From the ECS State Policy Database At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education

This database is made possible by your state's fiscal support of the Education Commission of the States (ECS). Most entries are legislative, although rules/regulations and executive orders that make substantive changes are included. Every effort is made to collect the latest available version of policies; in some instances, recent changes might not be reflected. For expediency purposes minimal attention has been paid to style (capitalization, punctuation) and format. Please cite use of the database as: Education Commission of the States (ECS) State Policy Database, retrieved [date]. State Status/Date Level Summary LA Adopted 07/2012 P-12 From July 2012 Louisiana Register: This policy revision, related to approval for alternative schools or programs, will ensure that LEAs comply with prescribed polices and standards for approval of alternative schools and programs. Revisions include: (1) establishing a deadline for alternative program approval by BESE (July 1 of a given year); (2) revising the deadline for the department of education to provide an annual report from alternative schools/programs to BESE (June to September); and (3) establishing monitoring for alternative schools and programs as needed. Revisions to Bulletin 111, Chapter 35 (Inclusion of Alternative Education Schools and Students in Accountability), defined and distinguished alternative schools and programs and established the category within the school accountability. These revisions required the establishment of a deadline for alternative program approval by BESE. Pages 115-116 of 411: http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osr/reg/1207/1207.pdf Title: LAC 28:CXV.2903 Source: www.doa.louisiana.gov LA Signed into law 06/2012 P-12 Transfers responsibility for placing a student in alternative school or alternative educational placement from local board to local superintendent. Removes certain exceptions to requirement that a suspended or expelled student remain under the suspending or expelling district's supervision. Requires a student placed in an alternative school or alternative education program to attend and participate in such program. Requires such student's parent, tutor, or legal guardian to ensure such attendance, and makes parental violation of this requirement subject to specified penalties set forth in compulsory attendance laws. Requires visiting teachers or supervisors of child welfare and attendance to file court proceedings to enforce these truancy provisions. Requires state board rules and regulations to provide for local governing entities to enter into an agreement with an education service provider for the education of delinquent, adjudicated or student subject to certain other circumstances. Requires rules and regulations to include certain elements, including the required offering of specified academic, behavioral, and mental health interventions (including credit recovery and on-site access to at least one career or vocational certification option) to support the on-time graduation of students who are suspended, expelled, or at high risk for dropping out or entry into the juvenile justice system. Provides that nothing shall prohibit a nonprofit organization providing such alternative education services from applying to operate a charter school. Requires the governing authority of a Type 5 charter school to receive approval from the superintendent of the Recovery School District before entering into an agreement with an educational service provider for alternative education services, and provides such agreement is not subject to specified provisions. Provides that any existing agreement and any prospective agreement between the Recovery School District and an educational service provider for alternative education is not subject to specified provisions, but is subject to the state superintendent's approval. Repeals provisions (1) allowing local waivers from requirements to provide alternative education to suspended or expelled students and (2) requiring dismissal of expelled students exhibiting disorderly conduct at an alternative education program. http://legis.la.gov/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=812492 Title: H.B. 1209 Source: legis.la.gov KY Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Defines "alternative education program." Prohibits a superintendent from assigning an employee to an alternative education program in the disposition of any disciplinary action involving the employee, or as part of a corrective action plan established pursuant to the local district evaluation plan. http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/12RS/HB168/bill.doc Title: H.B. 168 Source: www.lrc.ky.gov MD Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Raises from 16 to 17 the maximum age at which children are required to attend a public school regularly during the entire school year, subject to specified exceptions. To take effect July 1, 2015. Raises the maximum age from 17 to 18, with specified exception to take effective July 1, 2017. Requires the State Department of Education on or before December 1, 2012 to develop a GED Options Program and request the departmental legislation necessary to implement the Program. Requires that, the State Department of Education on or before September 1, 2013 report on: (1) successful interventions at the early childhood and elementary school level; (2) best practices for parental education and involvement; and (3) alternative educational pathways. http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/bills/sb/sb0362e.pdf Title: S.B. 362 Source: mlis.state.md.us ID Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Amends existing law to provide for federal funds and state funding, to provide that the school district where the Youth Challenge Program is located may take steps to have the Youth Challenge Program be considered and designated as an alternative secondary school and to revise the sunset date. http://legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2012/H0662.pdf Title: H.B. 662 Source: legislature.idaho.gov IN Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 Requires the department of education to waive accreditation standards for an accredited nonpublic alternative high school that contracts with a school corporation to provide alternative education services for students who: (1) have dropped out of high school; (2) have been expelled; or (3) were not successful in the school corporation; to accommodate the nonpublic alternative high school's program and student population. Provides that a school corporation that enrolls a student who has legal settlement in another school corporation for the student to receive services from a nonpublic alternative high school receives state tuition support for the student. Provides that a student who is placed in a residential facility is entitled to receive certain defined educational services from the school corporation in which the facility is located. http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/SE/SE0283.1.html Title: S.B. 283 Source: www.in.gov IL Signed into law 08/2011 P-12 Permits a student who has been suspended for more than 20 days to be immediately transferred to an alternative program. Provides that an eligible student may not be denied participation in an alternative learning opportunities program solely because s/he has been expelled, or suspended for more than 20 days. Provides an exception when such transfer is deemed to cause a threat to the safety of students or staff in the alternative program. Permits a student who has been expelled or suspended more than 20 days to be eligible to enroll in a charter alternative learning opportunities program. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/97/PDF/097-0495.pdf Title: H.B. 2086 Source: www.ilga.gov NH Adopted 08/2011 P-12 Implements alternative education programs at regional career and technical education centers or associated high schools. Adds language for 'at risk' students and for tuition and transportation for 'at risk' students as required by changes in the state law of 2007. Ed 1405 will eliminate reimbursement for bus contracts. Title: NH ADC Ed 1301.01; NH ADC Ed 1302.01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06; NH ADC Ed 1303.01, 02; NH ADC Ed 1304.01; NH ADC Ed 1405.01 Source: Westlaw/StateNet TX Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Requires that a district located in a county with a population of 125,000 or less provide educational services to a student who is expelled from school. Permits the district to count the student in its average daily membership. Defines what may be considered an educational placement under these provisions, including among others a contracted placement with an institution of higher education, an adult literacy council, or a community organization that can provide an educational program that allows the student to complete the credits required for high school graduation. Provides that an educational placement other than a district's disciplinary alternative education program is subject to the educational and certification requirements applicable to an open-enrollment charter school. From bill summary: exempts a county that meets certain criteria, including having a juvenile justice alternative education program (JJAEP) serving fewer than 15 students, from certain JJAEP requirements. Bill text: pages 223-224 of 263: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00001F.pdf#navpanes=0 Bill summary (see article 70): http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillSummary.aspx?LegSess=821&Bill=SB1 Title: S.B. 1 Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us CT Signed into law 07/2011 P-12 Specifies