PERMANENT RULES
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Effective Date of Rule: September 1, 2011.
Purpose: The office of superintendent of public instruction (OSPI) has worked with stakeholders of alternative learning experience (ALE) with the goal of reviewing the existing ALE rules (WAC 392-121-182) and providing input, guidance and recommendations for amending these rules in order to:
• Update ALE requirements,
• Provide flexibility in program design and implementation,
• And continue fostering individualized learning.
The result is OSPI's proposed rule change. This rule
change updates district requirements and responsibilities,
defines the key terms related to ALE, and addresses a number
of issues that were highlighted by the workgroup.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 392-121-182.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28A.150.305.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 11-07-087 on March 22, 2011.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: April 26, 2011.
Randy Dorn
Superintendent of
Public Instruction
OTS-3923.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 09-06-038, filed 2/25/09,
effective 3/28/09)
WAC 392-121-182
Alternative learning experience
requirements.
(1) ((An)) Purposes: The purposes of this
section are the following:
(a) To ensure that students enrolled in an alternative
learning experience ((may be counted as a course of study.))
offered by a school district have available to them
educational opportunities designed to meet their individual
needs;
(b) To provide general program requirements for
alternative learning experiences ((may make)) offered by or
through school districts;
(c) To provide a method for determining full-time
equivalent enrollment and a process school districts must use
((of digital and/or on-line curricula, and may be delivered
over the internet or using other electronic means.)) when
claiming state funding for alternative learning experiences.
(2) General requirements: A school district must meet
the requirements of this section to count an alternative
learning experience as a course of study pursuant to WAC 392-121-107. This section applies solely to school districts
claiming state funding pursuant to WAC 392-121-107 for an
alternative learning experience ((may also include significant
participation by students, parents, and families in the design
and implementation of a student's learning experience. This
section provides an alternative method of determining
full-time equivalent enrollment and claiming state funding for
public school learning experiences that are:
(a) Individual)), including an alternative learning experience on-line program as defined in RCW 28A.150.262. It is not intended to apply to alternative learning experiences funded exclusively with federal or local resources.
(3) Definitions: For the purposes of this section the following definitions apply:
(a) "Alternative learning experience" means:
(i) A course or a set of courses ((of study for
students)) developed by a certificated teacher and documented
in an individual written student learning plan for any student
who meets the definition for enrollment specified by WAC 392-121-106. A student((s)) may enroll part-time in an
alternative learning experience((s)). Such enrollment ((shall
be)) is subject to the provisions of RCW 28A.150.350 and
chapter 392-134 WAC; and
(((b))) (ii) The student pursues the requirements of the
written student learning plan in whole or in part
independently from a regular attendance-based instructional
classroom setting, although the learning plan may include
direct instructional components; and
(iii) The student's learning is supervised, monitored,
((assessed, and)) evaluated ((by school staff. As used in
this section, "school staff")), and documented by a
certificated teacher.
(b) "Certificated teacher" means ((certificated
instructional staff of the)) an employee of a school district,
or of a school district contractor pursuant to WAC 392-121-188, who is assigned and endorsed according to the
provisions of chapter 181-82 WAC((, or a contractor pursuant
to WAC 392-121-188));
(c) ((Provided in accordance with)) "Written student
learning plan" means a written plan for learning that is
developed by a certificated teacher that defines the
requirements of an individual student's alternative learning
experience ((plan that is implemented pursuant to)). The
written student learning plan must include at least the
following elements:
(i) A beginning and ending date for the student's alternative learning experience;
(ii) An estimate by a certificated teacher of the average number of hours per week the student will engage in learning activities to meet the requirements of the written student learning plan. This estimate must consider only the time the student will engage in learning activities necessary to accomplish the learning goals and performance objectives specified in the written student learning plan.
