Okla. Admin. Code § 210:35-29-8

Current through Vol. 42, No. 3, October 15, 2024

Section 210:35-29-8 - Requirements for alternative education programs

(a)General requirements. Alternative education is an educational process incorporating appropriate structure, curriculum, interaction, and reinforcement strategies to stimulate learning with students who are at risk of failing to complete their secondary education for reasons which may include academic deficiency, behavioral difficulties, excessive absences, pregnancy or parenting, family issues, substance abuse, financial issues, physical or mental health issues, state custody, juvenile justice involvement, and/or other such factors, not including disability status. An alternative education program must provide the additional services and supports outlined in statute, and not merely an opportunity for credit recovery. To qualify as an approved alternative education program, a school district's alternative school or alternative education program must meet all requirements listed at 70 O.S. § 1210.568, including:

(1) Student-teacher ratios conducive to effective learning for at-risk students, which typically should not exceed a 15:1 student to teacher ratio;

(2) Appropriate structure, curriculum, interaction, and reinforcement strategies for effective instruction, typically including:

(A) Utilize attendance, academic, and behavior data for program improvement, and

(B) Utilize a system of student support such as RTI, PBIS, or MTSS;

(3) An intake and screening process to determine eligibility of students, typically including:

(A) Students are involved in enrolling in the program such that the program is accurately described as a "school of choice," and

(B) An "at-risk" assessment should be used to determine eligibility in the program;

(4) Appropriately certified teaching faculty;

(5) Teaching faculty with experiences or personal traits that qualify them for successful work with at-risk students, typically including

(A) At least one representative of the district's alternative education program must attend at least one of the Fall regional meetings at the State Department of Education, and

(B) Professional development intentionally designed to support alternative education is used to improve instruction and student succes;

(6) Collaboration with state and local agencies;

(7) Courses that meet the curricular standards adopted by the State Board of Education and additional remedial courses;

(8) Individualized instruction;

(9) Clear and measurable program goals and objectives;

(10) Counseling and social service components, typically including:

(A) Students meet with licensed/certified counselor(s) at least once a month in a group or individual setting

(B) As needed, an "at-risk" assessment is used to determine social service needs

(C) Counseling and social service agencies are an integral part of the alternative education program. Alternative Education programs engage with these agencies to provide additional student supports;

(11) Graduation plan for each student;

(12) Life skills instruction, which should typically be integrated weekly to include long term transition to selfsufficiency, employment, or financial stability for adult life;

(13) Opportunities for arts education, which must be infused into the academic curriculum at least monthly;

(14) A proposed annual budget;

(15) Service to students in grades seven (7) through twelve (12) who are most at risk of not completing high school for reasons other than disability, including

(A) Allocating adequate funding and resources to support and protect the integrity of the program; and

(B) Providing Alternative Education students standard services including but not limited to physical classroom space, library access, school nutrition, and transportation; and

(16) Opportunities for student participation in vocational programs and extra-curricular activities such as athletics, band, and clubs.

(b)Submission of alternative education plan. Every school district shall submit and certify an Alternative Education Implementation Plan to the State Department of Education by September 1 of each year. This plan shall outline how the district will meet the criteria listed in subsection (a) to serve its at-risk students. The plan must be submitted and certified by school districts providing their own alternative education programs, as well as districts which offer alternative education through interlocal cooperative arrangements, and districts which have no alternative education program and receive no alternative education funding.

(c)Alternative education waiver available for elementary school districts. Revoked rule text because statute addresses waiver and additional rules are unnecessary.

(d)Deregulation not necessary for conforming alternative education programs. A school district need not apply to the State Board of Education for a deregulation in order to implement an alternative education program that meets all requirements listed in this subchapter and at 70 O.S. § 1210.566 through 70 O.S. § 1210.568.

(e)Board appeals for the sixteen criteria. Any school district who has valid reasons to comply with the criteria under subsection (a) aside from the typical definition, and any school district otherwise dissatisfied with the State Department of Education's application of the criteria, may request review by the State Board of Education within thirty days of receiving a report from the Department.

Okla. Admin. Code § 210:35-29-8

Adopted by Oklahoma Register, Volume 32, Issue 23, August 17, 2015, eff. 8/27/2015

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 36, Issue 21, July 15, 2019, eff. 7/25/2019

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 41, Issue 23, August 15, 2024, eff. 8/25/2024