Section 3a: Alternative learning experience
Rule Text
(3) Definitions: For the purposes of this section the following definitions apply:
(a)(i) "Alternative learning experience" means:
(A) A course or a set of courses developed by a certificated teacher and documented in an individual written student learning plan for any student who meets the definition for enrollment specified by WAC 392-121-106. A student may enroll part-time in an alternative learning experience. Such enrollment is subject to the provisions of RCW 28A.150.350 and chapter 392-134 WAC; and
(B) The student pursues the requirements of the written student learning plan in whole or in part independently from a regular classroom setting or schedule, but the learning plan may include some components of direct instruction; and
(C) The student's learning is supervised, monitored, assessed, evaluated, and documented by a certificated teacher.
(ii) The broad categories of alternative learning experience programs include, but are not limited to:
(A) On-line programs as defined in RCW 28A.150.262;
(B) Parent partnership programs that include significant participation and partnership by parents and families in the design and implementation of a student's learning experience; and
(C) Contract based learning programs.
Comments
This subsection defines ALE. The most important distinction between ALE and other state-funded education is that with ALE the learning occurs "in whole or in part independent from the regular classroom setting or schedule."
Notice that ALE is defined in terms of a "course or set of courses developed by a certificated teacher and documented in an individual written student learning plan." A course typically has, among other things, a defined subject matter; a curriculum or other organized materials that functions as the learning "roadmap" for the teacher and the student; a set of instructional lectures, lessons, activities, or experiences intended to impart the curriculum; a defined set of learning objectives or outcomes; and a specified method for determining if these objectives or outcomes have been met.
Common Questions
Q. What are alternative learning experiences?
A. An alternative learning experience (ALE) is a course or set of courses for public school students that are primarily characterized by learning activities that occur away from the regular public school classroom setting. The specific requirements and expectations of these away-from-school learning activities are detailed in a written student learning plan (WSLP) developed and supervised by a certificated public school teacher. In order to receive state basic education funding for ALE, a school district must comply with the ALE funding requirements detailed in WAC 392-121-182.
Last updated: 8/12/2011
Q. What are the regulatory requirements (rules) for alternative learning experiences?
A. Washington State law, RCW 28A.150, defines the general requirements for ALE. This law delegates authority to OSPI to develop administrative rules to implement ALE requirements. These requirements are spelled out in WAC 392-121-182. These rules have been in existence for many years, and were most recently amended in June 2011. The ALE rules are school finance rules, allowing school districts to establish programs and claim basic education funding for student learning experiences that occur primarily away from school. This is in contrast to the more commonly used "seat time" requirements for basic education funding, where school districts claim basic funding only for enrolled students who are expected to actually attend school each day for a specified number of hours. In addition to the requirements of WAC 392-121-182, ALE programs must comply with all other existing rules and laws governing public education in Washington State.
Last updated: 8/12/2011
Q. How is ALE different from home-based instruction?
A. Although ALE may be similar to home-based instruction in that it is characterized by learning that occurs away from school, it is not home-based instruction. ALE is a public school learning experience which is planned, developed, and supervised by a public school teacher. Home-based instruction is subject to specific state laws (RCW 28A.200 and RCW 28A.225.010) and planning and supervision falls under the authority of the parent, not the school district. Home-based students may enroll part-time in public school classes and programs, including ALE.
Last updated: 8/12/2011
Q. What are the different types of ALE?
A. Because of the flexible and innovative nature of ALE, it is difficult to categorize these learning options or programs into specific types. In general, though, there are three primary types of ALE programs: contract-based learning, online learning, and parent partnership programs. In some programs there is significant overlap among these three types. For example, a parent partnership program could offer contract-based learning to high school students, and offer courses using digital or online means. The following is a brief, generalized overview of these three types:
- Contract-based learning—usually limited to secondary students, and often used for credit retrieval or credit acceleration. Many alternative middle and high schools offer some form of contract-based learning, as do a smaller number of comprehensive high schools. The "contract" in "contract-based" refers to a learning contract between the student and the school, not to any contracts the district may hold with third-party vendors.
- ALE online program—many schools offer online learning courses, but claim funding for only the hours the student is in an on-site classroom. Online learning only becomes ALE when the student is engaged in learning away from school, and the school district is using the time the student engages in this away-from-school learning as part of the full-time equivalence (FTE) claimed for basic education apportionment. Online learning that occurs solely in a classroom setting under the direct supervision of teacher is not ALE. The requirements for ALE online programs, found at RCW 28A.150.262, form the basis for much of the requirements for ALL ALE.
- Parent partnership programs—these programs include significant participation and partnership by parents and families in the design and implementation of a student’s learning experience. But, as noted above, this type of ALE is not home-based instruction, because the school district is ultimately responsible for student learning, not the parent.
Last updated: 8/12/2011
A. Separate laws and rules govern work based learning. There are substantial differences between work based learning and ALE in how student FTE is calculated, and in how credit is issued. ALE programs that provide for work based learning should be clear about these distinctions and the additional requirements of work based learning pursuant to WAC 392-410-315. Programs should appropriately apply the work based learning rules (WAC 392-121-124) and not the ALE rules when claiming enrollment for work based learning programs. More information on WBL can be found on the OSPI Work-Based Learning page.
Last updated: 8/12/2011
Q. What is a part-time student?
A. A part-time student is a student who is enrolled in the public school for any amount of time less than a 1.0 FTE, and who is also receiving home-based instruction, or who is also enrolled in an approved private school.
Note that students can split enrollment between a regular instructional program and an ALE program. Generally speaking, these students are not considered to be “part-time” students because their enrollment totals 1.0 FTE between the two programs.
This does not include students enrolled less than full time in school with the agreement of school district officials. Examples of this type of partial enrollment:
- A high-school senior taking only one or two classes needed to graduate;
- A teen parent taking a limited course load because of his or her parenting responsibilities;
- A student with a chronic illness that limits his or her ability to take a full course load.
Last updated: 8/12/2011
A. If the program is operating under WAC 392-121-182, the answer is no. A district may not arbitrarily determine an alternative learning experience program is not open to part-time enrollment. The relevant law is RCW 28A.150.350. In summary, this law requires school districts to allow part-time enrollment "in the same manner as" for other public school students. Thus, ALE programs should not discriminate between full-time and part-time status when enrolling students in the program. Further, programs that may need to limit student enrollment based on budgetary constraints, or program design issues, or for other reasons, and that establish waiting lists, should not discriminate between full-time and part-time status when enrolling students from the waiting list.
Last updated: 8/12/2011
Q. When do I count a student for ancillary services and when do I count them as a part-time student?
A. Ancillary services are any co-curricular service or activity, any health care service or activity, or any other services or activities for or in which kindergarten through 12th grade students receive at a public school. Students receiving regularly scheduled instruction or services should be counted as a part-time student and reported based upon enrolled hours on OSPI form P-223. Students receiving instruction or services that are not regularly scheduled should be reported based upon actual contact hours on OSPI form P-240.
Last updated: 8/12/2011
A. Students who are participating in a course within the regular classroom setting and schedule are likely not ALE student, and can be claimed as “seat time” students.
Last updated: 9/16/2011
Relevant Forms or Samples
None.