Edmonds School District No. 15
Lynnwood, WA 98036-5789
7336-R1 - PROCEDURES FOR ALTERNATIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Adopted
5/6/97
Revised
9/1/98
3/11/05
1/17/06
Definition: An alternative learning experience is an individualized course of study for a student for the period of time that student is enrolled in the Edmonds School District and not for time that student is home-based pursuant to RCW 28A.225.010(4), a private school student pursuant to RCW 28A.225.010(1)(a), or an adult education student.
I. Every student enrolled in the program shall have a written individual plan developed in collaboration with the student, the student's parent(s) or guardian, and other interested parties. The student's 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 supervised, monitored, assessed, evaluated, and recorded by school staff, including the method for grade reporting if different from other district programs.
Student performance will be assessed, monitored, recorded, and supervised by certificated staff through the written student learning plan (WSLP). Full time students enrolled in alternative education programs will participate in required state assessments. An official record of their performance will be maintained by the school district.
IV. Each student enrolled in an alternative learning experience program shall have district 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(s) or guardian.
The board further determines that it does not compromise educational quality, student health or safety or the fiscal integrity of the district to provide that personal contact through the use of telephone, e-mail, interactive video communications or other means of digital communication when available.
V. Each student's educational progress will be reviewed at least monthly. The results of the reviews shall be shared with the students and with the parents or guardians of students in K-8 programs. 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:
Parent(s) or guardian 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 child's plan;
B. The parent(s) or guardian must provide or supervise those portions of their child's plan for alternative learning experiences that are identified in the plan; and
C. The parent(s) or guardian must meet with school staff as prescribed in their child's plan for purposes of evaluating their child's performance and/or receiving instructions on assisting with their child's alternative learning experiences.
If a student's 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 school district 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 academi8c 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.
IX. The district shall identify expenditures, directly related to the student learning plan, paid for by participants that are reimbursable by the district.
LEARNING REIMBURSEMENT ALLOWANCE
Each student enrolled full-time for the full school year at Edmonds Home School Resource Center (EHSRC) will be eligible for an annual Learning Reimbursement Allowance.
Students in grades one through twelve are eligible to be reimbursed for curriculum and resources necessary to complete the learning plan. The annual reimbursement amount is published in the EHSRC website ( http://staff.edmonds.wednet.edu/users/beesonl/index.htm )
EHSRC prorates reimbursement by whole months for those students entering the program after the first day of the school year. The student must be enrolled by the first school day of a given month to receive reimbursement for that month. Important reimbursement dates can be found at http://staff.edmonds.wednet.edu/users/beesonl/reim.htm
REIMBURSEMENT GUIDELINES
When requesting a reimbursement, please consider:
• Is the item necessary to complete your learning plan?
• Is it recorded in the “Activities and Resources” section of your learning plan?
• Is the reimbursement request, if approved, a responsible use of public dollars?
WHAT MAY BE SUBMITTED FOR REIMBURSEMENT
• All books, curriculum materials and supplies listed as resources required to support the subject goal(s) in the written student learning plan (WSLP) and approved by the SLP teacher prior to purchase (e.g. general supplies, software, books, manipulatives).
• Field trip admission for the enrolled student(s) (e.g. museum, plays, event admission). Again, the activity must be directly related to a learning activity that is supporting a goal and approved prior to purchase.
• Private or group lessons that are a part of your learning plan, taught by EHSRC-approved instructors (EHSRC-approved instructors complete program requirements, ensuring they are qualified, safe and legitimate teachers for our children).
WHAT MAY NOT BE SUBMITTED FOR REIMBURSEMENT
• Toys, non-educational games, trinkets.
• Memberships: Science Center , Zoo etc. Receipt must be for day entrance fee only.
• Sectarian materials of any kind. A good way to distinguish the difference between the study of or about religions or holidays, which is completely acceptable and encouraged, is when the study promotes one religion or holiday over all others. In this case the supplies/books/activities, etc. are not reimbursable. You must always ask when requesting to use state funds, how is this related to academic goals? Additionally, we cannot reimburse for activities provided by a religious organization. If you believe there is no sectarian content being promoted during the activity, we would have to be insured of that on the receipt.
