Washington Association
for
Learning Alternatives
"Supporting Educational Options for All Learners"
Lile Holland, Executive Director
P.O. Box 4596
Bremerton, WA. 98312
800-455-9252
walakids@comcast.net
What is Alternative Education?
"Alternative education is a perspective, not a procedure or program. It is based upon the belief that there are many ways to become educated, as well as many types of environments and structures within which this may occur. Further, it recognizes that all people can be educated and that it is in society's interest to ensure that all are educated to at least...[a] general high school... level. To accomplish this requires that we provide a variety of structures and environments such that each person can find one that is sufficiently comfortable to facilitate progress." (Ray Morley, 1991)
Alternative schools are any school that does not follow the traditional school model. Some types might include: Parent-Partner Programs, where the parent is the primary teacher and instruction takes place outside the school setting; Digital Learning Schools, where the courses offered and the instruction is accomplished on-line: Specialty Schools, including ones that emphasize the arts - dance or music, college prep programs, or trade schools, Credit Recovery Programs work with students who are behind in credits and may not graduate with their cohort, Re-Entry programs work with students that may have been suspended or involved with the juvenile justice system and need a place to catch up on academic and social skills before returning to their regular assignment, After-Hours programs may be involved in credit recovery or exist simply as a convenience for the working student - but the programs normal hours of operation are in the evening, Suspended or Expelled programs work with students who have been suspended or expelled from their regular school - in many cases this is placement allows the student to continue earning credits while serving their suspension, ELL- English Language Learners. Other models exist within the framework of alternative education. As they become more numerous, we will include them in our definition.
What is WALA and what does it do?
WALA was conceived in 1973 by a group of alternative school teachers and administrators who met on an irregular basis to compare notes and discuss common issues. In 1980, WALA incorporated as The Washington Association for Learning Alternatives, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation. WALA's mission was, and is, to assist public and private education in providing options in education.
The corporation holds a fall and a spring conference each year. The focus of the conferences is student learning, staff support, and program enrichment and development. The corporation maintains a individual, school and district memberships.
The officers of the corporation and members of the State Board of Directors are required by the adopted by-laws to be members of the organization. Two members are elected form each of the six Regions to serve as member of the Board. The Region Representatives serve two year terms, during which each Representative hosts region meetings with activities for students and staff. Current activities include; Friendship Games, Knowledge Bowl, State Alternative School Volleyball Tournament, and a host of other student activities. Teachers and administrators are offered assistance in planning and program design through scheduled meetings throughout each of the regions.
WALA has open nominations for any one desiring to run for office. The individual must be a WALA individual member and attend the annual conference. Elections are held during the Region meetings at the Conference.
Committee chairs, appointed by the President, are also required to be members of the organization. Individual terms of service are set by the President. Parent-Partnership Programs hold regular meetings to discuss issues pertinent to their needs. School principals are kept informed of alternative program services.
In support of the mission statement, the WALA State Board of Directors has established student scholarships and grants to member schools and individuals. These are funded by WALA and supported through sales and an auction at the WALA conferences.
WALA recognizes exceptional teachers, support staff, and administrators through annual awards for Alternative Elementary and Alternative Secondary Educator of the Year. WALA also recognizes members of the community who support alternative education. Each year WALA members nominate a Friend of Alternative Education to be recognized at the annual conference.
WALA also recognizes outstanding schools and programs through the WALA Certification process. Staff, students, parents, and community members complete a self-assessment and develop improvement plans based on recognized best practices in teaching, learning, and program administration.
The OPTIONS Newsletter is published quarterly. It provides members with updated information on committee and region activities, current trends, pending legislative and OSPI actions, and articles written by practitioners featuring successful learning experiences.
WALA does this and a lot more......
The Washington Association for Learning Alternatives Promotes, Supports and Explores efforts with Families and Communities to achieve Educational Options that provide full opportunity for all learners to become successful.
To this end, WALA believes in these five principles:
All Learners Have Unlimited Potential
All Learners Are Empowered and Supported
All Learners' Developmental Needs Are Met
All Learners Have Diverse Opportunities
All Learners Are Valued and Unique Individuals
Top
President - Randy Hill
Sequim School District
503 N. Sequim Ave.
Sequim, WA. 98382
(360) 582-3609
Secretary/Treasurer - Cherie Exner
P.O. Box 1104
Republic, WA. 99166
(509) 775-3975
Past-President - Darlene Quayle
ICE Program
1637 Grant Street
Port Townsend, WA. 98368
(360) 379-4251
Top
The WALA State Board is composed of the Officers of the Corporation, an appointed Representative from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and two Representatives from each of the six State Regions. By rule, Representative serve a two year term with position one being elected in the odd numbered years, and position two being elected in the even numbered years. In addition to serving on the Board, Representatives are responsible for hosting Region Meetings to inform members and the community at large of events affecting alternative education. Representative also host activities for students, participate in school visitations, and represent WALA within their regions. There are three State Board Meetings each year which the Representative are required to attend. The calendar for these meetings is set at the annual fall retreat. Additionally, the Representatives are required to attend the two annual conferences and host region meetings at each conference.
