On October 18, 1985, the Texas Association of Non-Public School (TANS) office informed the non-public schools in Texas, the directive from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) that, “non-public” schools are to be dropped from accredited status and no longer be recognized as of July 31, 1986.”
Texas Association of Non-Public School (TANS), in behalf of all non-public schools, is working to establish a group known as the Texas Private School Accreditation Committee (TEPSAC). This would be an umbrella organization for all church/religious accrediting associations approved by TEA.
At the Texas Association of Non-Public School (TANS) meeting held in Houston, Tx., on February 13, 1986, schools were informed that “the Texas Education Agency would recognize one additional accrediting association.”
On February 19, 1986, TANS members were notified; “An organizational and planning meeting of the Texas Association of Accredited Private Schools (TAAPS) would be held on February 25, 1986 in Austin, Tx. This association is being formed to meet the accrediting needs of the Texas non-public schools seeking accreditation under the TEPSAC umbrella.”
TAAPS was incorporated as a non-profit association in May, 1986.
With the assistance of Mr. Ben Branch of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and two former retired TEA private school accrediting agents, the new TAAPS members were trained.
On July 11, 1988, TAAPS received a letter from the Chairman of the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC), written to Dr. William Kirby, Commissioner of Education, Texas Education Agency, requesting the acceptance of the Texas Alliance of Accredited Private Schools as a newly formed private school accrediting association.
Special thanks to founders, Frances Gordon Moses and Iris Burnham.
On October 12, 1988, Dr. Kirby wrote,
“In accordance with that recommendation and under those provisions I hereby declare my official recognition of the Texas Alliance of Accredited Private Schools.”
