2704-S2 AMS EDU S5078.1

2SHB 2704 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Education

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 28A.150 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The legislature finds that alternative learning experience programs are an important public education option available to students and families seeking nontraditional learning environments. The legislature further finds that these public alternative learning experience programs are often confused with home-based instruction under chapter 28A.200 RCW. It is the intent of the legislature to authorize alternative learning experience programs that are separate and distinct from home-based instruction.

(2) The board of directors of a school district may operate alternative learning experience programs for eligible full-time students, or eligible part-time students who meet the provisions of RCW 28A.150.350. The board of directors may also provide such programs through contract to the extent permitted under RCW 28A.150.305. The board of directors of a school district claiming state funding for alternative learning experiences shall adopt and periodically review written policies for such programs. The alternative learning experience programs:

(a) Must address the diverse needs of students for courses of study provided in nontraditional learning environments;

(b) Must be supervised by certificated staff, who may be employed either by the school district or by a contractor selected by the school district;

(c) Must provide each student with direct personal contact at least weekly with certificated staff designated by either the school district or by the contractor with the approval of the school district. Direct personal contact is for the purposes of instruction, assignment review, testing, evaluation of student progress, or other learning activities. Direct personal contact may include the use of telephone, e-mail, interactive computer, or interactive video communication;

(d) Must provide each student with an individualized written student learning plan developed with the assistance of and monitored by certificated staff or, for a student enrolled in an on-line learning program, a description of course objectives monitored by certificated staff;

(e) Must assess the educational progress of enrolled students at least annually, using, for full-time students, the state assessment provided for the student's grade level, and using any other annual assessments required by the school district. Part-time students must also be assessed at least annually. Part-time students who are either receiving home-based instruction under chapter 28A.200 RCW or who are enrolled in private schools under chapter 28A.195 RCW are not required to participate in the assessments required under RCW 28A.655.060;

(f) May include significant participation by students, parents, and families in the design and implementation of a student's learning experience; and

(g) May provide individualized courses of study for students.

(3) Each school district shall have a duty to advise each parent or guardian interested in education alternatives of the differences between different types of enrollment status. The information shall be provided in writing and shall include a description of the difference between home-based education under chapter 28A.200 RCW and all forms of alternative education provided for by law or rule, and the different impacts on home-based education status of enrolling full time and part time.

(4) Upon enrollment in an alternative learning experience program, each parent or guardian shall be provided documentation explaining enrollment options including a description of the difference between home-based education under chapter 28A.200 RCW and all forms of alternative education provided for by law or rule. Such documentation shall be signed by the parent or guardian and retained by the school district and available for audit.

(5) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules for the implementation of this section, including program implementation standards and enrollment documentation and reporting:

(a) Each school district shall receive apportionment generated in accordance with this chapter based upon the student FTE enrollment reported for this program.

(b) Enrollment shall be determined based upon the learning activities specified in the learning plan or course objectives as supervised by certificated staff.

(c) Enrollment of part-time students shall be subject to the provisions of RCW 28A.150.350, and shall only generate the prorata share of full-time funding."

2SHB 2704 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Education

On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "programs;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and adding a new section to chapter 28A.150 RCW."

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