Alternative Learning Experiences

Guidance and Documentation

  • The annotated rules includes the relevant rule text, explanations, common questions, and sample forms for each section or sub-section.
  • The common questions page gathers all of the questions and answers on to a single page.
  • Sample forms developed by a working group that included representation from WALA, the State Auditor's Office, OSPI, and several ALE programs. They are intended to be used as samples, and use of the sample forms provided is not required.

ALE Training Sessions

OSPI conducted multiple trainings on the ALE rules in late August, 2011. While no additional trainings are scheduled at this time, you can view the handouts and watch the recordings of two of the webinars.

Handouts

Download the training handouts (4.2MB PDF)

Webinar Recordings

8/30/11 ALE training (440 MB Windows Media) Note: the first few minutes of the recording are cut off.

9/1/11 ALE training (310 MB Windows Media)

Permanent ALE Rules Filed - August 22, 2011

On June 22, 2011 OSPI filed an official proposal for rule making to permanently adopt amendments to WAC 392-121-182 that were required as a result of passage of ESHB2065 by the 2011 Washington State Legislature. These amendments were also adopted on an emergency basis on June 22, 2011.

OSPI received numerous comments on this proposal during a formal written comment period and at a hearing held on August 17, 2011. In response to these comments certain changes, described generally below, were made to the proposed amended rule. These changes were filed in a permanent rule-making order dated August 22, 2011, and will be distributed in the next Washington State Register. You can see the changes here.

The following substantive changes were made to the proposed rule:

  • Subsection 3(g)—definition of “substantially similar.” The definition was modified using the word “similar” in place of “the same” or “equivalent” to be more consistent with the concept of “substantially similar.”
  • Subsection 8—differentiated funding. For ALE programs intending to qualify for 90% apportionment funding instead of 80% apportionment funding, reduced contact time options were included for students enrolled in ALE programs less than full time.

Because the changes required by ESHB 2065 must take effect for the 2011-2012 school year, these rule amendments take effect September 1, 2011.

ALE Rules Update - 6/23/2011

Download the amended version of WAC 392-121-182 (PDF)

In an effort to quickly implement ESHB 2065, an act relating to funding for students enrolled in alternative learning experiences (ALE) passed by the 2011 Washington State Legislature, OSPI has filed an emergency rule adoption (CR-103E) amending WAC 392-121-182. The amended rule includes the new requirements and restrictions for ALE identified in ESHB 2065. The emergency rule goes into effect September 1, 2011, but will expire 120 days after the filing date, on October 22, 2011. In order to permanently adopt these amendments to the ALE rule, OSPI also filed a CR-102, which is a notice of proposed permanent rule-making. This CR-102 includes the proposed amendments and schedules a hearing on these proposed amendments, to be held at OSPI, in the Brouillet conference room, at 10am on August 17, 2011. Written comments on the proposal should be sent to karl.nelson@k12.wa.us. OSPI posts its rule calendar here. Both the emergency rule and the proposed permanent rule will be distributed in the Washington State Register by July 20, 2011.

The following is an overview of the changes made to WAC 392-121-182:

  • The definitions are changed to align with the definitions codified in ESHB 2065;
  • A definition of "substantially similar experiences and services" is added;
  • A definition for "synchronous digital instructional contact" is added;
  • Additional restrictions on parent or student reimbursements; purchases of materials, supplies, and equipment; and purchases or contracts for instructional experiences or services are added to the existing restrictions already in rule;
  • A prohibition against compensating staff as an incentive to increase ALE enrollment is added;
  • A new sub-section on differential funding, as required by ESHB 2065, is added, which administers a 20% cut to general apportionment for all ALE programs, unless an ALE program accomplishes face to face teacher/student contact for an average of 1 hour per week during each month the student is enrolled in the ALE program. An exception is allowed for online ALE programs, allowing for synchronous digital contact for students with learning plans that include only online courses. Programs that meet these contact time requirements will receive a 10% cut to general apportionment; and
  • New reporting and documentation requirements are added to comply with ESHB 2065.

Updates and Communication

To subscribe to the ALE Information mailing list for updates on the ALE workgroup progress, please visit: https://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/aleinfo

Please note that our list is hosted by the University of Washington so be sure to follow the directions for persons outside the UW.