Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee |
SB 6134
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Modifying definitions for alternative learning experience courses.
Sponsors: Senators Wellman, Zeiger and Hasegawa; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/19/18
Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).
Background:
Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) programs provide a way for students to be enrolled in public education without being obligated to meet the in-class seat-time requirements for regular instruction. Instruction in ALE programs may be delivered via online courses, remote courses, or site-based courses. Courses offered through ALE programs may be provided to students residing inside or outside of the district offering the course, and may be provided to full or part-time students. Each student participating in an ALE program must have a written student learning plan that is designed to meet the student's individual educational needs and is developed and approved by a certificated teacher.
An ALE course is defined as a course, or coursework for grades kindergarten through eight, that is a delivery method for the state's program of basic education, and that is:
provided in whole or in part independently from a regular classroom setting or schedule, but may include some components of direct instruction;
supervised, monitored, assessed, evaluated, and documented by a certificated teacher employed by the school district or under contract as permitted by applicable rules; and
provided in accordance with a written student learning plan that is implemented pursuant to the school district's policy and rules adopted by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
As specified in statutes governing ALE courses, a "remote course" is defined as an ALE course that is not an online course where the student has in-person instructional contact time for less than 20 percent of the total weekly time for the course. No minimum in-person instructional contact time is required for remote courses. A "site-based course" is an ALE course where the student has in-person instructional contact time for at least 20 twenty percent of the total weekly time for the course.
Summary of Bill:
The ALE definitions of "remote course" and "site-based course" are modified by, in part, removing references to the percentage of in-person instructional contact time. "Remote course" is defined as an ALE course that is not an online course where the written student learning plan for the course does not include a requirement for in-person instructional contact time. No minimum in-person instructional contact time is required for remote courses. "Site-based course" is defined as an ALE course where the written student learning plan for the course includes a requirement for in-person instructional contact time.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.