that a student who has been expelled for the first time and is at least 16 years old is not required to withdraw from regular public school to attend adult education as part of an alternative educational opportunity during the expulsion. Allows such an expelled student to enroll in an adult education program without the approval of his or her school principal (that approval is still required for students who have not been expelled). http://www.cga.ct.gov/2011/ACT/PA/2011PA-00126-R00HB-06433-PA.htm Title: H.B. 6433 Source: http://www.cga.ct.gov OH Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Provides that local policies to allow a student to enroll in an alternative school may permit a student to permanently transfer to an alternative school so that the student need not reapply annually for permission to attend the alternative school. Page 169 of 1000: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_HB_153_EN_part2.pdf Title: H.B. 153 - Transfer to Alternative School Source: www.legislature.state.oh.us TX Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Requires a student who receives deferred prosecution for, is found by a court or jury to have engaged in, or a superintendent or designee has a reasonable belief that a student has engaged in aggravated robbery to be removed from class and placed in a disciplinary alternative education program. Permits a student to be placed in a disciplinary alternative education program if the superintendent or designee has a reasonable belief that the student has engaged in aggravated robbery. Permits a district to expel a student who has received deferred prosecution for or has been found by a court or jury to have engaged in, has been arrested for or charged with, has been referred to a juvenile court for allegedly engaging in, or has received probation or deferred adjudication for aggravated robbery. Clarifies provision allowing expulsion of a student in a disciplinary alternative education program. Specifies that misconduct must be documented and while on the program campus despite documented behavioral interventions. Defines "serious misbehavior" for purposes of this provision. Provides that each school district in a county with a population over 125,000 and the county juvenile board must annually enter into a joint memorandum of understanding that a student may be placed in the juvenile justice alternative education program if the student engages in serious misbehavior, as defined in statute. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00968F.pdf#navpanes=0 Title: H.B. 968 Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us TX Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Requires a district to provide the parents of a student removed to a disciplinary alternative education program with written notice of the district's obligation to provide the student with an opportunity to complete coursework required for graduation. Requires the notice to include information on all methods available for completing the coursework, and state that the methods are available at no cost to the student. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00049F.pdf#navpanes=0 Title: S.B. 49 Source: www.legis.state.tx.us FL Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 From Legislative Staff Summary: Creates the College-Preparatory Boarding Academy Pilot Program (Academy) for at-risk students. Defines the key elements of the program and establishes "at-risk" student eligibility criteria consistent with eligibility standards for a range of non-educational federal and state programs that support needy families, children, and youth. Provides that an "eligible student" is a student who is a resident of the state and entitled to attend school, is at risk of academic failure, is currently enrolled in grade 5 or 6, is from a family whose income is below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, and who meets at least two additional risk factors, which are specified in the bill. Outlines a process for the State Board of Education to select an experienced, qualified operator and prescribes the qualifications and obligations of the operator. Directs the Academy to enroll up to 80 students beginning in August 2012, and to grow to a student capacity of 400 students. http://laws.flrules.org/files/Ch_2011-236.pdf Title: S.B. 404 Source: http://laws.flrules.org AR Signed into law 04/2011 P-12 Requires districts to establish alternative learning environment programs for at-risk students. Specifies that such programs are not punitive in nature. Requires districts to report on programs, including information on student race and gender. Requires districts to assess students at the beginning of enrollment in such a program in order to properly design interventions. Directs department of education to promulgate rules to implement policy and includes other requirements of department of education. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB81.pdf Title: S.B. 81 Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us MS Signed into law 03/2011 P-12 Provides criteria for districts to make a determination on an individualized basis before placing compulsory-school-age children returning from out-of-home placement in the mental health, juvenile justice or foster care system into an alternative school.out-of-home placement in the mental health, juvenile justice or foster care system. http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2011/pdf/HB/1100-1199/HB1178SG.pdf Title: H.B. 1178 Source: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/ WV Signed into law 07/2010 P-12 Provides uniformity in alternative schools and requires a pilot program that will allow alternative schools in elementary and middle schools. http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=sb2010%20enr.htm&yr=2010&sesstype=2X&i=2010 Title: S.B. 2010 Source: http://www.legis.state.wv.us GA Adopted 07/2010 P-12 Rule 160-4-8-.12, "Alternative Education Programs" has been repealed and a new rule adopted. Defines "alternative/non-traditional education program" as a program operating in affiliation with a school; a program does not report full-time equivalent (FTE) or receive an Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) designation. Achievement data for students enrolled in the program are reported back to the school where the student is reported for FTE. Provides a program may be housed within a school, on the same site or at a different location. Provides that programs may include Attendance Recovery, Credit Recovery, Disciplinary Program, Early College, Evening School, and Open Campus. Clarifies that an "Alternative/Non-traditional Education School" has an official school code and serves as the home school for students enrolled. The school receives an AYP designation; reports FTE counts for all enrolled students; and earns Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula funds directly. Defines "Community-based Alternative Education/Non-traditional Program" as a type of alternative education/non-traditional program where students are engaged in educationally relevant and meaningful learning experiences in the school and larger community. The academic curriculum is integrated into work-based learning and structured work experiences using partnerships among business, industry, government, community and school, including Performance Learning Centers. Defines "sparsity grant" as a grant provided to each LEA that is unable to offer its students or a portion of its students educational programs and services comparable to those which are typically being offered to students in the state; the inability to offer students comparable programs and services is attributable, at least in part, to the fact that the LEA has full-time equivalent counts less than base size specified in state law. Requires each LEA to provide an alternative/non-traditional education program/school for students in grades 6-12 with appropriate due process, who have been suspended from his/her regular classroom. Permits LEAs to provide an alternative/non-traditional education program/school to serve a student who is eligible to remain in his/her regular classroom but is more likely to succeed in a non-traditional educational setting. Authorizes an LEA to provide an alternative/non-traditional education program/school jointly with one or more LEAs. Authorizes an LEA to contract with educational management organizations to provide a non-traditional/alternative education program/school. Sets requirements/parameters for such contracts. Permits an LEA to use sparsity grant funds for all alternative/non-traditional education program(s)/school(s), but specifies that funds must be used exclusively for salaries and benefits for certified positions and assistants/paraprofessionals working in the program/school. Requires that all alternative/non-traditional education programs/schools only provide curriculum aligned to Georgia Performance Standards (GPS); permits curriculum to be delivered through computer-assisted instruction and online courses. Requires that programs/schools participate in state testing program, provide counseling services, operate in full compliance with federal and state laws and state board rules governing special education students and students with special needs, provide teachers that meet the requirements of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission in all classes, adhere to maximum class size provisions, and allocate to all Alternative/Non-traditional Education Programs/Schools the same expenditure per segment(s) based on what the student earns at his or her Full Time Equivalent reporting school, including federal and state funds allocated to the LEA for the student. For students in grades 9-12, permits LEAs to (1) award course credit based on demonstrated