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Article 13B - Alternative Learning Opportunities

      (105 ILCS 5/Art. 13B heading)ARTICLE 13B. ALTERNATIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑1)     Sec. 13B‑1. Short title. This Article may be cited as the Alternative Learning Opportunities Law. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑5)     Sec. 13B‑5. Legislative findings and declarations. The General Assembly finds and declares the following:         (1) It is the responsibility of each school district

to provide educational support for every student to meet Illinois Learning Standards.

(2) School districts need flexibility and financial

support to assist local schools in their efforts to provide students with educational and other services needed for students to successfully master the curriculum.

(3) Alternative education in this State has

traditionally provided student‑centered curriculum, social services, and other support needed to help students succeed.

(4) Standards‑based reform requires a comprehensive

approach to alternative education to ensure that every student has the opportunity to meet the State's rigorous learning standards.

(5) While school districts operating alternative

learning opportunities programs must comply with all applicable State and federal laws and rules, these districts should do so in a manner consistent with the goals and policies stated in this Article.

(Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑10)     Sec. 13B‑10. Purpose. The purpose of this Article is to specify the requirements for the operation of alternative learning opportunities programs, which are intended to provide students at risk of academic failure with the education and support services needed to meet Illinois Learning Standards and to complete their education in an orderly, safe, and secure learning environment. Services provided under this Article should be provided in a manner that addresses individual learning styles, career development, and social needs to enable students to successfully complete their education. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑15)     Sec. 13B‑15. Definitions. In this Article, words and phrases have the meanings set forth in the following Sections preceding Section 13B‑20 of this Code. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑15.5)     Sec. 13B‑15.5. State Board. "State Board" means the State Board of Education. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑15.10)     Sec. 13B‑15.10. Student at risk of academic failure. "Student at risk of academic failure" means a student at risk of not meeting the Illinois Learning Standards or not graduating from elementary or high school and who demonstrates a need for educational support or social services beyond that provided by the regular school program. Such students are eligible for services up to the age of 21. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑15.15)     Sec. 13B‑15.15. Student Success Plan. "Student Success Plan" means a plan based on an assessment of a student's educational and social functioning and skills and that establishes goals and objectives for satisfactory performance in an alternative learning opportunities program. The Plan must (i) specify the curriculum and instructional methods to be used in improving the student's educational performance, (ii) outline the support services needed to remove barriers to learning, (iii) specify, when appropriate, the career development experiences the student will receive to enhance his or her career awareness, (iv) set objectives to ensure a successful transition back to the regular school program or to post‑secondary educational options, and (v) outline the student's responsibilities under the Plan. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑15.20)     Sec. 13B‑15.20. Support services. "Support services" include alcohol and drug rehabilitation; individual, group, and family counseling; mentoring; tutoring; school physicals; health and nutrition education; classroom aides; career counseling; child care; and any other social, health, or supplemental service approved as part of the Student Success Plan that is required by students for their academic success. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑20)     Sec. 13B‑20. Alternative learning opportunities program. An alternative learning opportunities program shall provide a flexible standards‑based learning environment, innovative and varied instructional strategies, a student‑centered curriculum, social programs, and supplemental social, health, and support services to improve the educational achievement of students at risk of academic failure. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑20.5)     Sec. 13B‑20.5. Eligible activities and services. Alternative learning opportunities programs may include without limitation evening high school, in‑school tutoring and mentoring programs, in‑school suspension programs, high school completion programs to assist high school dropouts in completing their education, support services, parental involvement programs, and programs to develop, enhance, or extend the transition for students transferring back to the regular school program, an adult education program, or a post‑secondary education program. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑20.10)     Sec. 13B‑20.10. Who may establish and operate programs. School districts may establish alternative learning opportunities programs or may contract with regional offices of education, intermediate service centers, public community colleges, non‑profit or for‑profit education providers, youth service agencies, community‑based organizations, or other appropriate entities to establish alternative learning opportunities programs within the public school system and provide a range of alternative learning opportunities for those students in the State who do not meet Illinois Learning Standards. Districts may individually operate alternative learning opportunities programs or may collaborate with 2 or more districts or one or more regional offices of education or both or with intermediate service centers to create and operate alternative learning opportunities programs. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

