FILE: IDDG
ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Acadia Parish School Board recognizes that exclusion from the educational program of the schools, whether by suspension or expulsion, is the most severe sanction that can be imposed on a pupil and one that cannot be imposed without due process, since expulsion deprives a student of the right to an education.
At risk students suspended for more than ten (10) days or expelled from school shall remain under the supervision of the school system using an alternative education program designed to continue the educational process in an alternative educational placement. The alternative education program is designed to offer variations of traditional instructional programs and strategies for the purpose of increasing the likelihood that pupils who are unmotivated or unsuccessful in the traditional programs or who are disruptive in the traditional school environment remain in school and earn course credits when possible, and to provide assistance with social skills and work habits. When students identified as IDEA students are removed, IDEA regulations must be followed.
A student placed in an alternative school or an alternative education program shall attend and participate in such school, program, or education services. The parent, tutor, or legal guardian of any such student shall ensure attendance of the student as required. The Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, with the approval of the Superintendent, shall have the authority to file court proceedings to enforce the attendance requirements.
The School Board may solicit and contract with an education service provider to provide educational services to students placed in an alternative school or an alternative education program. Alternative educational services to be rendered shall be in accordance with state law and rules and regulations promulgated by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Other alternative education programs may be available for students with special needs. These programs are enumerated in the Board's Pupil Progression Plan.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Acadia Parish Alternative School is to provide Acadia Parish at risk students or students who have been recommended for expulsion an opportunity to do so in an alternative program away from their regular school setting. The alternative school environment will provide opportunities for continued academic growth, counseling, and social skills training, all of which will help students develop compassion, self-discipline, responsibility, and the life skills needed to become productive citizens.
The staff at the school will guide students to reflect, to identify and set academic/ career goals, to make better choices, to develop life skills, higher expectations and self-confidence. Students will be encouraged to redirect themselves toward becoming lifelong learners and productive citizens.
ENROLLMENT
Upon the request of the student's parent, tutor, or other person responsible for the student's school attendance, a student enrolled in school between ages of sixteen (16) and eighteen (18) years may be allowed, with approval of the School Board, to attend an alternative education program.
ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL SCREENING AND REVIEW COMMITTEE
The Alternative School Screening and Review Committee will be comprised of the alternative school principal, an alternative school faculty member, and, if available, a principal or designee from a non-referring school and a special education representative (when applicable).
Entry Criteria
Acadia Parish students, ages 11-21, at risk or recommended for expulsion, agreement of parent/guardian and student, and students waiting to enter or re-entering school from a correctional facility or mental health facility.
Exit Criteria
Regular education students shall remain until they complete the assigned expulsion period. Students returning from a correctional facility shall remain for at least six (6) weeks before reporting to their regular schools. Special education students shall stay until the beginning of the following school year, pending review of IEP. Any student violating the unexcused absence policy and/or the infractions of the alternative school policy will be terminated from the program.
PROCEDURE FOR ENTERING THE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL
In cases of expulsions, the hearing officer shall provide the student with the option of attending the alternative school during the expulsion hearing. The student shall apply to enter the alternative school. The Alternative School Committee shall interview the parent and student, review eligibility requirements and make a determination. The student shall be notified of the decision, and if accepted, shall be given a date to enter the school.
For at risk students, once the referral has been made from the school level, the hearing officer, referring principal, and alternative program coordinator shall review the referral and make a determination.
CURRICULUM
The curriculum of the Acadia Parish Alternative School shall be the state-approved middle/high school curriculum, which includes reading, language arts, social studies, science, and math, etc. Computer-assisted curriculum for remediation and enrichment in the state-approved curriculum, as well as conflict resolution, life skills, and counseling, shall also be offered.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Hours of operation shall be from 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. From 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Alternative School Screening and Review Committee will review, plan, and have time for staff development.
RECOMMENDED CLASS SCHEDULE
Class scheduling and the lunch period will be adjusted by the principal.
TRANSPORTATION
Special transportation services may be provided students attending the alternative school.
STAFF
The initial staff of the Acadia Parish Alternative School shall consist of nine members, which shall include a principal, two secondary teachers, two middle school teachers, one special education teacher, one counselor, one secretary/clerk, and one maintenance employee.
STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO
A student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1 shall be maintained as much as possible. Staff will need to increase as enrollment reaches maximum of 100 to satisfy a 12 to 1 ratio.
DRESS CODE
Students will wear Acadia Parish School Board approved uniforms and an Acadia Parish Alternative School identification badge.
PARENT REQUIREMENTS AT THE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL
Parents shall be required to attend mandatory meetings, provide necessary information including valid emergency numbers, accompany student(s) to entry and exit interviews, attend parent-teacher conferences, and adhere to alternative school policies (i.e., meetings, school visitations).
ENTRY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS
Special education students shall be given an option to apply via an IEP committee as are other regular education students.
Revised: February 6, 2012
Revised: December 3, 2012
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ยงยง17:7.5, 17:81, 17:100.5, 17:221, 17:224, 17:416.2
Alternative Education Schools/Programs Standards, Bulletin 131, Louisiana Department of Education
Board minutes, 3-23-98, 2-6-12, 3-5-12, 12-3-12
Acadia Parish School Board