Skip To Main Content

Search Panel

Schools Menu

2255P - Alternative Learning Experience Programs Procedure

I. Approved Programs

Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) courses and programs are subject to District approval. The District has approved certain online learning courses that may be taken as part of a student’s regular schedule. Students and parents should consult with the District’s Online Learning Coordinator for a list of approved courses.

II. Student Eligibility

All students in grades 7-12 are eligible to participate in ALE programs. ALE courses are accessible to all eligible students, including students with disabilities.

III. General Requirements

Every student enrolled in an ALE course must have a written individual plan developed by the student’s supervisor in collaboration with the student, the student’s parents, and other interested parties. The plan must satisfy all requirements set forth in this Procedure, OSPI’s requirements for courses of study and equivalencies, and the District’s high school credit and graduation requirements.

The student’s supervisor must be a certificated teacher of the District or of a contractor as defined in WAC 392-121-188, or an instructional staff member working with certificated staff/contractor. The student’s supervisor has primary responsibility and accountability for the plan, including supervision, monitoring, evaluation, and documentation. The instructional materials used must be approved pursuant to District policies, including 2020. The plan must be revised as necessary to ensure satisfactory progress. 

An ALE course must include adequate weekly contact with a certificated teacher or staff member at least once each calendar month, consistent with this Procedure, District evaluation and grading procedures, and with WAC 391-121-182.

To obtain approval for enrollment in an ALE course, a student must fill out Form 2410F7 in consultation with the District’s Online Learning Coordinator and then follow the instructions on the form for submitting the request.

IV. Specific Requirements

A. Written Student Learning Plan

Each written student learning plan for one or more ALE courses must include at least the following elements:

  1. Identification of the plan supervisor and certificated teacher or staff member responsible for each ALE course;
  2. A schedule of the duration of the program, including the beginning and ending dates;
  3. A description of the specific learning goals, performance objectives, and learning activities of each ALE course, which may be provided through course syllabi or other detailed attachments, identifying courses or course work using the names, codes, and designators specified in OSPI’s most recent Comprehensive Education Data and Research System manual;
  4. An estimate by the plan supervisor of the average number of hours per week that the student will engage in learning activities to accomplish the objectives of the plan;
  5. A description of how weekly contact requirements will be fulfilled;
  6. A list of all instructional materials that will be used to complete the learning plan;
  7. A timeline and method for evaluating student progress toward the learning goals and performance objectives specified in the learning plan; and
  8. An indication of whether each ALE course meets one or more of the state essential academic learning requirements defined by the District, and for high school courses, whether the ALE course meets state and District graduation requirements.

B. Weekly Contact

Each student enrolled in an alternative learning experience program must 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. This contact may be accomplished by a face-to-face meeting with the student, and if appropriate with the parent or guardian, or through the use of telephone, e-mail, instant messaging, interactive video communication, or other means of digital communication.

C. Progress Evaluations

Each student’s educational progress will be reviewed at least monthly and must be documented. The results of the reviews shall be shared with the students and with the parent or guardian of students in grade 7-8 programs. If a student does not make satisfactory progress in the activities identified in his or her plan, a revised plan may be required in accordance with WAC 392-121-182.

The methods for determining satisfactory progress must be consistent with District evaluation and grading procedures and outlined in the written student learning plan, and may include:

  • Progress grades;
  • Assignment completion rates;
  • Non-academic factors such as attendance, attitude, and behavior; and
  • Local school expectations.

Overall progress must be evaluated by proctored examination. The District will proctor midterm and final exams to insure a student is doing his or her own work and the District academic integrity/dishonesty policy will apply.

V. Student Responsibilities

Students enrolled in an ALE program must meet all requirements and expectations set forth in the written learning plan and must meet weekly with the teacher/mentor at their school. The day of the week and time will be communicated to the student at the time of registration.

VI. Parental Notice and Responsibilities

Prior to a student’s enrollment in an ALE course, the District will provide the student’s parent(s) with a description of the difference between home-based instruction and ALE. Upon receipt of that information, the parent must sign documentation attesting that he/she understands the difference.

VII. Designated District Official

The District’s Online Learning Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the District’s ALE courses and programs, including monitoring compliance, approving of specific courses or programs, reporting annually to the District Board, and ensuring all other reporting requirements are met.

Last Revised:

5/1/2019

Related Procedures: