have specific requirements, standards and guidelines to which each school must adhere. Upon completion, the participating schools receive credentials that maintain the standards for their institution. See more information. ACCS: Association of Classical Christian Schools ACSI: Association of Christian Schools International ACST: Association of Christian Schools of Texas ACTABS: Accreditation Commission of Baptist Schools Additional Schools: An educational facility that currently is not licensed or accredited. Accreditation is NOT MANDATORY in Texas. It is a voluntary process. Affiliation/Organization: A variety of educational associations which are available to schools and individuals by voluntary membership to enhance their professional development. Alternative School: An educational facility that implements an individualized or alternative curriculum to meet specific needs of its students. AMI: Association of Montessori International AMITOT: Association of Montessori International Teachers of Texas AMS: American Montessori Society ASESA: Association of Specialized Elementary School Accreditation Blue Ribbon Award: The Department of Education bestows an elite award for academic excellence to select school facilities. The school candidates are first nominated by state education agencies and undergo a stringent application process that evaluates academic curriculum and test scores in addition to parent involvement activities and student spirit. Once the school has received Blue Ribbon status, they maintain credibility for academic excellence. There is a six-year time restraint before the educational institution may resubmit for recognition of Blue Ribbon status CASE: Council for the Advancement and Support of Education CCMS: Child Care Management Services COPSES: Council of Private Specialized Educational Services Curriculum Alternative: An educational facility that implements a specialized curriculum that is unique to that school DAEYC: Dallas Association for the Education of Young Children ICAA: International Christian Accrediting Association IMS: International Montessori Society ISAS: Independent School Association of the Southwest LSAC: Lutheran Accreditation Commission MACTE: Montessori Accreditation Council for Teachers in Education Montessori: An educational facility that implements Maria Montessori's philosophy of early childhood education. NAEYC: National Association for the Education of Young Children NAIS: National Association of Independent Schools NAPCIS: National Association of Private Catholic Independent Schools NCACS: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools NCSA: National Christian Schools Association of America Non-public/private school: An institution that educates its students according to its own curriculum. Schools operate under a profit or non-profit status. NLSA: National Lutheran Association Public school: A school or educational institution supported by taxation from local or state sources SACS: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools SAES: Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools SAILS: Schools with Alternative and Independent Learning Strategies SECA: Southern Early Childhood Association TAAPS: Texas Alliance of Accredited Private Schools TACLD: Texas Association of Children with Learning Disabilities TAEYC: Texas Association for the Education of Young Children TANS: Texas Association of Non-Public Schools TAPS: Texas Association of Private Schools TCCED: Texas Catholic Conference Education Department TDPRS: Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (Requires child care programs to meet minimum standards and guidelines in order to be licensed) TEA: Texas Education Agency TEPSAC: Texas Private School Accreditation Commission TSDA: Texas Seventh-day Adventist School System