(iii) A description of how weekly direct personal contact requirements will be fulfilled;
(iv) A description of each alternative learning experience course included as part of the learning plan, including specific learning goals, performance objectives, and learning activities for each course, written in a manner that facilitates monthly evaluation of student progress. This requirement may be met through the use of individual course syllabi or other similarly detailed descriptions of learning requirements. The description must clearly identify the requirements a student must meet to successfully complete the course or program. Courses must be identified using course names, codes, and designators specified in the most recent Comprehensive Education Data and Research System data manual published by the office of superintendent of public instruction;
(v) Identification of the certificated teacher responsible for each course included as part of the plan;
(vi) Identification of all instructional materials that will be used to complete the learning plan; and
(vii) A description of the timelines and methods for evaluating student progress toward the learning goals and performance objectives specified in the learning plan;
(viii) Identification of whether each alternative
learning experience course meets one or more of the state
essential academic learning requirements or grade-level
expectations and any other academic goals, objectives, and
learning requirements defined by the school district ((board's
policy for)). For each high school alternative learning
((experiences; and
(d) Provided in whole or part, outside the regular classroom setting, including those learning experiences provided digitally via the internet or other electronic means.
This section sets forth the standards, procedures, and requirements for state funded alternative learning experiences. This section is not intended to prevent or limit alternative education programs provided by a school district with federal or local resources.
An alternative learning experience may be counted as a course of study pursuant to WAC 392-121-107 if the following requirements are met:
(2))) experience course, the written student learning plan must specify whether the course meets state and district graduation requirements.
(d) "Direct personal contact" means a one-to-one meeting between a certificated teacher and the student, or, where appropriate, between the certificated teacher, the student, and the student's parent. Direct personal contact can be accomplished in person or through the use of telephone, e-mail, instant messaging, interactive video communication, or other means of digital communication. Direct personal contact must be for the purposes of instruction, review of assignments, testing, evaluation of student progress, or other learning activities or requirements identified in the written student learning plan, and must at minimum include a two-way exchange of information between a certificated teacher and the student. All required direct personal contact must be documented.
(e) "Satisfactory progress" means a certificated teacher has determined that a student's progress toward achieving the specific learning goals and performance objectives specified in the written student learning plan is satisfactory. The evaluation of satisfactory progress is conducted in a manner consistent with school district student evaluation or grading procedures, and is based on the professional judgment of a certificated teacher;
(f) "Intervention plan" means a plan designed to improve the progress of students determined to be not making satisfactory progress. An intervention plan must be developed, documented, and implemented by a certificated teacher in conjunction with the student and, for students in grades K-8, the student's parent(s). At minimum, the intervention plan must include at least one of the following interventions:
(i) Increasing the frequency or duration of direct personal contact for the purposes of enhancing the ability of the certificated teacher to improve student learning;
(ii) Modifying the manner in which direct personal contact is accomplished;
(iii) Modifying the student's learning goals or performance objectives;
(iv) Modifying the number of or scope of courses or the content included in the learning plan.
(g) "Parent" has the same definition as "parent" in WAC 392-172A-01125.
(4) Alternative learning experience program requirements:
(a) Each student participating in an alternative learning experience must have a written student learning plan developed by a certificated teacher that is designed to meet the student's individual educational needs. A certificated teacher must have responsibility and accountability for each course specified in the plan, including supervision and monitoring, and evaluation and documentation of the student's progress. The written student learning plan may be developed with assistance from the student, the student's parents, or other interested parties.
(b) Each student enrolled in an alternative learning experience must have direct personal contact with a certificated teacher at least once a week, until the student completes all course objectives or otherwise meets the requirements of the learning plan.
(c) The educational progress of each student enrolled in an alternative learning experience must be evaluated at least once each calendar month of enrollment by a certificated teacher and the results of each evaluation must be communicated to the student or, if the student is in grades K-8, both the student and the student's parent. Educational progress must be evaluated according to the following requirements:
(i) Each student's educational progress evaluation must be based on the learning goals and performance objectives defined in the written student learning plan.
(ii) The progress evaluation conducted by a certificated teacher must include direct personal contact with the student.
(iii) Based on the progress evaluation, a certificated teacher must determine and document whether the student is making satisfactory progress reaching the learning goals and performance objectives defined in the written student learning plan.
(iv) If it is determined that the student failed to make satisfactory progress or that the student failed to follow the written student learning plan, an intervention plan must be developed for the student.
(v) If after no more than three consecutive calendar months in which it is determined the student is not making satisfactory progress despite documented intervention efforts, a course of study designed to more appropriately meet the student's educational needs must be developed and implemented by a certificated teacher in conjunction with the student and where possible, the student's parent. This may include removal of the student from the alternative learning experience and enrollment of the student in another educational program offered by the school district.
