The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) is an accrediting organization for private educational institutions in the northeastern United States and around the world. 1 NEASC is a member organization of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the largest network of private schools in the United States. The NAIS has more than 1600 member schools that enroll nearly 700,000 students. 2
Leadership
Cameron C. Staples is the president and chief executive officer of New England Association of Schools and Colleges. He previously served as a Connecticut state representative as a Democrat, as a member of an advisory committee to the United States Senate, and as a lawyer working on medical class-action lawsuits. 3
Financials
In 2020, New England Association of Schools and Colleges raised more than $7.4 million in total revenue. The vast majority came from program service fees, with less than $50,000 coming from donations and grants. 4
Critical Race Theory
In February 2022, the right-of-center law publication Legal Insurrection announced the launch of an investigation into National Association of Independent Schools and its member organizations, which include New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Led by journalist and former teacher Paul Rossi, the investigation centers on the apparent promotion of left-progressive race and gender ideology within NAIS. Legal Insurrection highlighted statements by leading left-progressive activists affiliated with NAIS, as well as curriculum changes which the association expects its member organizations to implement. 5
NAIS has hosted Bettina Love, the co-founder of the radical-left Abolitionist Teaching Network, as a keynote speaker at its “People of Color Conference.” Love’s organization claims that school disciplinary measures are a form of “spirit murder” of minority children. The association has also promoted the writings of radical-left ideologue Ibram X. Kendi, who claims that race-neutral policies are inherently discriminatory. Legal Insurrection alleged that to suppress opposition to its policies and curriculum recommendations, NAIS has recommended that its member schools bar parents from involvement in their school communities and even expel their children and that the association has recommended that school administrators treat dissenting parents and community members as if they are mentally ill. 5
References
- “About NEASC.” New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Accessed February 20, 2022. https://www.neasc.org/about
- “About NAIS.” National Association of Independent Schools. Accessed February 20, 2022. https://www.nais.org/about/about-nais/
- “Cameron C. Staples.” New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Accessed February 20, 2022. https://www.neasc.org/about/team/staff/cameron-staples
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Return of an Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990), 2020. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/46112618/04_2021_prefixes_04-06%2F046112618_202009_990_2021041417945168
- Paul Rossi. “Project Launch: Unmasking National Association of Independent Schools.” Legal Insurrection. February 9, 2022. Accessed February 20, 2022. https://legalinsurrection.com/2022/02/project-launch-unmasking-national-association-of-independent-schools/