February Alternative Learning Update

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 02/21/2020 05:02 PM PST

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ALE Rule Change Update
Graduation Pathways Beginning with the Class of 2020
Legislative Update
Compliance Corner
Upcoming Events

ALE Rule Change Update

Thank you to everyone who attended an ALE Rule Change Information Session!

We are making progress on our proposal and are in the final stages of filing a CR 102 and draft language. Once the draft language is filed, the CR 102 will be available on the OSPI Rulemaking Activity website.

Program Spotlights

WALA is gathering information on schools and programs in an effort to spotlight the great work occurring in alternative learning across the state. Complete the survey linked here if you are interested in participating.

Graduation Pathways Beginning with the Class of 2020

OSPI recently released Bulletin 007-20 which provides a summary of the changes for graduation requirements that are in place for the Class of 2020 and beyond. It also includes a detailed Graduation Pathways Toolkit which can be found on the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) website.

Legislative Update

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

Creating an innovative learning pilot program

Senate Bill 6521 https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1076&Year=2019&Initiative=false

Compliance Corner

Direct Personal Contact: What does it mean? What counts as direct student contact? What documentation of this contact must be kept?

Definition: Interactive, two-way weekly contact is with a certificated teacher related to the instructional goals outlined in the Written Student Learning Plan (WSLP). Contact must be between the teacher and the student (not the parent).

The purpose of the contact must be: instruction, review of assignments, testing, evaluation of student progress, or other learning activities or requirements identified in the WSLP.

Methods:

Direct personal contact in the form of one-to-one contact with a teacher. Direct personal contact can be in person or by email, telephone, instant messaging, or interactive video.
In-person instructional contact, which is face-to-face contact with a teacher in a classroom. In-person instructional contact may be accomplished in a group setting between the certificated teacher and multiple students.
Synchronous digital instructional contact, which is real-time communication with a teacher using online, voice, or video communication technology.

For younger pre-writing students not in weekly classes:

Quoted exchange via parent’s email indicating a direct exchange between student and teacher
SeeSaw, Skype, Google, or other digital student input software/app
Photos and videos via email or digital device
Phone calls!

Documentation: Evidence of weekly contact must be retained with the WSLP for 5 years beyond the end of the current school year, per the state retention schedule.

Attendance logs: via student information system, log books, sign-in sheets
Digital or printed copies of interactive digital communication, including email
Telephone logs: Be sure to log date, time, and content of the call.
Use screenshots of communication, sent to a school email, for documentation purposes
- Consider using Remind, Google Messages, or other messaging system that is disconnected from your personal phone number and maintains digital logs.

Upcoming Events

GATE Equity Webinar Series Regular monthly webinars. Information and registration available through the GATE website.
Digital Learning Annual Conference (DLAC) February 24-26, 2020, Austin, TX, For more information, visit the DLAC website
45^th 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

ALL STUDENTS PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, CAREERS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.

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OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200, 360-725-6162 (TTY: 360-664-3631), equity@k12.wa.us.