WSR 05-19-135

PROPOSED RULES

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION


[ Filed September 21, 2005, 8:10 a.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 05-12-159.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 180-51-110 Equivalency credit for alternative learning experiences, nonhigh school courses, electronically mediated courses, work experience and challenges and 180-51-120 Washington National Guard youth challenge program -- Course content -- Credits.

     Hearing Location(s): Educational Service District 113, 601 McPhee Road S.W., Olympia, WA 98502-5080, on October 27, 2005, at 8:30 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: October 28, 2005.

     Submit Written Comments to: Larry Davis, Executive Director, P.O. Box 47206, Olympia, WA 98504-7206, e-mail ldavis@ospi.wednet.edu, fax (360) 586-2357, by October 13, 2005.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Laura Moore, Executive Assistant, by October 13, 2005, TTY (360) 664-3631 or (360) 725-6025.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposed amendments clarify credits for the Washington National Guard youth challenge program and adding a new section specifically for dealing with credits for the National Guard youth challenge program.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: See Purpose above.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28A.230.090.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: State Board of Education, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Larry Davis, State Board of Education, Olympia, Washington, (360) 725-6025.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Not applicable.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. Not applicable.

September 19, 2005

Larry Davis

Executive Director

OTS-8214.4


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 00-19-108, filed 9/20/00, effective 10/21/00)

WAC 180-51-110   Equivalency credit for alternative learning experiences, nonhigh school courses, electronically mediated courses, work experience, and challenges.   The board of directors of a district offering a high school diploma shall adopt written policies providing for the granting of high school graduation credit for alternative learning experiences, nonhigh school courses, work experience, and challenges. High school credits may be given for, but not limited to, the following:

     (1) Planned learning experiences conducted away from the school under the supervision or with the approval of the school and linked to one or more of the state learning goals and related essential academic learning requirements;

     (2) Work experience on the basis that four hundred five hours of work experience equals one credit;

     (3) National Guard high school career training and National Guard youth challenge;

     (4) Postsecondary courses in accredited colleges and universities. In the case of courses taken under the statutory running start option under RCW 28A.600.300 through 28A.600.400, the district shall award high school credit pursuant to RCW 28A.230.090(6);

     (5) Courses in accredited or approved technical colleges;

     (6) Correspondence courses from accredited colleges and universities or schools approved by the National University Education Association or the Distance Education and Training Council;

     (7) Electronically mediated courses meeting standards which shall be adopted by written policy by the school district, or standards adopted by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, or the Distance Education and Training Council, or the Commission for International and Trans-regional Accreditation;

     (8) Other courses offered by any school or institution if specifically approved for credit by the district; and

     (9) Credit based on competency testing, in lieu of enrollment or taking specific courses, may be granted by the district.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.230.090. 00-19-108, § 180-51-110, filed 9/20/00, effective 10/21/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.05.060. 85-12-041 (Order 12-85), § 180-51-110, filed 6/5/85. Statutory Authority: Chapter 28A.05 RCW. 84-11-049 (Order 7-84), § 180-51-110, filed 5/17/84.]


NEW SECTION
WAC 180-51-120   Washington National Guard youth challenge program -- Course content -- Credits.   In order to assure that an appropriate number of high school credits are awarded to students who complete a National Guard youth challenge program, whether the program involves a contract with a school district or is operated independently, the following provisions shall apply:

     (1) High school credit may be awarded only if the course content is of high school level rigor as determined by and to the district's satisfaction - ninth grade or above, or meets or exceeds the state essential academic learning requirements or grade level expectations at ninth grade or above for the particular subject.

     (2) In the case of a contract between a school district and a National Guard youth challenge program, the contract, pursuant to WAC 180-50-320 (2)(b), shall identify the credits the student will be awarded upon satisfactory achievement of the specific learning standards identified in the contract. Determination of satisfactory achievement rests with the school district and may include consideration of recommendations of the program instructor or representative and review of the student's performance while enrolled in the program.

     (3)(a) If a student enrolls in a National Guard youth challenge program that is conducted independently, then, when a student reenrolls in a school district, the district's policy on awarding credit under WAC 180-51-050(6) shall apply.

     (b) Credits may be awarded on a Carnegie unit basis as provided under WAC 180-51-050 (1)(a).

     (c) Credits may be awarded on a competency basis as provided under WAC 180-51-050 (1)(b).

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