competency on course examination(s) for course work completed while enrolled in the program/school in lieu of the 150/135 clock hours of instruction and (2) determine the length of the school day in lieu of the school day length set in state board rule. Establishes reporting requirements for alternative/non-traditional education programs/schools. Requires each LEA to maintain and annually report to the state department of education on each alternative/non-traditional education program/school. Requires each program/school school improvement plan to demonstrate how the alternative/non-traditional education program/school modified SBOE rules, including methods to measure competency as well as what is defined as a full school day. Requires LEAs to seek parental and public input before submitting a program/school's improvement plan to the department of education. http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/doe/legalservices/160-4-8-.12.pdf Title: 160-4-8-.12 Source: www.doe.k12.ga.us LA Signed into law 06/2010 P-12 Relates to approval by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education of certain alternative schools and alternative education programs; relates to specific standards and criteria used by the board to approve schools; to provide guidelines for such report; to provide an effective date; and to provide for related matters. http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=722571 Title: H.B. 1225 Source: http://www.legis.state.la.us/ AK Signed into law 06/2010 P-12 An Act relating to the provision of information regarding a student by a school district to the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, Alaska Challenge Youth Academy. http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/26/Bills/HB0360Z.PDF Title: H.B. 360 Source: http://www.legis.state.ak.us TX Signed into law 06/2009 P-12 Existing policy requires a county with a population greater than 125,000 to develop a juvenile justice alternative education program. This provision adds that a county with a population greater than 125,000 is not required to develop a juvenile justice alternative education program if, with the state juvenile probation commission's approval, the county's juvenile board enters into a memorandum of understanding with each school district that outlines the responsibilities of the board and districts in minimizing the number of students expelled without receiving alternative educational services and includes specified coordination between districts and juvenile boards. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01425F.pdf Title: H.B. 1425 Source: www.legis.state.tx.us MN Signed into law 05/2009 P-12 Establishes parameters for alternative learning centers, alternative learning programs, and contract alternative programs. https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H0002.5.html&session=ls86 Title: H.F. 2 Source: https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us MS Signed into law 04/2009 P-12 Authorizes students assigned to alternative schools to attend workforce training programs; requires each school district having an alternative school program to submit an annual report to the state department of education describing the results of its annual alternative school program review and evaluation. http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2009/pdf/SB/2500-2599/SB2575SG.pdf Title: S.B. 2575 Source: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us VA Signed into law 03/2009 P-12 Provides that pending the decision by the division superintendent as to whether to require that a student charged with an offense involving intentional injury to another student of the school division attend an alternative education program, a local school board may impose a short-term suspension upon such student; provides that a school board may require a student charged with certain juvenile offenses to attend an alternative education program. http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+ful+HB2341ER Title: H.B. 2341 Source: http://leg1.state.va.us VA Signed into law 02/2009 P-12 Provides that a school division may assign a student deemed at-risk for a long-term suspension to a regional alternative education program; clarifies that the program is a regional alternative education program. http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+ful+HB1945ER Title: H.B. 1945 Source: http://leg1.state.va.us KY Adopted 02/2009 P-12 Establishes requirements for extended school services. Defines "A5 program" as an alternative program with no attendance boundaries, serving dropouts returning to an alternate educational environment, potential dropouts, discipline problem students, nontraditional students (e.g., students who have to work during the school day), students needing emotional or psychological treatment and other at-risk students. Clarifies that "extended school services" are for students unlikely to achieve proficiency, transition to the next level of learning successfully, or be able to meet the academic expectations in 703 KAR 4:060 without additional time or differentiated opportunity to learn. Adds that "extended school services" also includes instructional and support services provided as interventions included in the student's intervention plan, in primary through grade 5, or in the student's Individual Learning Plan, in grades 6-12, to ensure that the student remains in school and is on track to meet goals for postsecondary education and career after high school. Provides definitions for "formative assessment," "individual learning plan" and "interim or benchmark assessments." Adds community based mentoring and academic advising to noninstructional activities that may be characterized as "support services." Clarifies that extended school services (ESS) are to to provide additional time and differentiated opportunity to learn in which rigorous academic and enrichment content are aligned with individual student needs to improve struggling students' performance. Provides that priorities for ESS must be placed on designing and delivering services to students at academic risk with specific objective that students are able to: (1) Progress from grade to grade with their cohort (2) Exit elementary school ready to meet middle school-level academic expectations (3) Exit middle school ready to meet high school-level academic expectations (4) Exit high school ready to meet academic expectations of postsecondary education and the workplace, with particular emphasis on literacy and mathematics. Specifies that the extended school services provided to a student shall be planned, documented and evaluated through the intervention plan, at primary through grade 5, or in the student's Individual Learning Plan, in grades 6 through 12. Removes existing language on components that the instructional program for extended services must include. Requires the instructional program for ESS to include (1) diagnostic assessments to identify areas of greatest academic need, (2) Development of goals, in consultation with classroom teachers, for eliminating the identified academic need, including timelines and specific measurable outcomes (3) Formative and summative assessments to facilitate student progress and to determine if the student has achieved the learning goals of the intervention plan (4) Instructional strategies that are varied and that do not replicate practices that have proven to be ineffective for the student in the traditional classroom (5) A plan for collaboration and consistent use of interventions among the teachers supporting the student in core academic classes and those providing supports through extended school services (6) Counseling and academic advising to remove barriers to achievement (7) Regular communication with the parent or guardian Provides that the ESS instructional program may be operated during the regular school day or in night programs. Specifies ESS must provide differentiated opportunity to learn. Directs certified staff to plan, deliver and evaluate extended school services instruction and supports in collaboration as part of a student's Individual Learning Plan (ILP) Requires teachers providing instruction in extended school programs to be provided with professional development on effective instructional strategies for meeting the needs of at-risk students and use of formative assessment strategies to monitor progress. Requires certified staff to supervise noncertified tutors. Provides that students may be identified as in need of extended school services based on student performance on high school, college or workforce readiness assessments required by KRS 158.6459 Requires districts solicit input from parents and the community to identify potential barriers to participation. Requires that identified barriers be addressed through engagement with community partners or off-campus locations of after school, weekend or evening services. Provides "A6 program" means that unique line for a school that starts in the biennium ending with the school year 2009-10 at one standard error of measurement below the school's baseline accountability index to a point that is one standard error of measurement below 80 on the accountability index scale in the biennium ending with the school year 2013-14, with the calculated points defining this line rounded to the nearest tenth. If a school's baseline is above 80, the assistance line means a horizontal line at 80 minus one standard error of measurement. Title: 704 KAR 3:390 Source: www.lexis.com NH Adopted 11/2008 P-12 Requires the department to deliver a program of prevention and recovery of dropouts that increased the dropout age to 18 and permits a student to complete secondary education requirements through approved alternative programs. NEW HAMPSHIRE 6887 Title: Ed 1300 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet DE Signed into law 07/2008 P-12 Establishes a presumption that students 16 years of age and younger who are expelled or suspended pending expulsion by a local school district or charter school are appropriate for placement in an alternative education program. http://legis.delaware.gov/LIS/lis144.nsf/vwLegislation/HB+326/$file/legis.html?open Title: H.B. 326 Source: http://legis.delaware.gov ME Signed into law 04/2008 P-12 Defines alternative education program as a program in which the primary purpose is to provide at-risk students with curricula and assessment; defines alternative learning as an educational option that a public school or publicly supported program offers at-risk students by offering certain educational opportunities; defines at-risk student as a student who may not be promoted, may drop out and is truant; establishes a commission to study alternative education programs. http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280028627&LD=2303&Type=1&SessionID=7 Title: H.B. 1661A Source: http://janus.state.me.us/house/ MI Signed into law 01/2008 P-12 Specifies policies, requirements and procedures for "strict discipline academies" for students who have been expelled, suspended or referred by courts, human services or juvenile agencies. