Purpose: The changes clarify credits for National Guard youth challenge program, adding a new section specifically for dealing with credits for the program.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 180-51-110 Equivalency credit for alternative learning.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28A.230.090.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 05-19-135 on September 21, 2005.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 1, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 1, Amended 1, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: October 28, 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.]

     (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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