Alternative Learning Experiences Overview of Amended Rules

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Alternative Learning Experiences- Overview of
Amended Rules -
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Alternative Learning Experiences Purpose of Rules

• Purpose of Rules provide a method for school
  districts to claim basic education funding for
  learning experiences that are conducted in large
  measure away from school. Recent amendments to
  rules are designed to better accommodate digital
  or online learning programs that are delivered in
  a distance learning manner, and to improve ALE
  program accountability
• Program Implementation Guidelines
  http//www.k12.wa.us/AlternativeEd/default.aspx.

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Background

• Rules allowing ALE date back to mid 1980s.
• Major revision to rules in 1995.
• OSPI efforts to amend rules began in 1999.
• Growing concerns regarding program practices.
• Focused audits2003 and 2004.
• JLARC study2004-05.
• SSB 5828digital and online learning.
• Current rule revisions effective August, 2005.

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Current Political Context

• Sincere desire to better accommodate technology
  and innovation.
• SAO and JLARC have identified practices that
  result in a substantial credibility gap, both
  academically and fiscally.
• ALE is very high profile right now, and not in a
  positive way.

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Key Changes to Rules

• Local oversight/accountability.
• Role of certificated teacher.
• Contact time requirementsbetter accommodate
  digital/online learning.
• Method for enrollment reporting.
• Monthly progress reviews.
• Assessment requirements.
• Part time enrollment.
• Program evaluation requirements.
• Removal of 70 spending provision.

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Three Big Issues

• School district oversight of and accountability
  for student learning.
• Use of religious materials by parents and
  students to accomplish learning plan.
• Reimbursement practices/Parent accounts
• Curriculum/instructional materials/etc
• Services to ALE students

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New RequirementsSection By Section

• Section 1Introduction/Definitions
• Certificated teacher requirements
• Part time enrollment
• Section 2School Board Policy
• Adopt/annually review policy for each ALE program
• Written student learning plan
• Identification of staffing ratio
• Teacher oversight of student performance
• Weekly contact requirements
• Monthly review of student progress
• Designation of responsible staff
• Annual reporting
• Reimbursement policy

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New RequirementsSection By Section

• Section 3Implementation Standards
• Special education
• Responsibility for essential learning
  resourcesInstructional materials approval
• Work-based learning
• Contracting for ALE
• Disclosure of enrollment status
• Verification of student work
• Accreditation

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New RequirementsSection By Section

• Section 4Written Student Learning Plan
• Each student must have a written plan
• Teacher holds responsibility and accountability
  for plan and for student learning
• Must include
• Beginning and ending dates
• Estimate of average hours per week to accomplish
  plan
• Description of weekly contact
• Description of learning requirements
• Identification of instructional materials
• Description of timelines and methods for
  evaluating student progress
• Identify EALRs/district academic goals
  specification of whether experience meets
  graduation requirements.

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New RequirementsSection By Section

• Section 5Enrollment Reporting
• Based on monthly progress reviews.
• If student progress is satisfactory, report
  estimated average weekly hours identified in
  plan.
• If progress is not satisfactory, in subsequent
  month student must log hours.
• If progress in subsequent month is not
  satisfactory, report actual hours from log.
• Usual enrollment exclusions apply (ie 20 day
  absences)
• Program must document district of physical
  residence for nonresident students must also
  establish procedures for coordinating student
  counting for state funding.

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New RequirementsSection By Section

• Section 6Accountability for Student Performance
• Monthly progress review by certificated teacher.
• Review must involve direct personal contact.
• Teacher must document whether or not student is
  making satisfactory progress.
• If student not progressing, must establish
  intervention plan.
• If student continues to struggle, must change
  learning plan.
• Annual assessments for all ALE students.

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New RequirementsSection By Section

• Section 7Program Evaluation
• Requires periodic evaluation to measure
  effectiveness student learning and achievement.
• Continuous improvement model.
• Requirement may be implemented via school
  improvement planning efforts.
• Section 8Annual Reporting to OSPI
• Types of programs and course offerings.
• Student headcount and FTE.
• Ratio of FTE student to FTE CIS.
• ALE provided via contract.

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New RequirementsSection By Section

• Section 9Documentation
• Must maintain records for audit (minimum 3
  years)
• Board policy
• Annual reports to school board and to OSPI
• Written Student Learning Plans
• Student progress reviews, evaluations and
  assessments
• Student enrollment detail substantiating FTE
  reported to state for basic education funding

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Questions and Answers ???