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/publicact/pdf/2008-PA-0001.pdf Title: S.B. 703 (sec. 1311g) Source: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/ CA Signed into law 10/2007 P-12 Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to revise the Academic Performance Index to include additional information by a specified deadline regarding specified data of pupils who were referred to an alternative education program and school and district dropout rates. Requires the Superintendent to establish a specified advisory committee to advise him or her and the state Board of Education on issues related to revision of the Academic Performance Index. Chapter 731 http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/sen/sb_0201-0250/sb_219_bill_20071014_chaptered.pdf Title: S.B. 219 Source: http://info.sen.ca.gov TN Signed into law 06/2007 P-12 Requires greater accountability for alternative education; for example, requires academic indicators to include grade point averages or other student academic performance measures, performance on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP), performance on the Gateway tests, attendance, dropout rates, and graduation rates, for students in alternative schools or who have been in alternative schools. Requires local education agencies to develop and implement formal transition plans for the integration of students from regular schools to alternative schools and from alternative schools to regular schools; provides that each LEA shall track the operation and performance of alternative school programs. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0517.pdf Title: S.B. 2157 Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us NH Signed into law 06/2007 P-12 Permits at risk students to attend an alternative education program at a regional vocational education center. Authorizes the department of education to pay tuition and transportation costs for such attendance. http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2007/SB0101.html Title: S.B. 101 Source: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us ME Signed into law 06/2007 P-12 Establishes the Alternative Education Programs Committee. The committee shall review and make recommendations for the promotion of alternatives in education within existing school systems including how alternative education programs contribute toward helping students be college, work and citizenship ready. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billpdfs/LD175801.pdf Title: H.B. 1224 Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org TN Signed into law 06/2007 P-12 Adds a new section: A pilot project of mandated attendance in an alternative school for students who have been suspended shall be established by the department for the school year 2007-2008 in any county having a metropolitan form of government and a population in excess of five hundred thousand (500,000) according to the 2000 federal census. Such pilot project shall be subject to alternative school staffing and space availability. The department shall monitor and review the pilot project and shall report the results of the review to the senate and house education committees and the state board of education by February 16, 2009. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0455.pdf Title: H.B. 2138 Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us NV Signed into law 06/2007 P-12 Creates pilot program for alternative programs of education for disruptive pupils established, appropriates funds and district eligibility requirements. http://www.leg.state.nv.us/23rdSpecial/Bills/AB/AB2_EN.pdf Title: A.B. 2A Source: http://www.leg.state.nv.us TN Signed into law 05/2007 P-12 Requires the advisory council for alternative education to study alternative school pilot sites and report to the governor, the state board of education, and the house and senate education committees. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0320.pdf Title: H.B. 1545 Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us TN Eligible for GOVERNOR'S desk. 05/2007 P-12 Requires the advisory council for alternative education, established by Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-3404, to study issues relating to establishing pilot alternative school programs. Requires review any prior evaluations of such schools that have been established. The council is to make recommendations concerning programs, policies and curricula of any new pilot programs that may be established. The recommendations shall include a rigorous evaluation component. Findings must be submitted in writing to the governor, the state board of education and the house and senate education committees by January 1, 2008. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB1545.pdf Title: H.B. 1545, S.B. 1427 Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us MT Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Requires registration and licensure of alternative adolescent residential or outdoor programs. Allows provisional licensing and requires background checks for certain employees and managers. Directs the department of labor and industry to adopt rules regarding program criteria, including inspection of programs for licensure every three years.. http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2007/billhtml/HB0769.htm Title: H.B. 769 Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov/ KY Signed into law 03/2007 P-12 Deletes the requirement that a local school district operate an alternative education program prior to the revocation of a student's operator's license, intermediate license, or instruction permit; requires that the application of any minor under the age of 18 for a license or permit include parental consent for the release of academic and attendance information required under KRS 159.051. http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/07RS/HB32/bill.doc Title: H.B. 32 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet MS Signed into law 03/2007 P-12 Directs the state board to promulgate guidelines for alternative school programs which provide broad authority to school boards of local school districts to establish alternative education programs to meet the specific needs of the school district. http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2007/html/SB/2300-2399/SB2338SG.htm Title: S.B. 2338 Source: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/ WY Signed into law 02/2007 P-12 Requires the state superintendent of public instruction to review at-risk program strategies funded under the block grant model, specifically including alternative schools and imposes a moratorium on new alternative schools recognized under the model during the review period; continues the summer school & extended day programs during school year 2007-2008; also requires the state superintendent to study and develop recommendations on distance education programs and to establish a task force for this purpose. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2007/Enroll/HB0115.pdf Title: H.B. 115 Source: http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2007/bills.htm TN Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Requires state board of education curriculum for alternative schools to stress student success and removes language concerning alternative schools that is penal in nature; establishes an advisory council on alternative education. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB2723.pdf Title: S.B. 2723 Source: Tennessee Legislature VT Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 Directs the commissioner of education to gather information to facilitate discussion during the next legislative session about increasing the compulsory education age to 18, and to present the data to the senate and house committees on education during January, 2007.  