(5) Required school district board policies for
alternative learning experiences: The board of directors of a
school district claiming state funding for alternative
learning experiences ((shall)) must adopt and annually review
written policies ((for)) authorizing such alternative learning
experiences, including each alternative learning experience
program and program provider ((that:
(a) Require a written plan for each student participating in an alternative learning experience that meets the minimum criteria pursuant to subsection (4) of this section;
(b) Require that the overall ratio of certificated instructional staff to full-time equivalent students enrolled in alternative learning experience programs and courses, including those that rely primarily on digital curriculum, be identified and approved by the school district board of directors in a public meeting;
(c) Describe how student performance will be supervised,
monitored, assessed, evaluated, and recorded by school staff.
Such description shall include methods for periodic grade
reporting, if different from existing school district)). The
policy((;
(d) Require each student enrolled in an alternative learning experience to have direct personal contact with school staff at least weekly, until the student completes the course objectives or the requirements of the learning plan. Direct personal contact shall be for the purposes of instruction, review of assignments, testing, reporting of student progress, or other learning activities. Direct personal contact means a face-to-face meeting with the student and, where appropriate, the student's parent or guardian. In establishing policies for alternative learning experience programs and program providers, the school district board of directors may determine that direct personal contact can be accomplished through the use of telephone, e-mail, instant messaging, interactive video communication, or other means of digital communication, instead of a face-to-face meeting, if in the judgment of the board such contact methods do not compromise educational quality, student health and safety, or the fiscal integrity of the district;
(e) Require that each student's educational progress be reviewed at least monthly and that the results of each review be communicated to the student and if the student is in grades K–8, the student's parent or guardian;
(f) At the discretion of the school district board, the policy may describe responsibilities of the student's parent(s) or guardian including, but not limited to:
(i) Approval of the written alternative learning experience plan;
(ii) Responsibility for the parent(s) or guardian to provide or implement a portion of the student's alternative learning experience under the supervision of school staff, if the parent(s) or guardian agrees; and
(iii) Requirements to meet with school staff for purposes of evaluating the student's performance and/or receiving instructions on assisting with the student's alternative learning experience. The school district board may also prescribe requirements for appointing a person to provide or supervise a portion of the student's alternative learning experience in the event the student's parent(s) or guardian will not or cannot be a participant in the student's alternative learning experience;
(g) Designate)) must designate, by title, one or more
school district official(s) responsible for ((approving
specific)) overseeing the district's alternative learning
experience courses or programs ((or courses)), including
monitoring compliance with this section, and reporting at
least annually to the school district board of directors on
the program. This annual report shall include at least the
following:
(((i))) (a) Documentation of alternative learning
experience student headcount and full-time equivalent
enrollment claimed for basic education funding;
(((ii) A description)) (b) Identification of ((how
certificated and classified staff are assigned program
management and instructional responsibilities that maximize
student learning, including)) the overall ratio of
certificated instructional staff to full-time equivalent
students enrolled in each alternative learning experience
program;
(((iii) A description of how a written student learning
plan pursuant to subsection (4) of this section, is developed,
and student performance supervised and evaluated, by
certificated staff;
(iv))) (c) A description of how the program supports the district's overall goals and objectives for student academic achievement; and
(((v))) (d) Results of any self-evaluations conducted
pursuant to subsection (((7))) (9) of this section((;
(h) Satisfy the office of superintendent of public instruction's requirements for courses of study and equivalencies (chapter 392-410 WAC);
(i) For alternative learning experience courses offering credit, or for alternative learning experience programs issuing a high school diploma, satisfy the state board of education's high school graduation requirements (chapter 180-51 WAC); and
(j) Identify what, if any, expenditures which are directly related to the written student learning plan and are paid by participants of an alternative learning experience may be subject to reimbursement by the district)).
(((3))) (6) Alternative learning experience
implementation ((standards)) requirements:
(a) School districts that offer alternative learning
experiences ((shall be)) must ensure that they are accessible
to all students, including ((those)) students with
disabilities. Alternative learning experiences for special
education students ((shall)) must be provided in accordance
with chapter 392-172A WAC.