    (105 ILCS 5/13B‑20.15)
    Sec. 13B‑20.15. Other eligible providers of alternative learning opportunities. School districts may contract with health, mental health, or human service organizations, workforce development boards or agencies, juvenile court services, juvenile justice agencies, juvenile detention programs, programs operated by the Department of Juvenile Justice, or other appropriate agencies or organizations to serve students whose needs are not being met in the regular school program by providing alternative learning opportunities.
(Source: P.A. 94‑696, eff. 6‑1‑06.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑20.20)     Sec. 13B‑20.20. Enrollment in other programs. General Educational Development preparation programs are not eligible for funding under this Article. A student may enroll in a program approved under Section 18‑8.05 of this Code, as appropriate, or attend both the alternative learning opportunities program and the regular school program to enhance student performance and facilitate on‑time graduation. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑20.25)     Sec. 13B‑20.25. Eligible students. Students in grades 4 through 12 who meet enrollment criteria established by the school district and who meet the definition of "student at risk of academic failure" are eligible to participate in an alternative learning opportunities program funded under this Article. All rights granted under this Article to a student's parent or guardian become exclusively those of the student upon the student's 18th birthday. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑20.30)     Sec. 13B‑20.30. Location of program. A school district must consider offering an alternative learning opportunities program on‑site in the regular school. An alternative learning opportunities program may be provided at facilities separate from the regular school or in classrooms elsewhere on school premises. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑20.35)     Sec. 13B‑20.35. Transportation of students. School districts that are required to provide transportation pursuant to Section 29‑3 of this Code shall provide transportation for students enrolled in alternative learning opportunities programs. Other school districts shall provide transportation to the same extent that they provide transportation to other students. A school district may collaborate with the regional superintendent of schools to establish a cooperative transportation agreement among school districts in the region to reduce the costs of transportation and to provide for greater accessibility for students attending alternative learning opportunities programs. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑25)     Sec. 13B‑25. Eligibility for funding. The criteria set forth in the following Sections preceding Section 13B‑30 of this Code shall determine the eligibility of an alternative learning opportunities program for funding. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑25.5)     Sec. 13B‑25.5. General standards for eligibility for funding. To be eligible for funding, an alternative learning opportunities program must provide evidence of an administrative structure, program activities, program staff, a budget, and a specific curriculum that is consistent with Illinois Learning Standards but may be different from the regular school program in terms of location, length of school day, program sequence, pace, instructional activities, or any combination of these. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑25.10)     Sec. 13B‑25.10. District policies, guidelines, and procedures; notification. Before receiving State funds for an alternative learning opportunities program, a school district must adopt policies and guidelines for the admission and transfer of students to the program and for transitioning students as appropriate back to the regular school program in a manner consistent with guidelines provided by the State Board. A school district must adopt policies and procedures for the establishment of a new alternative learning opportunities program or for securing State approval for an existing program. Any district that plans to establish an alternative learning opportunities program must notify the State Superintendent of Education before enrolling students in the program. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑25.15)     Sec. 13B‑25.15. Planning process and district plan. To apply for funding to establish or maintain an alternative learning opportunities program, a school district must initiate a planning process to specify the type of program needed by the district. Before submission of the district plan, the school district or consortium may apply for a one‑year planning grant. The planning process may involve key education and community stakeholders, such as teachers, administrators, parents, interested members of the community, and other agencies or organizations as appropriate. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑25.20)     Sec. 13B‑25.20. Requirements for the district plan. The district plan must be consistent with the school district's overall mission and goals and aligned with the local school improvement plans of each participating school. The district plan must include all of the following:         (1) A description of the program, including the

students at risk of academic failure to be served, evidence of need, program goals, objectives, and measurable outcomes.

(2) A staffing plan, including the experiences,

competency, and qualifications of certified and non‑certificated staff and emphasizing their individual and collective abilities to work with students at risk of academic failure.

(3) A description and schedule of support services

that will be available to students as part of their instructional program, including procedures for accessing services required for students on an as‑needed basis.