Requires information gathered to include the number of young people who have dropped out of school in each of the last 10 years, the types of facilities and programs that are available to help young people at risk of not completing school to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent, costs of services alternative to the public school system, and other information which will inform the discussion. http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2006/acts/ACT182.HTM Title: H.B. 867 - Section 20 (h) Source: www.leg.state.vt.us FL Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 Alternative schools that provide dropout-prevention and academic-intervention services pursuant to s. 1003.53 shall receive a school-improvement rating. The school-improvement rating must identify schools as having one of the following ratings: (a) "Improving" means schools with students making more academic progress than when the students were served in their home schools. (b) "Maintaining" means schools with students making progress equivalent to the progress made when the students were served in their home schools. (c) "Declining" means schools with students making less academic progress than when the students were served in their home schools. The school-improvement rating will be based on a comparison of student performance data for the current year and previous year. Schools that improve at least one level or maintain an "improving" rating pursuant to this section are eligible for school recognition awards. Student Learning Gains For each alternative school receiving a school-improvement rating, the Department of Education will annually identify the percentage of students making learning gains as compared to the percentage of the same students making learning gains in their home schools in the year prior to being assigned to the alternative school. School Report Cartds The Department of Education will annually develop, in collaboration with the school districts, a school report card for alternative schools to be delivered to parents throughout each school district. The report card will include the school-improvement rating, identification of student learning gains, student attendance data, information regarding school improvement, an explanation of school performance as evaluated by the federal No Child Left Behind Act, and indicators of return on investment. http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h7087er.doc&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=7087&Session=2006 Title: H.B. 7087 (Section 47) Source: Florida Legislature FL Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 Makes revisions to school grade provisions, such as the inclusion of information for students receiving a special diploma and grades for K-3 and alternative schools. Each school that has students who are tested and included in the school grading system, except an alternative school that receives a school-improvement rating pursuant to s. 1008.341, will receive a school grade; however, an alternative school may choose to receive a school grade under this section in lieu of a school-improvement rating. Additionally, a school that serves any combination of students in kindergarten through grade 3 which does not receive a school grade because its students are not tested and included in the school grading system will receive the school grade designation of a K-3 feeder pattern school identified by the Department of Education and verified by the school district. A school feeder pattern exists if at least 60 percent of the students in the school serving a combination of students in kindergarten through grade 3 are scheduled to be assigned to the graded school. A school's grade will be based on a combination of: 1. Student achievement scores, including achievement scores for students seeking a special diploma. 2. Student learning gains as measured by annual FCAT assessments in grades 3 through 10; learning gains for students seeking a special diploma, as measured by an alternate assessment tool, must be included not later than the 2009-2010 school year. 3. Improvement of the lowest 25th percentile of students in the school in reading, math, or writing on the FCAT, unless these students are exhibiting satisfactory performance. Effective with the 2005-2006 school year, the achievement scores and learning gains of eligible students attending alternative schools that provide dropout-prevention and academic-intervention services will be used to determine the home school's grade. If an alternative school chooses to be graded pursuant to this section, student performance data for eligible students will not be included in the home school's grade but will be included only in the calculation of the alternative school's grade. School districts must require collaboration between the home school and the alternative school in order to promote student success. http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h7087er.doc&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=7087&Session=2006 Title: H.B. 7087 (Section 45) Source: Florida Legislature KY Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Relates to expelled or suspended students. Defines "behavior which constitutes a threat" (and as such, allows a board to place a student in a state-funded agency program) as including assault, battery or abuse of others; the threat of force; being under the influence of drugs or alcohol; the use, possession, sale, or transfer of drugs or alcohol; or the carrying, possessing, or transfer of weapons or dangerous instruments; and any other behavior which may endanger the health or safety of others. Authorizes a local board to adopt a policy providing that if a student is suspended or expelled for any reason, or faces charges that may lead to suspension or expulsion but withdraws prior to a hearing, from any public or private school in this or any other state, the receiving district may review the details of the charges, suspension, or expulsion and determine if the student will be admitted, and if so, what conditions may be imposed upon the admission. Authorizes a local board to adopt a policy providing that if a student is suspended or expelled for any reason, or faces charges that may lead to suspension or expulsion but withdraws prior to a hearing, from any public or private school in this or any other state, the receiving district may review the details of the charges, suspension, or expulsion and determine if the student will be admitted, and if so, what conditions may be imposed upon the admission. http://www.lrc.ky.gov/RECORD/06RS/HB688/bill.doc Title: H.B. 688 Source: www.lrc.ky.gov NC Signed into law 08/2005 P-12 Postsec. AN ACT to direct the state board of education to adopt standards for alternative learning programs, and to require local boards of education to develop proposals that are submitted to the State Board of education before establishing any alternative learning program or alternative school. http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2005/Bills/House/HTML/H1076v5.html Title: H.B. 1076 Source: StateNet CA Signed into law 07/2005 P-12 Governing boards that expel pupils must provide access to an educational program for those students. Such a program may be operated by the school district, the county superintendent of schools, or a consortium of districts or in joint agreement with the county superintendent of schools. Allows governing boards to enter into an agreement with a county superintendent of schools in another county to provide education services for the district's expelled pupils.Requires each school district to maintain the following data: (A) The number of pupils recommended for expulsion. (B) The grounds for each recommended expulsion. (C) Whether the pupil was subsequently expelled. (D) Whether the expulsion order was suspended. (E) The type of referral made after the expulsion. (F) The disposition of the pupil after the end of the period of expulsion. Deletes the requirement that a school district annually report expulsion data to CDE and instead authorizes the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to collect this data as part of a periodic coordinated compliance review. Repeals the requirement that the state superintendent develop, update every other year, and distribute directories of public and private agencies providing services to special education pupils with "low-incidence" disabilities. Repeals the requirement that CDE publish and distribute to local educational agencies an annual school crime report. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0101-0150/ab_110_bill_20050718_chaptered.pdf Title: A.B. 110 --Expulsion Section Source: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov CO Signed into law 06/2005 P-12 Authorizes the department of education to retain up to 1% of any appropriation for the expelled and at-risk student services grant program to evaluate the program. Beginning January 1, 2006, requires the department to annually report to the general assembly on the outcomes and effectiveness of the program, related to school attendance, attachment and achievement. http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics2005a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/86586AF58A7872A987256FB6006E7A5F?Open&file=1311_enr.pdf Title: H.B. 1311 Source: www.leg.state.co.us TN SIGNED BY GOVERNOR. 