Procedure No. 2255P

Alternative Learning Experience Courses

1. Definitions

a. Alternative learning experience (ALE) means a course or, for grades kindergarten through eight, grade-level course work, that is a delivery method of basic education and is: independently from a regular classroom setting or schedule, but may include components of direct instruction;
b. Supervised, monitored, assessed, evaluated, and documented by a certificated teacher employed or contracted by the school district.
c. Provided in accordance with a written student-learning plan that is implemented pursuant to the district’s policy and Chapter 392-550, WAC.

2. Online courses are courses or grade-level coursework where:

a. More than half of the course content is delivered electronically using the internet or other computer-based methods;
b. More than half of the teaching is conducted from a remote location through an online course learning management system or other online or electronic tools;
c. A certificated teacher has the primary responsibility for the student's instructional interaction. Instructional interaction between the teacher and the student includes, but is not limited to, direct instruction, review of assignments, assessment, testing, progress monitoring, and educational facilitation; and
d. Students have access to the teacher synchronously, asynchronously, or both.

3. Remote course means an alternative learning experience course or course work that is not an online course where the written student-learning plan for the course does not include a requirement for in-person instructional contact time.

4. Site-based course means an alternative learning experience course or course work that is not an online course where the written student-learning plan for the course includes a requirement for in-person instructional contact time.

Student Eligibility and Enrollment 

1. ALE courses will be available to all students, including students with disabilities.
2. All students in grades 6-12 are eligible to participate in ALE programs.
3. Students who wish to enroll in an ALE program must satisfy the following additional eligibility criteria: If student has an IEP, placement in an ALE setting must be agreed upon by student’s case management team.
4. Students enrolling in an ALE must have a Written Student Learning Plan (WSLP) as defined in WAC 392-550.
5. Families must be notified of the difference between ALE and home-based instruction prior to enrollment.
6. Each applicant (and parent) will have an intake meeting, either in person or virtually. The purpose of this is ensure student and parent awareness of the demands of online learning.

Student Performance 

1. Students participating in ALE will be evaluated monthly by a certificated instructional staff, or, for students whose written student learning plans include only online classes, school based support staff, to track student progress toward completion and to establish whether an intervention plan should be developed, in accordance with WAC 392-550. 
2. The methods for determining satisfactory progress shall be outlined in the written student learning plan and may include: WAC 392-550-025 (ii) Each student's educational progress evaluation must be based on the learning goals and performance objectives defined in the written student learning plan;  (ii) The evaluation of satisfactory progress must be conducted in a manner consistent with school district or charter school student evaluation or grading procedures, and be based on the professional judgment of a certificated teacher;

Student Responsibilities 

1. Students enrolled in an ALE program must meet the contact requirements defined in WAC 392-550.
2. Students are required to participate, either in-person or virtually, in a weekly Academic Success class.

District Verification of Student Work 

The district will use reliable methods to verify a student is doing his or her own work. These may include, but are not limited to: 

1. Proctored examinations;
2. Proctored projects;
3. In-person presentations; or
4. Real-time presentations using videoconference technology.

Initially Adopted: March 27, 2006

Adopted: January 25, 2010

Amended: March 8, 2021