(b) Contracting for alternative learning experiences is subject to the provisions of WAC 392-121-188.
(c) It is the responsibility of the school district or
school district contractor to ensure that students have all
curricula, course content, instructional materials((, and
other learning resources essential to successfully complete
the requirements of the written student learning plan. Curricula, course content, instructional materials, and other
learning resources for alternative learning experiences shall
at minimum be consistent in quality with those available to
the district's overall student population. Instructional
materials shall be provided in accordance with RCW 28A.320.230)) and learning activities that are identified in
the alternative learning experience written student learning
plan.
(((c) Work-based learning as a component of)) (d) School
districts must ensure that no student or parent is provided
any compensation, reimbursement, gift, reward, or gratuity
related to the student's enrollment or participation in, or
related to another student's recruitment or enrollment in, an
alternative learning experience unless otherwise required by
law.
(e) Curricula, course ((of study shall be subject to the
provisions of WAC 392-410-315)) content, instructional
materials, learning activities, and ((392-121-124.
(d) Contracting)) other learning resources for
alternative learning experiences ((shall be subject)) must be
consistent in quality with those available to the ((provisions
of WAC 392-121-188 and)) district's overall student
population.
(f) Instructional materials used in alternative learning
experiences must be approved pursuant to school board policies
adopted in accordance with RCW ((28A.150.305)) 28A.320.230.
(((e))) (g)(i) A school district that provides one or
more alternative learning experiences to a student ((shall))
must provide the parent(s) ((or guardian)) of the student,
prior to the student's enrollment, with a description of the
difference between home-based instruction pursuant to chapter 28A.200 RCW and the enrollment option selected by the student.
The parent ((or guardian shall)) must sign documentation
attesting to his or her understanding of the difference ((and
the)). Such documentation ((shall)) must be retained by the
district and made available for audit.
(((f) The school district shall)) (ii) In the event a
school district cannot locate a student's parent within three
days of a student's request for enrollment in an alternative
learning experience, the school district may enroll the
student for a conditional period of no longer than thirty
calendar days. The student must be disenrolled from the
alternative learning experience if the school district does
not obtain the documentation required under this subsection
before the end of the thirty day conditional enrollment
period.
(h) The school district or school district contractor is prohibited from advertising, marketing, and otherwise providing unsolicited information about learning programs offered by the school district including, but not limited to, digital learning programs, part-time enrollment opportunities, and other alternative learning programs, to students and their parents who have filed a declaration of intent to cause a child to receive home-based instruction under RCW 28A.200.010. School districts may respond to requests for information that are initiated by a parent. This prohibition does not apply to general mailings, newsletters, or other general communication distributed by the school district or the school district contractor to all households in the district.
(i) Work-based learning as a component of an alternative learning experience course of study is subject to the provisions of WAC 392-410-315 and 392-121-124.
(j) The school district must institute reliable methods to verify a student is doing his or her own work. The methods may include proctored examinations or projects, including the use of web cams or other technologies. "Proctored" means directly monitored by an adult authorized by the school district.
(((g))) (k) State funded alternative learning experience
on-line programs must be accredited by the Northwest
Accreditation Commission or another national, regional, or
state accreditation program listed by the office of
superintendent of public ((schools or public)) instruction on
its web site.
(l) School districts may accept nonresident students
under the school ((programs whose primary purpose is to
provide)) choice enrollment provisions of RCW 28A.225.200
through 28A.225.230 and chapter 392-137 WAC for enrollment in
alternative learning experiences ((using digital or on-line
means shall be accredited through the state accreditation
program or through the regional accreditation program.
(4) Written student learning plan: Each student enrolled in an alternative learning experience course of study shall have a written student learning plan designed to meet the student's individual educational needs. The written student learning plan may be developed in partnership with the student, the student's parents, and other interested parties, with recognition that school staff has the primary responsibility and accountability for the plan, including supervision and monitoring, and evaluation and assessment of the student's progress. The written student learning plan shall include, but not be limited to, the following elements:
(a) A beginning and ending date for the learning experience;
(b) An estimate of the average number of hours per week that the student will engage in learning activities to meet the requirements of the student learning plan. This estimate may be used in reporting enrollment in compliance with subsection (5) of this section and must be based upon the criteria in subsection (6) of this section;
(c) A description of how weekly contact requirements will be fulfilled;
(d) A description of the specific learning goals and performance objectives of the)). School districts enrolling such students in alternative learning experiences are subject to all school district duties and liabilities pertaining to such students for the full school year, including ensuring the student's compulsory attendance pursuant to chapter 28A.225 RCW, until such time as the student has actually enrolled in another school district, or has otherwise met the mandatory attendance requirements specified by RCW 28A.225.010.