05/2005 P-12 Allows local boards of education to establish evening alternative schools for students in grades six (age 11) through twelve (6-12). Previous provision allowed alternative schools only for students over 16. http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/104/pub/pc0200.pdf Title: H.B. 1938 Source: http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts WV Signed into law 05/2005 P-12 House Bill 3018 includes provisions relating to alternative education programs and the Mountaineer Challenge Academy. Attendees of both are given an extra year to graduate or pass the General Education Degree (GED) tests, subject to federal law. Additionally, attendees of the Academy are considered enrolled in the referring county, but only for the purposes of funding, attendance rates and graduation rates and only to the extent permitted by federal law. Title: H.B. 3018 Source: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Wrapup/2005/final/final.pdf TN Signed into law 05/2005 P-12 Urges the Governor to include increased funding for alternative education programs in the 2005-06 General Appropriations Act. Currently, LEAs are required to have at least one alternative school in grades 7-12. Link to fiscal note summary: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Fiscal/HJR0116.pdf Title: H.J.R. 116 Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us AR Signed into law 04/2005 P-12 Amends the public school funding act of 2003. Requires the State Board of Education to promulgate rules clarifying not only which alternative learning environment programs qualify for funding, but also the characteristics of students who qualify for funding because they have been placed in an alternative learning environment program. Clarifies attendance record requirements for purposes of state funding. Adds definitions of the teacher's salary fund, operating fund and debt service fund. Modifies language defining "National school lunch students." Modifies formula for calculating student growth funding for 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school years. Adds language that a school district that has experienced a significant growth in enrolled students in the previous 3 years must receive funding for the expected increase in the number of national school lunch students based on the expected increase in enrolled students based on the levels of funding provided in this section for national school lunch students. Requires the state board to adopt rules determining specified provisions of this policy. ftp://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/bills/2005/public/SB939.pdf Title: S.B. 939 Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us AR Signed into law 04/2005 P-12 Postsec. Community College States that teacher certification requirements do not apply to persons teaching concurrent credit courses or advanced placement courses who: (i) Are employed by a postsecondary institution; (ii) Meet the qualification requirements of that institution or the department of workforce education; and (iii) Are teaching in a course in which credit is offered by an institution of higher education or a technical institute. Also states that grade level/subject matter teacher certification requirements do not apply to licensed teachers teaching in the following settings: (i) An alternative learning environment; (ii) A juvenile detention facility; (iii) A residential and day alcohol, drug, and psychiatric facility program; (iv) An emergency youth shelter; (v) A facility of the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services; or (vi) A facility of the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services of the Department of Human Services; and (E) A licensed special education teacher teaching two or more core academic subjects exclusively to children with disabilities. Authorizes the department fo education to offer and operate a nontraditional teacher licensure program. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1044.pdf Title: S.B. 1044 (sections 16-17) Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us IL Signed into law 08/2004 P-12 Increases the compulsory school age from 16 to 17 years of age, with exceptions. Provides that certain provisions that apply to truant officers apply to the regional superintendent of schools or his designee in a school district that does not have a truant officer. Makes changes concerning the compliance procedure for persons who fail to send a child to school. Allows certain students to enroll in graduation incentives programs. http://www.legis.state.il.us/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=093-0858 Title: S.B. 2918 Source: Illinois Legislative Web site MA Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004 P-12 Relates to establishing an alternative education grant program; contains text of section 126 of H 4850; requires that parents or legal guardians attend specified conferences with teachers; provides for assistance to address needs of children who have been exposed to violence and abuse; provides for at- risk students. http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/ht04914.htm Title: H.B. 4914 Source: StateNet RI Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004 P-12 Each school district is required to adopt a plan to create alternative education programs to educate students who are removed from the classroom because of a suspension of more than ten (10) days or who are chronically truant. The plan must be adopted by the school committee and shall be submitted to the Commissioner for approval no later than January 1, 2005. Title: H.B. 7722 Source: rilin.state.ri.us/gen_assembly CO Emergency Rule Adoption 07/2004 P-12 Clarifies rules regarding the administration of accountability for alternative campuses and processes for being designated an alternative campus. http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeboard/brdbook/2004/JULY%202004/VIII-A-1as.pdf Title: 1 CCR 301-57 Source: Colorado State Web site NC Signed into law 07/2004 P-12 Implements the recommendation of the house interim committee on providing an appropriate education for students on long-term suspension to direct the state board of education to develop and recommend a funding formula for alternative learning programs and alternative schools. http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/html2003/bills/currentversion/ratified/house/hbil1455.full.html; http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/html2003/bills/currentversion/ratified/house/hbil1456.full.html Title: H.B. 1455 and 1456 Source: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us CA Vetoed 07/2004 P-12 Provides that a pupil who will attain the age of 16 years during the school year may be admitted to a regional occupational center or program. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_1551-1600/sb_1591_bill_20040624_enrolled.html Veto message: http://www.governor.ca.gov/govsite/pdf/press_release/SB_1591_Veto.pdf Title: S.B. 1591 Source: California Legislative Web site OH Signed into law 06/2004 P-12 Requires that upon a child's discharge or release from the custody of the Department of Youth Services certain records pertaining to the child be released to the superintendent of the school district in which the child is entitled to attend school; specifies that a school district's policy on the assignment of students to alternative school may provide for the assignment of any child released from the custody of the Department of Youth Services to such school. Title: H.B. 106 Source: StateNet MD Signed into law 05/2004 P-12 Establishes the Department of Juvenile Services Education Department; requires each facility established and operated by the Department of Juvenile Services to have an education center; provides that each child in the custody of the Department receive appropriate educational services; establishes the Department of Juvenile Services Board of Education; provides for the appointment, terms, and removal of members of the Board of Education. http://mlis.state.md.us/2004rs/bills/hb/hb1139e.rtf Title: H.B. 1139 Source: StateNet MD Signed into law 05/2004 P-12 Requires a child discharged from a committed residential placement to receive step down aftercare for a period to be determined by the Department of Juvenile Services; requires a child in a step down aftercare program to receive specified services; requires a child placed in step down aftercare to receive an appropriate education from the State Department of Education; requires the Department of Juvenile Services to keep specified records. http://mlis.state.md.us/2004rs/bills/sb/sb0767t.rtf Title: S.B. 767 Source: StateNet MS Signed into law 05/2004 P-12 Authorizes local school boards to expand federal No Child Left Behind Act funds to pay for training, incentives and salary supplements to school district employees; authorizes the expending of moneys to reimburse licensed district employees for relocation expenses for moving for employment purposes; authorizes district to establish dual enrollment programs for high school students to enroll in higher learning institutions; relates to alternative school programs. http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/extrel/leg/04Edsum.html Title: H.B. 657 Source: StateNet TN Signed into law 05/2004 P-12 Concerns General Assembly, Directed Studies; directs the office of education accountability (with the asasistance of the state board and state department) to study and evaluate the quality of curriculums and policies and procedures relative to punishment utilized by Tennessee alternative schools and present findings and recommendations to the education oversight committee. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Summary.asp?BillNumber=SJR0746 Title: S.J.R. 746 Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills MS Signed into law 04/2004 P-12 Relates to a delinquent child; provides that a youth court must consider additional factors before entering a disposition order or placing the child in a training school; requires review of child's medical history, mental health records and school records; provides for privacy of records. http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2004/html/HB/1500-1599/HB1500SG.htm Title: H.B. 1500 Source: StateNet CO Signed into law 04/2004 P-12 The performance of alternative schools that qualify is to be measured under a different set of accountability indicators. Schools that serve a population that is more than 95% "at risk" as defined by the law must demonstrate baseline levels of and measurable annual benchmards on at least one measure of academic performance. These measures must be based upon progres of individual students or groups of students and include one or more other indicators; must measure nonacademic or behavioral improvement appropriate for the particular schools, including average daily attendance, student post-matriculation rates of enrollment, enlistment or employment, rates of stability or retention, reduced rates of suspension or other discipline, or attendance rates. http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics2004a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont2/ Title: S.B. 83 Source: WV Signed into law 03/2004 P-12 Provides for safe schools through alternative education programs; provides certain juvenile justice records to public school officials. Title: H.B. 4037 Source: StateNet CA Emergency Rule Adoption 07/2003 P-12 Establishes emergency rules concerning alternative schools accountability model. CALIFORNIA REG 15452 (SN) http://ccr.oal.ca.gov/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=125942&E22=Title%205&E23=1068&E24=&infobase=ccr&querytemplate=%261.