2255P - Alternative Learning Experience Programs Procedure
Definitions
1. Alternative learning experience (ALE) means a course or, for grades kindergarten through eight, grade-level course work, that is a delivery method of basic education and is:
- Provided in whole or in part independently from a regular classroom setting or schedule, but may include components of direct instruction;
- Supervised, monitored, assessed, evaluated, and documented by a certificated teacher employed or contracted by the school district.
- Provided in accordance with a written student-learning plan that is implemented pursuant to the district’s policy and Chapter 392-550, WAC.
2. Online courses are courses or grade-level coursework where:
- More than half of the course content is delivered electronically using the internet or other computer-based methods;
- More than half of the teaching is conducted from a remote location through an online course learning management system or other online or electronic tools;
- A certificated teacher has the primary responsibility for the student's instructional interaction. Instructional interaction between the teacher and the student includes, but is not limited to, direct instruction, review of assignments, assessment, testing, progress monitoring, and educational facilitation; and
- Students have access to the teacher synchronously, asynchronously, or both.
3. Remote course means an alternative learning experience course or course work that is not an online course where the written student-learning plan for the course does not include a requirement for in-person instructional contact time.
4. Site-based course means an alternative learning experience course or course work that is not an online course where the written student-learning plan for the course includes a requirement for in-person instructional contact time.
Student Eligibility and Enrollment
1. ALE courses will be available to all students, including students with disabilities.
2. All students in grades 6-12 are eligible to participate in ALE programs.
3. Students who wish to enroll in an ALE program must satisfy the following additional eligibility criteria:
- Pass (59.5% or higher) their previous ISD online learning course (s)
- If previously enrolled in ISD Online Learning, student must have followed ALE weekly check-in and monthly progress review requirements
- Discuss course selection with their school counselor
- Complete and submit ISD Online Learning ALE Student Participation Agreement (each term)
- Attend student orientation via zoom or in person.
4. Students enrolling in an ALE must have a Written Student Learning Plan (WSLP) as defined in WAC 392-550.
5. Families must be notified of difference between ALE and home-based instruction prior to enrollment.
6. All registration is done through the Issaquah School District Online Learning Department. Please visit the ISD Online Learning High School Applications page or the ISD Online Learning Middle School Applications page to learn more.
Student Performance
1. Students participating in ALE will be evaluated monthly by a certificated instructional staff, or, for students whose written student learning plans include only online classes, school based support staff, to track student progress toward completion and to establish whether an intervention plan should be developed, in accordance with WAC 392-550.
2. The methods for determining satisfactory progress shall be 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.
Student Responsibilities
1. Students enrolled in an ALE program must meet the contact requirements defined in WAC 392-550.
- Weekly Check-ins: Students communicate each week (M-F) with their Online Learning mentor via email, Canvas, zoom, phone and/or in person.
- Monthly Progress Reviews (MPRs): Each month students are notified on specific dates if they are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory based on their current progress in the course.
- Students current grade must be 59.5% or higher to earn Satisfactory on MPR.
- Students who earn Unsatisfactory #1 will be required to schedule a one (1) hour support session with their mentor once a weekly until their next MPR via Zoom or in person. Attendance is tracked.
- Students who earn Unsatisfactory #2 (consecutively) will be placed on campus at the District Administration Building once a week for a two (2) hour session to work on their course with the Online Learning mentor. Attendance is tracked.
- Students who earn Unsatisfactory #3 (consecutively) will be placed on campus at the District Administration Building twice a week for a two (2) hour session to work on their course with their Online Learning mentor. Attendance is tracked.
2. Complete, submit, and follow the ISD Online Learning ALE Student Participation Agreement (each term)
3. Attend student orientation via zoom or in person.
4. Students may not be on campus at their local high school or middle school during their assigned off campus (ALE) Online Learning class period.
Parent Responsibilities
1. If student is unable to walk and/or drive themselves to school, the parent/caregiver will need to provide transportation in the morning and/or afternoon to the student’s school, testing location and/or Administration Building for support sessions.
2. Parent (s)/caregiver(s) are welcome and encouraged to join each term’s (fall/spring/summer) student orientation dependent on the term their student is enrolled in.
3. It is recommended that parent (s)/caregiver(s) check their student’s grades weekly on Canvas and check in with their student regarding their online learning course (s).
District Verification of Student Work
The District will use reliable methods to verify a student is doing his or her own work. These include, but are not limited to:
- Proctored examinations;
- Proctored projects;
- In-person presentations; or
- Real-time presentations using videoconference technology.