(m) The alternative learning experience must satisfy the office of superintendent of public instruction's requirements for courses of study and equivalencies as provided in chapter 392-410 WAC;
(n) Alternative learning experience((. This requirement
may be met through the use of course syllabi or other
similarly detailed descriptions of learning requirements. The
description shall clearly identify the requirements a student
must meet to successfully complete the course or program;
(e) Identification of instructional materials essential to successful completion of the learning plan; and
(f) A description of the timelines and methods for evaluating student progress toward the learning goals and performance objectives specified in the learning plan.
The written student learning plan shall identify whether
the alternative learning experience meets one or more of the
state essential academic learning requirements or any other
academic goals, objectives, and learning requirements defined
by the school district. For)) courses offering credit or
alternative learning experience programs issuing a high school
((alternative learning experience,)) diploma must satisfy the
((plan shall specify whether the experience meets)) state
board of education's high school credit and ((district))
graduation requirements as provided in chapter 180-51 WAC.
(((5))) (7) Enrollment reporting procedures: Effective
the ((2005–06)) 2011-12 school year, the full-time equivalency
of students enrolled in an alternative learning experience
((programs shall)) must be determined as follows:
(a) ((Using)) The school district must use the definition
of full-time equivalent student in WAC 392-121-122 and the
number of hours the student is expected to engage in learning
activities as follows:
(i) On the first enrollment count date on or after the
start date specified in the written student learning plan,
subject to documented evidence of student participation as
required by WAC 392-121-106(4), the student's full-time
equivalent must be based on the estimated average weekly hours
of learning activity described in the student's written
student learning plan((;)).
(ii) On any subsequent monthly count date((s)), the
student's full-time equivalent must be based on the estimated
average weekly hours of learning activity described in the
written student learning plan if:
(A) The student's progress ((review)) evaluation pursuant
to subsection (((6))) (4)(c) of this section indicates
satisfactory progress((, the student's full-time equivalent
shall be based on the estimated average weekly hours of
learning activity identified in the student learning plan));
or
(B) The student's prior month progress evaluation pursuant to subsection (4)(c) of this section indicates a lack of satisfactory progress, and an intervention plan designed to improve student progress has been developed, documented, and implemented within five school days of the date of the prior month's progress evaluation.
(iii) ((If the student's progress review indicates a lack
of satisfactory progress, the student's full-time equivalent
shall be based on the estimated average weekly hours of
learning activity described in the student learning plan, and
the actual number of hours the student engages in learning
activity pursuant to)) On any subsequent monthly count date if
an intervention plan has not been developed, documented, and
implemented within five days of the ((written student learning
plan shall be documented during)) prior month's progress
evaluation, the ((ensuing month. Documented hours shall
encompass only time spent on those learning activities
intended to accomplish the learning goals and performance
objectives identified in the written student learning plan,
shall meet the following criteria and shall be verified))
student's full-time equivalent must not be included by the
school district ((staff:
(A) Those hours of classroom instruction provided by school staff;
(B) Those hours of work based learning calculated in accordance with WAC 392-121-107 (1)(f);
(C) Those hours of learning activity other than those
specified in (a)(iii)(A), (B) and (D) of this subsection)) in
that ((are conducted and supervised by the student's parent(s)
or guardian, or other person as designated by the written
plan; and)) month's enrollment count.
(((D) Those hours that the student participates in
learning activities other than those specified in (a)(iii)(A),
(B) and (C) of this subsection. If the student is in grades
K–8, such learning activity shall be supervised by the
student's parent(s) or guardian or other person designated by
the written student learning plan;))
(iv) ((On subsequent monthly count dates, if the
student's progress review indicates a lack of satisfactory
progress, the student's full-time equivalent shall be based on
the actual average weekly hours of learning activity
documented during the prior month;
(v))) Enrollment of part-time students ((shall be)) is
subject to the provisions of RCW 28A.150.350, and ((shall
generate the)) generates a pro rata share of full-time
funding.
