The Vermont State Board of Education adopted new standards for its public schools in August, 1984. This guide was prepared to assist schools in preparing for, and undergoing, the school approval process, a process which is voluntary for the first two years of its implementation. Section I presents and explains the procedure in the school approval process from selection of schools through the Board's decision about approval status. Section II presents the school's responsibilities, the reporting process, and suggestions for preparation for the visiting team review. Section III of the guide is the Self-Assessment Questionnaire which deals with the following topics: school climate; graduation requirements and basic competencies; general academic requirement; subject area standards; assessment of school performance; school leadership; staff development; and facilities, health services, and school records. The responses to this instrument become the self assessment report which must be prepared and submitted in advance of the visiting team's site visit. The final section is an appendix containing suggestions for data sources which should be considered for analysis and inclusion in the self assessment report. (DWH)