(4) How the district will use grant funds to improve

the educational achievement of students at risk of academic failure.

(5) A detailed program budget that includes sources

of funding to be used in conjunction with alternative learning opportunities grant funds and a plan for allocating costs to those funds.

(6) A plan that outlines how funding for alternative

learning opportunities will be coordinated with other State and federal funds to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the program.

(7) A description of other sources of revenue the

district will allocate to the program.

(8) An estimate of the total cost per student for

the program and an estimate of any gap between existing revenue available for the program and the total cost of the program.

(9) A description of how parents and community

members will be involved in the program.

(10) Policies and procedures used by the district to

grant credit for student work satisfactorily completed in the program.

(11) How the district will assess students enrolled

in the program, including how statewide testing for students in alternative learning opportunities settings will be addressed.

(12) How students will be admitted to the program

and how students will make an effective transition back to the regular school program, as appropriate.

(13) All cooperative and intergovernmental

agreements and subcontracts with eligible entities.

(Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑25.25)     Sec. 13B‑25.25. Testing and assessment. A district plan for an alternative learning opportunities program operated through a cooperative or intergovernmental agreement must provide procedures for ensuring that students are included in the administration of statewide testing programs. Students enrolled in an alternative learning opportunities program shall participate in State assessments under Section 2‑3.64 of this Code. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑25.30)     Sec. 13B‑25.30. Annual update and submission of district plan. A district plan must be updated annually and submitted to the State Board. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑25.35)     Sec. 13B‑25.35. Regional plan. Based on district plans to provide alternative learning opportunities, the regional office of education must submit an annual plan summarizing the number, needs, and demographics of students at risk of academic failure expected to be served in its region. This plan must be updated annually and submitted to the State Board. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑30)     Sec. 13B‑30. Responsibilities of the State Board; rules. The State Board has the responsibilities set forth in the following Sections preceding Section 13B‑35 of this Code. The State Board may adopt rules as necessary to implement this Article. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑30.5)     Sec. 13B‑30.5. Program assistance, evaluation, and monitoring. Subject to the availability of State funds, the State Board is authorized to assist school districts in developing and implementing alternative learning opportunities programs to meet the educational needs of students at risk of academic failure. The State Board shall develop research‑based guidelines for alternative learning opportunities programs, provide technical assistance to ensure the establishment of quality programs aligned with Illinois Learning Standards, and contract for services to conduct an annual statewide evaluation. The State Board shall conduct compliance visits of and monitor programs, as appropriate. The State Board may conduct other program‑related research and planning projects, as appropriate, to enhance student outcomes. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑30.10)     Sec. 13B‑30.10. Compliance. The State Board is responsible for ensuring that all alternative learning opportunities programs are in compliance with all applicable federal and State laws, unless otherwise specified in this Article. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑30.15)     Sec. 13B‑30.15. Statewide program evaluation of student outcomes. Alternative learning opportunities programs must be evaluated annually on a statewide basis. Indicators used to measure student outcomes for this evaluation may include program completion, elementary school graduation, high school graduation or passage of the General Educational Development test, attendance, the number of students involved in work‑based learning activities, the number of students making an effective transition to the regular school program, further education or work, and improvement in the percentage of students enrolled in the sending school district or districts that meet State standards. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑30.20)     Sec. 13B‑30.20. Suspension or revocation of program approval. The State Board may suspend or revoke approval of an alternative learning opportunities program under any one of the following conditions:         (1) A failure to meet educational outcomes as

enumerated in Section 13B‑30.15 of this Code and as specified in the alternative learning opportunities grant agreement for a period of 2 or more consecutive years.

(2) A failure to comply with all applicable laws as

specified in this Code.

(3) A failure to comply with the terms and

conditions of the alternative learning opportunities grant.

(4) A failure to maintain financial records

according to generally accepted accounting procedures as specified by the State Board.

(Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(105 ILCS 5/13B‑30.25)     Sec. 13B‑30.25. Corrective action plan. For school districts whose alternative learning opportunities programs are not making progress in specified program outcomes, the State Board may require a school district to submit a corrective action plan. (Source: P.A. 92‑42, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

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