(b) The enrollment count ((shall)) must exclude students
meeting the definition of enrollment exclusions in WAC 392-121-108 or students who have not had direct personal
contact with ((school staff)) a certificated teacher for
twenty consecutive school days. Any such student ((shall))
must not be counted as an enrolled student until the student
has met with ((appropriate school staff)) a certificated
teacher and resumed participation in their alternative
learning experience or ((participated)) is participating in
another course of study as defined in WAC 392-121-107;
(c) The enrollment count must exclude students who are not residents of Washington state as defined by WAC 392-137-115.
(d) The enrollment count must exclude students who as of the enrollment count date have completed the requirements of the written student learning plan prior to ending date specified in the plan and who have not had a new written student learning plan established with a new beginning and ending date that encompasses the count date;
(e) School districts providing alternative learning
experiences to nonresident students ((shall)) must document
the district of the student's physical residence, and shall
establish procedures that address, at a minimum, the
coordination of student counting for state funding so that no
student is counted for more than one full-time equivalent in
the aggregate((.
(6) Accountability for student performance:
(a) At minimum, students enrolled in)) including, but not limited to:
(i) When a resident district and one or more nonresident district(s) will each be claiming basic education funding for a student in the same month or months, the districts shall execute a written agreement that at minimum identifies the maximum aggregate basic education funding each district may claim for the duration of the agreement. A nonresident district may not claim funding for a student until after the effective date of the agreement.
(ii) When a district is providing alternative learning
experiences ((shall have their educational performance
evaluated according to the following process and schedule:
(i) Each student's educational progress shall be reviewed at least once per month. The progress review shall be based on the learning goals and performance objectives defined in the written student learning plan.
(ii) The progress review shall be conducted by)) to
nonresident students under the school ((staff and shall
include direct personal contact with the student. If allowed
by district policy, direct personal contact may include the
use of telephone, e-mail, instant messaging, interactive video
communication, or other means of digital communication. The
results of the review shall be communicated to the student
and, where possible, the student's parent(s) or guardian.
(iii) Based on)) choice enrollment provisions of RCW 28A.225.200 through 28A.225.230 and 392-137 WAC the ((progress
review, school staff shall determine and document whether))
district may not claim funding for the student ((is making
satisfactory progress in completing)) until after the
((learning activities and reaching)) release date documented
by the ((learning goals and performance objectives defined in
the written plan)) resident district.
(((iv) If the student fails to make satisfactory progress
for no more than two consecutive evaluation periods or if the
student fails to follow the written student learning plan, an
intervention plan designed to improve student progress shall
be developed and implemented. This intervention plan shall be
developed by school staff in conjunction with the student and,
for students in grades K–8, the student's parent(s) or
guardian.
(v) If, after no more than three subsequent evaluation periods, the student still is not making satisfactory progress, a plan designed to more appropriately meet the student's educational need shall be developed and implemented by school staff in conjunction with the student and, for students in grades K-8, the student's parent(s) or guardian.
(b) The educational progress of)) (8) Assessment requirements:
(a) All students enrolled in alternative learning
experiences ((shall)) must be assessed at least annually,
using, for full-time students, the state assessment for the
student's grade level and using any other annual assessments
required by the school district. Part-time students ((shall))
must also be assessed at least annually. However, part-time
students who are either receiving home-based instruction under
chapter 28A.200 RCW or who are enrolled in an approved private
school under chapter 28A.195 RCW are not required to
participate in the assessments required under chapter 28A.655 RCW.
(b) Any student whose alternative learning experience enrollment is claimed as greater than 0.8 full-time equivalent in any one month through the January count date must be included by the school district in any required state or federal accountability reporting for that school year, subject to existing state and federal accountability rules and procedures.
