Approved online school programs must submit their updated information by March 2, 2020. Program contact information, program description, 2018-2019 completion and passing rates, and 2018-2019 teacher-to-student ratio will be collected. Forms will be sent out in February. Please contact Nicole González with any questions about this requirement.
The 2017 legislature passed two separate bills amending RCW 28A.320.192, HB 1444, and SB 5241. State law previously encouraged school districts to adopt policies and practices that removed barriers to granting partial high school credits to highly mobile youth.
The changes to the law now require districts to adopt policies and practices to assist four specific groups of students in on-time grade level progression and graduation.
The four student groups identified in the law are:
- Students experiencing homelessness.
- Dependent children (students in foster care).
- Children in Need of Services (CHINS).
- At-Risk Youth (ARY).
In October of 2019 OSPI issued new guidance to promote consistent, statewide implementation of procedures that support highly mobile youth. For additional information, please see OSPI Bulletin No. 004-20.
The ALE Advisory Committee met on January 22, 2020. Representatives from programs across the state, Washington Association for Learning Alternatives (WALA), and the Alternative Learning Department (ALD) discussed the following topics:
- ALE rule change update
- ALE Administrator meeting debrief
- Substantially similar reporting
- Spring WALA conference session planning
- Alternative learning professional learning networks
For questions about the ALE Advisory Committee, please contact WALA or the ALD.
The 2020 legislative session is in full swing! The Alternative Learning Department is closely monitoring a variety of bills. 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
Modifying certain common school provisions
House Bill 1076 https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1076&Year=2019&Initiative=false
Creating an innovative learning pilot program
Senate Bill 6521 https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1076&Year=2019&Initiative=false
Supporting parental school choice
Senate Bill 6608 https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6608&Initiative=false&Year=2019
Syllabi, courses vs classes, and CEDARS compliance
When developing a Written Student Learning Plans (WSLP), specific course information must be included in either the WSLP or the syllabus. WAC 392-121-182 (3)(p)(iv) A description of each alternative learning experience course or course work included as part of the learning plan, including:
- specific learning goals,
- performance objectives, and
- learning activities for each course, written in a manner that facilitates monthly evaluation of student progress.
This requirement may be met through the use of individual course syllabi or other similarly detailed descriptions of learning requirements.
The description must clearly identify the requirements a student must meet to successfully complete the course or course work.
Courses or course work must be identified using:
- course names,
- codes, and
- designators specified in the most recent Comprehensive Education Data and Research System (CEDARS)* data manual published by the office of superintendent of public instruction.
What does this mean?
To meet this requirement, detailed information, as listed in the WAC above, about each course must be available to families, students, and easily accessible in the event of a state audit or OSPI compliance review. This may be met via student files, a centralized notebook, or online via a student communication platform or the program’s website.
*CEDARS codes (state course codes) should be included on the WSLP in the course listing, and/or on the syllabus for each course.
- Codes are 5-digit codes that summarize the curriculum.
- E.g., 01002 = English 10; 03003 = Environmental Science
- Non-high school level codes should have an “N” designation for Non-Rigor.
- E.g., 03237N = Science (grade 7); 04061N = World Area Studies; WA0007 = Miscellaneous Elementary Curriculum
What is the difference between courses and classes?
Courses are units of study, i.e., English 9, geometry, grade 3 comprehensive studies, Science 8.
Classes are in-person experiences that support the courses listed on a student’s WSLP. Any classes that are paid for by district ALE funds must support students’ WSLPs.
Students may only be enrolled in classes that have a direct connection to the courses on their WSLP. For example: A student with only ELA, Math 6, Social Studies on their WSLP may not take a science class in horticulture, but a student in a 6th grade comprehensive course may WAC 392-121-182(3)(f)(ii).
Listing CEDARS codes in the Student Information System
Each student must be scheduled into “Courses” in the district’s student information system (SIS). Each course is connected to a “Curriculum” that specifies the CEDARS code.
These scheduled courses should:
- match the student’s WSLP course listing; and
- include the ALE Course Type at the “Section” level
- O = Online
- T = Site-based Weekly
- U = Site-based Not Weekly
- R = Remote
For information on how to schedule students, connect the CEDARS codes to the courses and curriculum and add ALE Course Types, connect with your SIS administrator or trainer.
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GATE Equity Webinar Series Regular monthly webinars. Information and registration available through the GATE website.
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Online Learning Advisory Committee 9:30 AM on February 12, 2020. This meeting will be held remotely and can be accessed via Zoom.
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Digital Learning Annual Conference (DLAC) February 24-26, 2020, Austin, TX, For more information, visit the DLAC website
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45th Annual WALA Spring Conference March 5-7, 2020, Skamania Lodge, Stevenson, WA. For more information, visit the WALA website.
Contact Us!
For more information about Alternative Learning, please contact us at ALDInfo@k12.wa.us, or visit our newly updated website here.
For specific questions, contact us by email:
ALE Programs: Anissa Sharratt ALE/Reengagement Compliance: Liz Quayle Online Learning: Nicole González
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