The superintendent of public instruction shall provide reimbursement pursuant to contractual agreements with certified centers. Contracts may be awarded by the superintendent of public instruction to private educational institutions which (1) are certified as education centers by the state board of education pursuant to chapter 180-95 WAC, (2) are nonsectarian, (3) are financially sound pursuant to WAC 180-95-020(8), (4) are capable of fulfilling their educational commitment and (5) demonstrate past superior performance. Superior performance shall be based upon consideration of individual educational gains achieved by students, the backgrounds of those students, and the cost effectiveness of the center's program, as follows:

(a) Educational gains shall be evaluated by considering:

(1) Measured increases in academic achievement as determined by instruments approved by the superintendent of public instruction, and

(2) The student's subsequent participation in constructive activities, such as enrollment in a common or private school, employment, attendance at an institution of higher or vocational education, or military service.

(b) In evaluating educational gains, consideration shall be given to those factors in each student's background which might tend to reduce the cost effectiveness of those educational gains.

(c) In determining cost effectiveness of any education center, the cost of services provided to students shall be computed by taking into consideration the reasonable value of all sources of support which are used in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, to provide services to students, including payments made under this chapter, and for nonprofit centers, tax exemptions and any other costs to taxpayers at any level of government which result from such nonprofit status.