(c) Students enrolled ((full-time)) in nonresident
alternative learning experience schools, programs, or courses
((shall)) who are unable to participate in required annual
state assessments at the nonresident district must have the
opportunity to participate in ((any)) such required annual
state assessments at the district of physical residence,
subject to that district's planned testing schedule. It is
the responsibility of the nonresident enrolling district to
((facilitate)) establish a written agreement with the district
of physical residence that facilitates all necessary
coordination ((with)) between the districts ((of residence))
and with the student and, where appropriate, the student's
parent(s) ((or guardian)) to fulfill this requirement. Such
coordination may include arranging for appropriate assessment
((booklets,)) materials, notifying the student
((notification)) of assessment administration schedules,
((arrangements)) arranging for the forwarding of completed
assessment ((booklets)) materials to the enrolling district
for submission for scoring and reporting, and other steps as
may be necessary. The agreement may include rates and terms
for payment of reasonable fees by the enrolling district to
the district of physical residence to cover costs associated
with planning for and administering the assessments to
students not enrolled in the district of physical residence.
Assessment results for students assessed according to these
provisions ((shall)) must be included in the enrolling
district's accountability measurements, and not in the
district of physical residence's accountability measurements.
(((7))) (9) Program evaluation requirements: School
districts offering alternative learning experiences ((shall))
must engage in periodic self-evaluation of these learning
experiences in a manner designed to objectively measure their
effectiveness, including the impact of the experiences on
student learning and achievement. Self-evaluation ((shall))
must follow a continuous improvement model, and may be
implemented as part of the school district's school
improvement planning efforts.
(((8) Annual reporting:)) (10) Reporting requirements:
Each school district offering alternative learning experiences
((shall)) must report monthly to the superintendent of public
instruction accurate monthly headcount and full-time
equivalent enrollment for students enrolled in alternative
learning experiences as well as information about the resident
and serving districts of such students. Each school district
offering alternative learning experiences must also report
annually to the superintendent of public instruction on the
types of programs and course offerings subject to this
section((, including student headcount and full-time
equivalent enrollment claimed for basic education funding)). The annual report shall identify the ratio of certificated
instructional staff to full-time equivalent students enrolled
in alternative learning experience courses or programs. The
annual report shall separately identify alternative learning
experience enrollment of students provided under contract
pursuant to RCW 28A.150.305 and WAC 392-121-188.
(((9))) (11) Documentation((: In accordance with
required records)) and record retention ((schedules, a school
district)) requirements: School districts claiming state
funding for alternative learning experiences ((shall)) must
retain all documentation required in this section in
accordance with established records retention schedules and
must make such documentation available upon request for
purposes of state monitoring and audit. School districts must
maintain the following written documentation ((available for
audit)):
(a) School board policy for alternative learning experiences pursuant to this section;
(b) Annual reports to the school district board of
directors as required by subsection (((2)(g))) (5) of this
section;
(c) Monthly and Annual reports to the superintendent of
public instruction as required by subsection (((8))) (10) of
this section;
(d) The written student learning plans required by
subsection (4) of this section((, including documentation of
required weekly direct personal contact));
(e) Evidence of direct personal contact required by subsection (4) of this section;
(f) Student progress ((reviews,)) evaluations((,)) and
intervention plans required by subsection (4) of this section;
(g) The results of any assessments required by subsection
(((6))) (8) of this section;
(((f))) (h) Student enrollment detail substantiating
full-time equivalent enrollment reported to the state((,
including estimated total hours of participation in
educational activities, and any actual documentation of hours
of learning for those students failing to make satisfactory
progress)); and
(((g))) (i) Signed parent enrollment disclosure documents
required by subsection (((3)(e))) (6)(g) of this section.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.150.290. 09-06-038, § 392-121-182, filed 2/25/09, effective 3/28/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.150.290 and 2005 c 356. 05-13-154, § 392-121-182, filed 6/21/05, effective 7/22/05. Statutory Authority: 1997 c 265 § 6 and RCW 28A.150.290. 99-08-008 (Order 99-01), § 392-121-182, filed 3/25/99, effective 4/25/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.150.290. 95-18-097, § 392-121-182, filed 9/6/95, effective 10/7/95; 95-01-013, § 392-121-182, filed 12/8/94, effective 1/8/95. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.150.290, 28A.150.250 and 28A.150.260. 91-02-096 (Order 50), § 392-121-182, filed 1/2/91, effective 2/2/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.41.055 and 28A.41.170. 88-03-013 (Order 88-8), § 392-121-182, filed 1/11/88.]