April Alternative Learning Update

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ALD
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ALE Year End Report & Webinar

In advance of the ALE Year End Report opening for submissions, the Alternative Learning Department (ALD) is offering a webinar that will cover an overview of the reporting process and changes for the 2018-19 school year.

Changes to the 2018-19 Year End Report include:

  • Updates to the substantially similar reporting spreadsheet 
  • Two additional questions for programs that claimed Full-day Kindergarten apportionment 

Join us May 9, 2019 from 10:00 - 11:00 for additional information on these changes and the reporting process. Register here


Truancy in ALE Update & Webinar

Join the ALD and Attendance Program Supervisor on May 30, 2019 from 2:00 - 3:00 for an update on OSPI’s work defining attendance and truancy in ALE and Online settings.

An overview of the following topics will be covered:

  • Background and intent of defining truancy and attendance in ALE settings
  • Stakeholder feedback to date
  • Upcoming rule revision process timeline
  • Guidance development planning

Register here for the webinar. 


Online Learning Summer Course Catalog Delay

OSPI has halted major updates to our current website as we will be releasing a new site in June.  For this reason, the summer course catalog has not been uploaded. Please contact approved providers for their summer course offerings. 

Thank you for your understanding.


Reminder: OSPI Website Changes

OSPI is getting a new website! The new website is currently scheduled to go live on June 30, 2019, and so we are entering into a transition phase. During this transition, you may notice limited updates to our current ALD website. If you have any questions about content or events on our ALD website please contact us as ALDInfo@k12.wa.us.


Reminder: Online Learning Seeking Workgroup Volunteers

The Alternative Learning Department (ALD) is exploring changes and clarifications to online learning guidance. To initiate this work we would like to convene three separate workgroups and are seeking volunteers for each one. Topics will include: 

  • 10% out-of-district cap on Single District Online School Programs
  • Definition of "electronic content" 
  • Creation of a Regional Online School Program category 

If you are interested in learning more about these workgroups, please contact Nicole González by July 1, 2019.


Legislative Update

The current legislative session is close to wrapping up. House Bills 1674, 1304, and 1089 appear to have stalled at this time, having failed to move past important cutoff deadlines. We continue to monitor the progress of House Bills 1599 and 1638.  You can find more information on these bills via the links below.

Changing Alternative Learning Experience to Personalized Learning Experience
House Bill 1674 https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?billnumber=1674&year=2019&initiative=False

CTE in ALE
House Bill 1304 https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1304&Initiative=false&Year=2019 

Certificates of Academic and Individual Achievement as Graduation Requirements
House Bill 1089 https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1089&Initiative=false&Year=2019

Promoting career and college readiness through modified high school graduation requirements
House Bill 1599 https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1599&Initiative=false&Year=2019

Promoting immunity against vaccine preventable diseases
House Bill 1638 https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1638&Initiative=false&Year=2019

For additional information on other bills that have passed the cutoff deadlines, or to sign-up for bill tracking updates, visit the WA Legislature website


April ALE Advisory Committee

The ALE Advisory Committee met on April 15, 2019. Representatives from programs across the state, Washington Association for Learning Alternatives (WALA), and the Alternative Learning Department (ALD) discussed the following topics: 

  • 2019 legislative update
  • 2018-19 ALE Year End Report updates
  • Attendance and truancy in ALE 
  • Residency WAC
  • Improving ALE practices, resources, and awareness 

For questions about the ALE Advisory Committee, please contact WALA or the ALD.  


Compliance Corner - Satisfactory Progress

Question
How is satisfactory progress defined?

Guidance
Per section 4(c) of WAC 392-121-182, the educational progress of each student enrolled in an alternative learning experience must be evaluated monthly by a certificated teacher or, for students whose written student learning plan (WSLP) includes only online classes, school-based support staff. The evaluation must be based on the learning goals and performance objectives defined in the WSLP. A determination of satisfactory progress must be consistent with school district student evaluation or grading procedures, and be based on the professional judgement of a certificated teacher. 

Based on this requirement in WAC 392-121-182, each district and program defines satisfactory progress through its district policy (usually #2255) and the WSLP.

Considerations
When implementing this component of WAC 392-121-182, consider the following: 

  • The monthly evaluation is an overall review, determined by the progress made over the course of the month as demonstrated by such factors as: assignment scores, weekly progress checks, attendance/participation, local school expectations, and the teacher’s professional judgment, as outlined in the district policy and/or WSLP.
  • Key points for the district policy/WSLP:
    • Goals should be measurable.
    • Satisfactory progress can be demonstrated by earning passing scores in all courses; a percentage of courses; or, by attending a class and completing a set number of assignments.
    • Some programs require a minimum overall percentage in order to have achieved satisfactory progress.
  • Strict limits on satisfactory progress in the district policy do not allow for life events and individual needs. A statement allowing for the teacher’s professional judgment can provide some flexibility.

Questions? 
Contact Liz Quayle, ALE & Reengagement Compliance Manager.


Upcoming Events

GATE Equity Webinars
May 8, 2019 - Mental Health
June 12, 2019 - Graduation 
Additional information here

MTSS Fest East 2019
May 6-7, 2019
Spokane, WA
Additional information here

Online Learning Advisory Committee
May 8, 2019
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
WEA Headquarters in Federal Way, WA

ALE Year End Report Webinar
May 9, 2019
10:00 - 11:00 AM
Register here

Attendance and Truancy in ALE Webinar
May 30, 2019
2:00 - 3:00
Register here

OSPI Student Support Conference
May 23-24, 2019
Wenatchee, WA
Additional information here

AWSP/WASA Summer Conference
June 30 - July 2, 2019
Spokane, WA
Additional information here