(1) As used in this chapter, the term "learning assistance program" means a statewide program designed to enhance educational opportunities for public school students enrolled in grades kindergarten through twelve who do not meet state English language arts or mathematics standards by providing supplemental instruction and services to those students.
(2) School districts implementing a learning assistance program must first focus on addressing the needs of students in grades kindergarten through four who are deficient in reading or reading readiness skills.
(a) A district may meet this requirement during the regular school year by ensuring that of the total number of students in grades kindergarten through four served by the learning assistance program, approximately fifty percent are students receiving English language arts services. Students served under readiness to learn programs provided under WAC
392-162-041 (1)(g) are excluded from this calculation.
(b) A district may serve a threshold lower than fifty percent if it demonstrates a lesser need through one of the following data sources:
(i) The district's prior year statewide assessment scores for third and fourth grade reading;
(ii) The district's prior year's reported number of kindergarten through grade four students reading on grade level under RCW
28A.320.203;
(iii) Districts serving a lower threshold under (b)(i) or (ii) of this subsection must be approved to do so at the start of the school year by the office of the superintendent of public instruction.
The learning assistance program may then be used to support students who are not meeting academic standards in grades kindergarten through twelve by providing supplemental English language arts or mathematics instruction, students identified in eighth grade in need of high school transition services which could continue up through the end of ninth grade, by addressing the needs of eleventh and twelfth grade students to assist them in meeting state and district graduation requirements, and to reduce disruptive behaviors in the classroom.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
28A.165.075 and
28A.150.290. WSR 18-02-082, § 392-162-020, filed 1/2/18, effective 2/2/18; WSR 16-16-078, § 392-162-020, filed 7/29/16, effective 9/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW
28A.165.075. WSR 14-08-067, § 392-162-020, filed 3/31/14, effective 5/1/14; WSR 09-24-075, § 392-162-020, filed 11/30/09, effective 12/31/09; WSR 08-21-053, § 392-162-020, filed 10/9/08, effective 11/9/08. Statutory Authority: RCW
28A.300.070. WSR 07-02-015, § 392-162-020, filed 12/21/06, effective 1/21/07. Statutory Authority: 1987 c 478. WSR 87-22-001 (Order 87-14), § 392-162-020, filed 10/22/87. Statutory Authority: RCW
28A.41.408. WSR 84-14-038 (Order 84-21), § 392-162-020, filed 6/28/84.]