2255 Alternative Learning Experience Programs

The Board authorizes the creation of alternative learning experience (ALE) courses, as defined in the procedure which accompanies this policy.
 
The district may make available to students enrolled in ALE courses educational opportunities designed to meet their individual needs. The district will comply with all program requirements necessary to count an ALE as a course of study and ensure state funding for ALE students.
 
ALE programs may include the following types of courses as defined in RCW 28A.232.010:
 
  1. Online courses (See Policy 2024, Online Learning);
  2. Remote courses; and
  3. Site-based courses.
The Board will adopt and annually review written policies authorizing ALE courses, including each ALE course and course provider. The policy must designate, by title, one or more school district official(s) responsible for overseeing the district's ALE courses.
 
Franklin Pierce Online Academy (FPOA) K-8 coursework meets the ALE program guidelines as defined in WAC-392-550-020. FPOA is overseen by the Teaching and Learning Services department and the district contact responsible for student and family connection is the FPOA Lead.
 
Reporting Requirements
  1. Annual Report to the Board of Directors

The school district official responsible for overseeing each ALE course will report at least annually to the Board. This annual report will include at least the following:

  1. Documentation of ALE student headcount and full-time equivalent enrollment claimed for basic education funding;
  2. Identification of the overall ratio of certificated instructional staff to full-time equivalent students enrolled in each ALE course; the number of certificated staff in each ALE course; and
  3. A description of how the course supports the district's overall goals and objectives for student academic achievement.
  1. Monthly Report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction

The district must report monthly to the Superintendent of Public Instruction:

  1. Accurate monthly headcount and full-time equivalent enrollment for students enrolled in alternative learning experiences; and
  2. Information about the resident and serving districts of such students.
  1. Regular Submissions to CEDARS

The district must report all required information to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction's Comprehensive Education Data and Research System under RCW 28A.300.500, including designating alternative learning experience courses as such when reporting course information to the Comprehensive Education Data and Research System.

  1. Annual Report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction

​The district must report annually to the Superintendent of Public Instruction:

  1. The number of certificated instructional staff full-time equivalent assigned to each alternative learning experience program; and
  2. Enrollment of students (separately identified) where ALE instruction is provided entirely under contract pursuant to RCW 28A.150.305 and WAC 392-121-188.
  3. The costs and purposes of any expenditures made to purchase or contract for instructional or co-curricular experiences and services that are included in an ALE written student learning plan, along with the substantially similar experiences or services made available to students enrolled in the district's regular instructional program.
Assessment Requirements
All students enrolled in alternative learning experience courses or course work must be assessed at least annually, using, for full-time students, the state assessment for the student's grade level and using any other annual assessments required by the district.
 
Part-time students whose ALE enrollment is claimed as greater than 0.8 FTE in any one month through the January count date must be included by the district in any required state or federal accountability reporting for that school year. However, part-time students who are either receiving home-based instruction under Chapter 28A.200 RCW or who are enrolled in an approved private school under Chapter 28A.195 RCW are not required to participate in the assessments required under Chapter 28A.655 RCW.
 
Students enrolled in nonresident district alternative learning experience courses or course work who are unable to participate in required annual state assessments at the nonresident district must have the opportunity to participate in such required annual state assessments at the district of physical residence, subject to that district's planned testing schedule. It is the responsibility of the nonresident enrolling district to establish a written agreement with the district of physical residence that facilitates all necessary coordination between the districts and with the student and, where appropriate, the student's parent(s) to fulfill this requirement. Such coordination may include:
 
  • arranging for appropriate assessment materials;
  • notifying the student of assessment administration schedules;
  • arranging for the forwarding of completed assessment materials to the enrolling district for submission for scoring and reporting; and
  • arranging for any allowable testing accommodations, and other steps as may be necessary.
The agreement may include rates and terms for payment of reasonable fees by the enrolling district to the district of physical residence to cover costs associated with planning for and administering the assessments to students not enrolled in the district of physical residence. Assessment results for students assessed according to these provisions must be included in the enrolling district's accountability measurements, and not in the district of physical residence's accountability measurements.
 
Valid Justification for Missed Contact
Valid justifications why a student may miss the weekly contact requirements of ALE for the purpose of truancy include those outlined in Excused absences WAC 392-401-020 and in Policy 3122.
 
Students Who Drop Out of ALE Courses
A school district offering or contracting to offer an alternative learning experience course to a nonresident student must inform the resident school district if the student un-enrolls from the course or is otherwise no longer enrolled.
 
Procedures
The superintendent is directed to develop procedures consistent with WAC chapter 392-550 to govern the administration of the district's ALE courses.
 
 
Legal References:   RCW 28A.150.305               Alternative educational service providers —                                                                                                 Student eligibility
                                    RCW 28A.232.010               Alternative learning experience courses —                                                                                                  Generally — Rules — Reports
                                    RCW 28A.250.050               Student access to online courses and online                                                                                               learning programs — Policies and                                                                                                            procedures — Course credit —                                                                                                                 Dissemination of information —                                                                                                                Development of local or regional online                                                                                                  learning programs.
                                    Chapter 28A.225 RCW       Compulsory school attendance and admission
                                   
                                    WAC 392-121-107               Definition-Course of study
                                    WAC 392-121-188               Instruction provided under contract
                                    WAC 392-137-230               Length of Acceptance
 
 
Adoption Date: 3/12/96
Franklin Pierce Schools
Revised: 12/13/05; 9/9/08; 3/13/12; 1/15/13; 1/18/22
Classification: Essential