Instruction
Policy No. 2255
ALTERNATIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE PROGRAMS
The district establishes the Blaine HomeConnection, an alternative learning experience program, provided on site or over the internet or by other electronic means, as defined in WAC 392-121-182.
I.
Every student enrolled in the program shall have a
written individual plan developed in collaboration with the student, the
studentŐs parents, and other interested parties. The studentŐs supervisor, who
must be certificated instructional staff or a contractor as defined in WAC
392-121-188, must approve the plan and has primary responsibility and
accountability for the plan. The student learning plan must meet the following
minimum criteria. The plan must:
A.
Include a schedule
of the duration of the program, including the beginning and ending dates;
B.
Describe the specific learning goals and performance
objectives of the alternative learning experience. This requirement may be met through
course syllabi or other detailed descriptions of learning requirements.
C.
Describe the average number of hours per week that
the student will engage in learning activities to accomplish the objectives of
the plan;
D.
Describe how weekly contact requirements will be
fulfilled;
E.
Identify instructional materials essential to successful
completion of the learning plan;
F.
Include a timeline and method for evaluating student
progress toward the learning goals and performance objectives specified in the
learning plan; and
G.
Identify whether the alternative learning experience
meets one or more of the state essential academic learning requirements defined
by the district. High School alternative learning plans must identify whether
the experience meets state and district graduation requirements.
II.
Annually, during a public meeting, the board will
approve the ratio of certificated instructional staff to full time equivalent
students enrolled in alternative learning experience programs and courses.
III.
Student performance will be jointly supervised,
monitored, assessed, evaluated, and recorded by school staff, and
parents/guardians. Staff will designate satisfactory or unsatisfactory monthly
progress on the studentŐs learning plan.
IV.
Each student enrolled in an alternative learning
experience program shall have direct personal contact with school staff at
least weekly, to discuss and evaluate student progress, until completion of the
course objectives or the requirements of the learning plan. Direct personal
contact means a face-to-face meeting with the student, and if appropriate, with
the parent or guardian. The board has determined that electronic contact does
not compromise educational quality, student health or safety of the fiscal
integrity of the district
V.
Each studentŐs educational progress will be reviewed
at least monthly. The results of
the reviews shall be shared with the parent or guardian of students. If a student does not make satisfactory
progress in the activities identified in his or her plan, a revised plan may be
implemented.
VI.
Parent(s) or Guardian Responsibilities
Parents or guardians are required to participate in the program on behalf of their children in at least the following ways, or their children may be excluded or removed from the program:
A. The parent(s) or guardian must approve
their childŐs plan;
B. The parent(s) or guardian must
provide or supervise those portions of their childŐs plan for alternative
learning experiences that are identified in the plan.
C. The parent(s) or guardian must meet with certificated
instructional staff as prescribed in their childŐs plan for purposes of
evaluating their childŐs performance and/or receiving instructions on assisting
with their childŐs alternative learning experience.
If a studentŐs parent(s) or guardian cannot or will not participate in the program, the supervisor of the program may accept another suitable adult who agrees to meet the policy and program requirements set out for parent(s) on behalf of the student.
VII.
District Supervision:
The district shall designate one or more person(s) responsible for approving specific alternative learning experience programs or courses, monitoring compliance with WAC 392-121-182 and reporting at the end of each school year to the board of directors on the program. The annual report shall contain:
A. The alternative learning experience student headcount and full-time equivalent enrollment claimed for basic education funding;
B. A description of how certificated and classified staff are assigned program management and instructional responsibilities that maximize student learning; including the ratio of certificated instructional staff to full time equivalent students;
C. A description of how the written student learning plan is developed and student performance supervised and evaluated by certificated staff;
D. A description of how the alternative learning experience program supports the districts overall goals for academic achievement; and
E. Results of any self-evaluations conducted pursuant to WAC 392-121-182(7).
VIII.
The district alternative learning program shall
satisfy the state board of education requirements for courses of study or
equivalencies; and if the program offers credit or a high school diploma, the
alternative learning program must meet the minimum high school graduation
requirements.
Legal Reference: WAC 392-121-182 Alternative learning experience requirements
RCW 28A.320.230 Instructional Materials Đ Instructional Materials Committee
Cross References Board Policy 2020 Curriculum Development and Adoption of Instructional Materials
Adopted: January 23, 2006
Revised: March 23, 2009