%20Go%20to%20a%20Specific%20Section&record={F02A}&softpage=Document42 Title: Title 5 CCR 1068 thru 1074 Source: California State Web site NC Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Postsec. Creates the Innovative Education Initiatives Act to develop cooperative efforts between secondary schools and institutions of higher education to reduce dropout rates, increase high school and college graduation rates and decrease the need for higher education remedial programs; creates the cooperative innovative high school programs; permits public and private colleges and private businesses or organizations to participate; provides for funding. The General Assembly strongly endorses the Governor's goal of making North Carolina's system of education first in America by 2010. With that as the goal, the Education Cabinet shall set as a priority cooperative efforts between secondary schools and institutions of higher education so as to reduce the high school dropout rate, increase high school and college graduation rates, decrease the need for remediation in institutions of higher education, and raise certificate, associate, and bachelor degree completion rates. The Cabinet shall identify and support efforts that achieve the following purposes: (1) Support cooperative innovative high school programs; (2) Improve high school completion rates and reduce high school dropout rates; (3) Close the achievement gap; (4) Create redesigned middle schools or high schools; (5) Provide flexible, customized programs of learning for high school students who would benefit from accelerated, higher level coursework or early graduation; (6) Establish high quality alternative learning programs; (7) Establish a virtual high school; (8) Implement other innovative education initiatives designed to advance the state's system of education. Requires the Education Cabinet to identify federal, state, and local funds that may be used to support these initiatives. In addition, the Cabinet is strongly encouraged to pursue private funds that could be used to support these initiatives. http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/html2003/bills/AllVersions/Senate/S656vc.html Title: S.B. 656 Source: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/ TX Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Relates to placement of certain students in alternative education programs. Title: H.B. 1314 Source: StateNet LA Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 States that mandatory minimum 24-month expulsion of any student age 16 or older, or mandatory minimum 12-month expulsion of student under age 16 in grades six through 12, who is found guilty of possession of, or knowledge of and intentional distribution of, or possession with intent to distribute any drug or controlled substance on school grounds does not apply if the student participates full time in a juvenile drug court program operated by a Louisiana court. States that the district may place the student in an state board-approved alternative education program for suspended and expelled students. http://www.legis.state.la.us/bills/byinst.asp?sessionid=03RS&billid=HB639&doctype=BT Title: H.B. 639 Source: www.legis.state.la.us MD Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Makes juvenile justice alternative education pilot program a permanent, non-pilot program. Specifies that the juvenile justice alternative education program is for students who are suspended, expelled, identified as candidates for being suspended or expelled, or ordered to attend by the juvenile court as a condition of probation. Requires the department of education to oversee and the state board of education to organize and run the program. Establishes composition of juvenile justice alternative education advisory board membership. Specifies that the state board must, with the advice of the advisory board, select a private agency to administer the program, and that the program may be operated in a facility owned and operated by a private party or a county board. Specifies that student who is suspended, expelled or is identified as a candidate for suspension or expulsion must attend the program starting the first day of the student's suspension or expulsion. Requires students to receive courses focusing on English/language arts, math, science and social studies. Requires every board to consider course credit earned in such a program as credit earned in a county school. Requires the county board to pay the juvenile justice alternative education program the basic current expenses per pupil for each student transferred to the program from the county's schools. http://mlis.state.md.us/2003rs/bills/hb/hb0490e.rtf Title: H.B. 490 Source: mlis.state.md.us OK Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Prohibits the state board from providing funding to an alternative education program that does not receive a recommendation for continued funding in the evaluation provided for in this subsection. Any school district not receiving such a recommendation for continued funding may request a hearing before the board with a review of the evaluation prior to the board's final determination. http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/2003-04SB/sb801_enr.rtf Title: S.B. 801 Source: http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us CO Signed into law 05/2002 P-12 Requires state board to establish criteria and application process for a school to be designated an alternative education campus. Mandates that criteria and application process include specified components. Permits charter school meeting criteria to be designated an alternative education campus. Mandates that Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) results for all part-time students at an alternative education campus be included in the school's academic performance and academic improvement ratings. However, any school designated an alternative education campus is exempt from receiving an academic performance or improvement rating unless the state board approves receipt of such ratings. http://www.leg.state.co.us/2002a/inetcbill.nsf/fsbillcont/631277866E3CECB087256B0300718AF9?Open&file=094_enr.pdf Title: S.B. 94 Source: www.leg.state.co.us LA Signed into law 04/2002 P-12 Lowers age for when certain students may attend alternative education or vocational-technical education programs; provides relative to attendance of certain students in BESE-approved adult education programs. http://www.legis.state.la.us/leg_docs/021ES/CVT5/OUT/0000JJ1G.PDF Title: H.B. 21A Source: www.legis.state.la.us WV Signed into law 03/2002 P-12 Defines terms; expands defined terms to include definitions for alternative education and dangerous student; sale of narcotics and possession of deadly weapons and controlled substances on educational facility premises, vehicles and at school-sponsored functions; assault and battery committed by pupil; suspension and expulsion, and exceptions; hearing; notice and procedure of hearing; notification by regular mail; postponement of hearing; allowing county boards to determine whether a student is a dangerous student; allowing county boards to refuse to provide alternative education to dangerous students who have been expelled; reexamination of dangerous student status; reporting requirements; authority to request subpoena in certain circumstances; establishing guidelines for permitting a reduction in mandatory twelve-month suspension; removing provisions applying to students with disabilities and maintaining that application to students with disabilities must be consistent with federal law; and expanding and redefining deadly weapon as the phrase applies to schools. Title: S.B. 4 Source: ftp://129.71.164.29/ftp-senate02/SB1-99/ WA Signed into law 03/2002 P-12 Relates to alternative educational service providers that the school district may contract with; includes the state national guard youth challenge program; grants number of highschool credits based on the students' level of academic proficiency as measured by the program. Title: H.B. 1646 Source: www.leg.wa.gov OH Signed into law 11/2001 P-12 Permits school districts that establish certain alternative schools to contract with nonprofit or for profit entities to operate those schools; provides that teachers employed by those entities may be licensed in the same manner as employees of nontax supported schools; establishes criteria for the issuance of a conditional certification of alternative educators; relates to personally identifiable information of students. Title: H.B. 196 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet CA Vetoed 09/2001 P-12 Authorizes a school district superintendent or designee, if he or she chooses to extend a suspension, to address the academic needs of the pupil by transferring the pupil to an alternative school placement for remedial instruction or, to the extent feasible, provide access to instructional materials, assignments and tests in classes in which the