• Non-consumable school supplies like binders, pencil boxes etc.
• Uniforms: i.e., Sports activities, Band Costumes, Graduation Cap and
Gown, shoes, etc.
• Sports Equipment
• Backpacks
• Driver's Ed
• Textbooks for Running Start
• Tickets to Fun Centers: i.e., Wild Waves
• Fees for class group parties or outings unless strictly educational. i.e. skate party or bowling
• Animals: even if they are used in science curriculum
• Music Instruments/Supplies-guitar strings, reeds, metronomes, etc.
• Dues to social organizations: i.e., scouts
• Movie rentals
• Permanent additions to your home: i.e., greenhouses, raised beds,
ponds, gardens and supplies, train layouts, etc.
• Computer supplies such as ink cartridges for printers or fax machines, system upgrades, operating systems etc.
• Items purchased from Scholastic book fairs. The only items reimbursable must be construed a viable instructional materials. Toys, games and trinkets are not accepted unless an educational goal/activity can be clearly defined in your students SLP.
In summary, allocated funds shall be used solely for the purpose of enhancing the learning experiences of the student(s) and shall be selected by both the parent/guardian and program staff based upon the student's learning plan.
Alternative Learning Experience Programs
District Implementation Guidelines:
A. Alternative Learning Experience shall be available to all students including students with disabilities.
B. The district shall make available to students enrolled in alternative learning programs access to curricula, course content, instructional materials and other learning resources required by the written student learning plan. These materials shall be consistent in quality with those available to the overall student population.
C. Work based learning shall comply with Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 180-50-315 and 392-121-124.
D. Contracting for alternative learning experiences shall be subject to WAC 392-121-188 and Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 28A.150.305.
E. The district shall provide to parent(s) or guardian, a description of the difference between home-based instruction and alternative learning programs. The parent(s) or guardian must sign documentation indicating their understanding of the distinction. The district shall retain the statement of understanding and make it available for audit.
F. The district shall use reliable methods to insure a student is doing his or her own work, which may include proctoring examinations or projects.
G. District alternative learning programs, using digital or on-line learning will be accredited through the state accreditation program or through the regional accreditation program.
Accountability for Student Performance:
A. Students participating in alternative learning experiences shall be evaluated as follows:
1. Each student's progress shall be evaluated monthly, based on the learning goals and performance objectives defined in the written student learning plan.
2. The progress review will be conducted by certificated instructional staff and include direct personal contact (as defined by district policy) with the student. The results of the review will be shared with the student and the student's parent.
3. Certificated instructional staff will determine whether the student is making satisfactory progress in meeting the written student learning plan.
4. If the student fails to make satisfactory progress for two consecutive evaluation periods an intervention plan shall be developed and implemented. The intervention plan will be developed by certificated instructional staff in collaboration with the student, and for students in K-8, the student's parent(s) or guardian.
5. If after three consecutive evaluations, the student is not making progress, a new plan designed to meet the student's needs shall be developed and implemented.
B. Students in alternative learning programs shall be assessed using the state assessment for the student's grade level and using other annual assessments required by the district. Part-time and homeschool students are not required to participate in the statewide assessments required under RCW 28A.655.
C. Students attending an alternative learning program outside their district shall participate in any required annual state assessments at the district or residence. The enrolling district shall coordinate the test taking.
Program Evaluation:
The district will periodically evaluate its program in a manner designed to objectively measure its effectiveness.
Annual Reporting:
The district will report annually to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) on the alternative learning programs and courses offered by the district. The report shall include student headcount; full-time equivalent enrollment claimed for basic education funding; the ratio of certificated instructional staff to full-time equivalent alternative learning students; and identify alternative learning students receiving instruction under contract.
Documentation:
The district will retain the appropriate records for audit purposes. Documents shall include a school board policy, annual reports to the school board and to OSPI, student learning plans, student progress reviews and evaluations, student enrollment detail, and signed parent(s) or guardian enrollment forms.