The 2021 legislative session has begun! The Alternative Learning Department is closely monitoring a variety of bills. You can find more information on these bills via the links below.
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Concerning the emergency waiver of graduation requirements.
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Concerning high school graduation credit and pathway options.
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Concerning school attendance.
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Exploring alternative school calendars.
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Concerning professional learning, equity, cultural competency, and dismantling institutional racism in the public school system.
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Teaching Washington's tribal history, culture, and government.
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Establishing a building point of contact in all K-12 public schools for students in foster care.
More information about the 2021 legislative session including committee schedules and hearing agendas can be found on the Washington State Legislature website.
The ALE Advisory Committee met on January 20. Representatives from programs across the state, Washington Association for Learning Alternatives (WALA), and the Alternative Learning Department (ALD) met to participate in a data dive and discussed the following topics:
- ALE Administrator Meeting
- 2021 committee goals
- ALE guidance needs
For questions about the ALE Advisory Committee, please contact WALA or the ALD.
K–12 Internet Access Program
The K–12 Internet Access Program connects students in need to internet access at home with no cost to the student or their family. Through the program, students whose families are low-income and are not currently connected to the internet can get connected through the end of the 2020–21 school year for free. There are two parts to the program:
- Option 1 - Direct Payment by OSPI
If your district has not already done so, Step 1 in the process is to identify your district contact in an email message to dennis.small@k12.wa.us.
- Option 2 – District Reimbursement
OSPI can provide up to $10 per month plus up to $5 monthly in taxes and fees in partial reimbursement to the district.
- Extension of OSPI Direct Payment Option
Extension of the deadline for new eligible families to sign up for the program is to March 31, 2020. OSPI has removed the initial requirement that families did not have internet access prior to August 2020.
- Expansion of Partial Reimbursement Option
OSPI is also expanding the reimbursement program for districts, so if your district is paying for internet access for any FRPL-eligible families for whom they are NOT currently being reimbursed by OSPI, you can now apply via iGrants Form Package 994 for reimbursement.
OLAC Meeting
The Online Learning Advisory Committee (OLAC) is meeting on Wednesday, February 12, 2021 at 9:30 am. This meeting is open to the public and is accessible via Zoom.
Graduation Pathways Snapshot, Class of 2020
In 2019, the Legislature established different pathways for students to meet state graduation requirements in a manner consistent with their postsecondary interests and goals. The Class of 2020 was the first graduating class required to meet one or more graduation pathways. This report contains information and data about the pathways available in each school district; the number of students who utilized each pathway; as well as student participation in each pathway disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and income status.
Strong Relationships, Social and Emotional Skills can Support Academic Success (link)
While not a surprise to many ALE staff, this resource delves into more detail about the importance of a caring adult.
“Early data from a new Child Trends evaluation of youthCONNECT, an integrated student supports initiative aimed at high school students, show that strong relationships with adults and social and emotional skills are associated with academic success. Additionally, students who reported having an adult with whom they could discuss educational and career goals reported engaging in fewer risky behaviors, which can also support academic success”. Taken from the Children’s Mental Health Network Newsletter.
SEL Survey
Your thoughts and perspectives are important to us. The SEL Data and Evaluation subcommittee is seeking feedback from community, especially from members of groups who have been historically or systemically marginalized. This feedback will help us learn what young people need to thrive. This might include:
- examples of how children/students bring their whole self to their education, and
- developing an understanding what a thriving community looks like.
Our subcommittee is also seeking feedback from the educational field (e.g., districts, charter schools, tribal compact schools, and other learning communities) for examples of how they address collect and review SEL data with the ‘shared power’ concept and the below four considerations in mind.
Click here to go to the short survey regarding the following questions:
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Question for community: What do educators need to look for and put in place to make sure that your young people are thriving socially and emotionally and bringing their whole self (e.g., being able to be themselves, who they are, feeling like they belong where they learn) to their education?
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Question for the educational field: What examples do you have that address SEL data collection and review? What examples do you have that address the ‘shared power’ concept and the above four considerations?
- Share links of materials, narrative, and/or other feedback.
We are asking that you complete the survey by February 5, 2021.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Tammy Bolen at OSPI at tammy.bolen@k12.wa.us or Cindi Wiek at Cindi.wiek@k12.wa.us.
Evidence of Intervention Plan Participation
We have received several questions about the requirements for documenting student and parent participation in the Intervention Plan.
We are formalizing our guidance, and will send it out separately.
The purpose of the Leaders of Learning Alternatives (LoLA) Focus Area Network is to support collaboration between ESDs and OSPI/OSSI to organize and support regional networks for alternative learning leaders.
For more information, contact Lori Scott, ESD 123, or Dixie Grunenfelder at OSPI/OSSI.
In partnership with Always Be Learning.
Note: Focus is on Alternative Learning Education (ALE); Open Doors staff are welcome.
Sign up now for this new 3-part Workshop Series! (Sessions 2 & 3 are still available)
Session 1: ALE College and Career Readiness (CCR) Now Monday, January 25, 2021 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Session 2: Exploring Ideas for Improving ALE College and Career Readiness Monday, March 22, 2021 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Session 3: Exploring Innovative ALE School Designs and Possibilities Monday, May 24, 2021 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Participants can register through the following Google Form: Leading Through the Master Schedule REGISTRATION
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Note: Washington Association for Learning Alternatives Spring Conference has been cancelled. For more information, follow the WALA website.
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GATE Equity Webinar Series Regular monthly webinars. Information and registration available through the GATE website.
Contact Us!
For more information about Alternative Learning, please contact us at ALDInfo@k12.wa.us, or visit our OSPI Learning Alternatives website.
For specific questions, contact us by email:
ALE Programs: Anissa Sharratt ALE/Reengagement Compliance: Liz Quayle Online Learning: Nicole González
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