Procedure: 2255P
Instruction
Alternative Learning Experience Courses
Definitions
A. Alternative learning experience (ALE) means a course or, for grades sixth through twelfth, grade-level course work, that is a delivery method of basic education and is:
1. Provided in whole or in part independently from a regular classroom setting or schedule, but may include components of direct instruction;
2. Supervised, monitored, assessed, evaluated, and documented by a certificated teacher employed or contracted by the school district.
3. 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:
1. More than half of the course content is delivered electronically using the internet or other computer-based methods;
2. 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;
3. 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
4. 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 sixth through twelfth are eligible to participate in ALE programs.
3. Students who wish to enroll in an ALE program must satisfy the following additional eligibility criteria:
- Have completed any required prerequisites and provide teacher/counselor recommendations to confirm that he/she possesses the academic level needed to function effectively in an online learning program;
- Comply with existing district policies for registering/enrolling in a course or district program;
- Students interested in attending an online school program in another district must follow the interdistrict transfer procedures prior to entering that program; and
- Re-entry after being dropped for lack of progress or attendance from an online course or program will require a meeting with parent/guardian and members of the online learning support 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.
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:
1. Progress grades;
2. Assignment completion rates;
3. Non-academic factors such as attendance, attitude, and behavior; and
4. Local school expectations.
Student Responsibilities
A. Students enrolled in an ALE program must meet the contact requirements defined in WAC 392-550;
B. Adhere to the district’s code of conduct for academic integrity especially as it regards cheating and plagiarism;
C. Comply with course/program participation and completion requirements, which may include completing some course assessments in a district facility with district staff supervision;
D. Maintain high academic involvement by logging in regularly and making consistent progress toward course completion;
E. Notify the district if participation in an online course/program ceases or changes;
F. Maintain agreed-upon levels and kinds of communication with the Online Learning Manager. The student needs to make phone or email contact once a week minimum with the Online Learning Manager and submit a minimum of one assignment per week per course. An in-person conference may be required if the student is not making adequate progress.
G. Participate in an online course/program orientation;
H. Attend regularly (A login constitutes attending. A login lapse of 20 days will result in being withdrawn from the course with the 20-day lapse at the student’s expense. Withdrawal will occur on the 21st day.); and
I. Take and complete all course assessments at designated school sites, unless an alternative is agreed to by the school’s online learning support team.
Failure to meet any one of these responsibilities may result in the student being withdrawn from their online course or program.
Parent and/or Guardian Responsibilities
A. Upon receipt of the district’s description of the description of the difference between home-based instruction and ALE, the parent must sign documentation attesting that he/she understands the difference;
B. Parents or guardians are responsible for costs/fees as outlined above in the Costs/Fees section;
C. Parents or guardians are responsible for seeking appropriate technology - per district recommendations - for student participation in coursework outside the school day or designated online learning period;
D. Parents or guardians are responsible for helping the student maintain agreed upon levels and kinds of communication with the Online Learning Manager throughout the term of the online course which may include providing transportation to the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District facility.
District Verification of Student Work
The district will use reliable methods to verify a student is doing his or her own work. These include, but are not limited to:
1. Proctored examinations;
2. Proctored projects;
3. In-person presentations; or
4. Real-time presentations using videoconference technology
Adopted 6/20/12
Revised 9/2016, 7/2017, 12/2025