student is enrolled. Provides for parental notification. Makes any testimony provided in an expulsion privileged. Title: A.B. 177 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet OR Signed into law 06/2001 P-12 Allows State Board of Education to establish standards for private alternative education programs; specifies what is included in school district annual evaluation of private alternative education programs. Title: S.B. 258 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet OK Signed into law 05/2001 P-12 Alternative Approaches grants are to be targeted at school districts located in counties with a high number of dropouts for the school year preceding the year for which the grant is being sought, and a high number of referrals to the juvenile justice system, or to a nonprofit organization or entity formed by an interlocal cooperative agreement in those districts. To be eligible for a High Challenge grant, a program must meet research-based criteria set by the state department. The Alternative Approaches Technical Assistance Center is required to provide the department with research and recommendations on effective programming for high-challenge children; limits Alternative Approaches grants for alternative education to middle-grade level alternative schools provided by a school district and to secondary-grade level programs provided pursuant to a contract with a nonprofit organization. Title: H.B. 1460 Source: Oklahoma Legislative Web Site TX Signed into law 05/2001 P-12 Relates to the placement in an alternative education program or expulsion of a public school student who makes a false alarm or report or a terroristic threat. Title: H.B. 1088 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet NC Signed into law 05/2001 P-12 Establishes a pilot program under which participating local school administrative units place all students who are on short-term out-of-school suspension in alternative learning programs. Title: S.B. 71 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet OK Signed into law 05/2001 P-12 States that each urban school district as defined in Section 1210.568 of this title and as identified as having a high population of elementary grade students who are at-risk and in need of alternative education shall expand the annual student needs assessment and alternative education to include a needs assessment and education plan for such students; delays implementation of this section until the current expenditure per pupil in average daily attendance in public elementary and secondary schools in unadjusted dollars for the 1998-99 school year or any school year thereafter for Oklahoma, as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics annually in the Digest of Education Statistics, reaches at least 90% of the regional average expenditure for that same year, and funds are provided. Title: H.B. 1499 Multiple Components for At-Risk Elementary Students Source: Oklahoma Legislative Web Site VA Signed into law 05/2001 P-12 Creates optional age-appropriate education programs for students in grades K-5 who require guidance, supervision and discipline in a structured learning environment and who need to be redirected toward appropriate classroom decorum and acceptable personal behavior. The programs shall provide instructional and support services that will enable students to maintain academic achievement, attain basic skills and academic proficiencies, and otherwise benefit from a public education during the time that they may be removed from the regular classroom. The programs shall also be designed to accommodate students within the school building to which they have been assigned, facilitate the efficient transition of students between the optional education program and their regular classroom, and provide for the continuity of instruction, a nurturing environment, necessary guidance and supervision, and the participation of the student's parents in correcting his behavior. Such programs shall be adequately staffed by licensed teachers or other persons with demonstrated qualifications to instruct and manage students with a range of academic gifts and deficiencies, disciplinary problems, and the need to develop and use appropriate social skills. Title: S.B. 1144 Source: http://hod.state.va.us VA Signed into law 03/2001 P-12 Reorganizes the student discipline statutes and moves some sections to other articles of Title 22.1. Requires division superintendents, in making recommendations for expulsion for violations other than those involving weapons or drugs, to consider various factors such as the student's age, grade level, academic and attendance records, and disciplinary history, and the appropriateness and availability of an alternative education placement or program; allows school boards to exclude from attendance students who have been suspended for more than 30 days or expelled by another school division or for whom private school admission has been withdrawn regardless of the offense; allows school boards to permit students who have been expelled, excluded, are subject to a long-term suspension, or have been found guilty or not innocent of a crime which could have resulted in injury to others, to attend an alternative education program provided by teh school division. Title: H.B. 2512 Source: http://hod.state.va.us FL Signed into law 06/2000 P-12 Revises the definition of suspension; revises data used to determine school's performance grade category; revises information required to be included in student code of conduct; specifies types of drills and emergencies for which district school boards are required to develop procedures; requires district school boards to establish model emergency management and emergency preparedness procedures. Requires schools to report data concerning school safety and discipline to the department of education. Includes provisions such as ability of teachers to remove disruptive students from the classroom, liability protection for teachers, reporting of safety incidents, etc. Title: S.B. 852 Source: Florida House of Representatives MS Signed into law 05/2000 P-12 Clarifies the authority of school superintendents, principals and school boards to suspend, expel, or change the placement of pupils for conduct that renders a pupil's presence in the classroom detrimental to the school's educational environment or the best interest of a class as a whole; requires school boards to obtain 2 appraisals before purchasing certain real property; authorizes the referral of such pupils to an alternative school program. Title: H.B. 776 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet OK Signed into law 05/2000 P-12 Contingent upon the provision of appropriated funds designated for such purpose, all school districts in the state providing alternative education programs shall expand the programs to include middle school grade students. Title: S.B. 901 Source: Lexis-Nexis/Statenet ME Signed into law 04/2000 P-12 Public Law No. 683, (LD 2027); Encourages public school alternative education programs; requires school alliance to set consistent standards for regional public school choice programs; provides that shared service agreements between schools may include alternative education programs; establishes alternative education as a component of secondary technical education; establishes a stakeholders group to study the possibility of Federal charter school grant funds. Title: H.B. 1420 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet VA Signed into law 03/2000 P-12 Provides that a student who has been granted an Alternative Education Plan and fails to comply with the condition of the plan shall be in violation of attendance laws; authorizes the Division Superintendent or Attendance Officer of the school division in which such student was last enrolled seek the students immediate compliance. Title: H.B. 1468 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet GA Signed into law 03/2000 P-12 Relates to elementary and secondary education; changes certain provisions regarding special instructional assistance programs for students with developmental deficiencies; provides for the application of mandatory education requirements to children between ages seven and 16 apply who are assigned to alternative public school programs and to the parents, guardians, or other persons having control or charge of such children. Title: H.B. 114 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet VA Signed into law 03/2000 P-12 Clarifies that regional pilot projects for alternative education are designed for elementary as well as middle and high school students; directs the Department of Education to issue a request for proposals for regional pilot projects for selected alternative education options for elementary school students. Title: H.B. 188 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet GA Signed into law 03/2000 P-12 In-school suspension and alternative schools have been combined to create alternative programs. In-school suspension may be included as a type of alternative program. The Office of Educational Accountability determines what is an acceptable performance of alternative education programs. The intent of the alternative education program is to meet the education needs of a student suspended from his or her regular classroom and also of a student who is eligible to remain in his or her regular classroom but is more likely to succeed in a nontraditional setting. Funding for the alternative education program shall be based on 2.5 percent of the full-time equivalent count for grades 6 through 12. For the 2001-2002 school year and thereafter, the funds shall be allocated based on the actual count of students served not to exceed 2.5 percent of the full-time equivalent count. Title: H.B. 1187 Source: Georgia Department of Education