WALA Board of Directors - 2008-09
Back Row (Lto R) Wendell Ellis, Ron Mayberry, Heather Hastie-Ulery, BrianAnderson,
Dan Arola, Mark Clements, June Shirey, Jane Andrew
Front Row (Lto R) Cherie Exner, Randy Hill, Brad Sprague, Rocky Rissler
Note Pictured: Shari Carragher, Karen O'Donnell, Amy Holmes, Karen Estes,
2007-08 Directors
Position 1 - Dan Arola
Position 2 -
June Shirey
Position 1 - Brad Sprague
Position 2 - Jane Andrew
Position 1 - Sheri Carragher
Position 2 - Karen O'Donnell
Position 1 - Amy Holmes
Position 2 - Mark Clements
Position 1 - Rocky Rissler
Position 2 -
Sherrie Paterson
Position 1 - Heather Hastie
Position 2 -
Brian Anderson
By rule, WALA maintains four standing committees; Editorial Committee, Nominations Committee, Scholarship committee, and the Audit Committee. The chairperson for each of these committees is appointed by the President to serve a one year term. Additionally, the State Board has authorized the Awards Committee to supervise WALA awards and presentations at the Annual Conference, and the Legislative Liaison to monitor the State Legislature, OSPI, and the State board of Education, for pending actions which may effect alternative education, students, or WALA. By Presidential appointment, the Administrator's Representative, the Parent-Partnership Representative and the Counselor's Representative positions were established to act as liaison between WALA and the associated groups.
Standing Committees
The Editorial Committee is charged with the collection, editing, and review of all articles for publication in the OPTIONS Newsletter. The President-Elect is the Chairperson. He/She may appoint a Co-Chair to assist in facilitating the mission of the Committee. The Chairperson works closely with the Production Editor to insure articles are submitted in a timely manner, article content is a positive reflection of the WALA Mission Statement, and that OPTIONS is printed and delivered within the timeframe established by the WALA State Board.
Chairperson - Darlene Quayle, WALA Past-President
The Nominations Committee is charged with supervising the nominations of members for positions with the WALA State Board, including Officers and Region Representatives. The Committee is Chaired by the President-Elect. He/She may appoint a Co-Chair to assist in facilitating the mission of the Committee. The Chairperson works closely with the Region Representatives, the President, and the Executive Director to insure qualified personnel are running for all positions. The Nominations Committee is responsible for ballot preparation, distribution, and collection at the WALA Annual March Conference, counting the votes, and certifying the election.
Chairperson - Darlene Quayle, WALA Past-President
The Scholarship Committee is charged with supervising the preparation, distribution, collection, and evaluation of Scholarship and Grant applications, and selection of candidates meeting the requirements established by the WALA State Board, and providing the WALA State Board with a recommended action for each application. The Committee Chair is appointed by the President. The Chair is authorized to appoint a Co-Chair and/or Committee Members to assist in fulfilling the mission of the Committee.
Chairperson - Jim Lovejoy
The Awards Committee is charged with supervising the preparation, distribution, collection and evaluation of nominations for WALA Elementary Educator of the Year , WALA Secondary Educator of the Year, and the Friend of Alternative Education awards. The Committee is required to notify the President and Executive Director of the winners within the time frame established by the WALA State Board.
Chairperson - Cherie Exner
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is composed of the President-Elect, who acts as the Chairperson, the Secretary/Treasurer, the Executive Director, WALA Bookkeeper, and a member at large. The Committee is charged with performing an annual audit of the WALA financial records. The Audit is to take place prior to the end of the WALA fiscal year, (August 31.). The Committee Chairperson is required to prepare a written report of the committees findings and submit the report for approval to the WALA State Board at the Fall Retreat.
Chairperson - Randy Hill, WALA President
The Chairperson is responsible for informing WALA members of changes in personnel at the State Legislature, OSPI, and State board of Education; keeping members updated on pending changes to rules impacting alternative education, and notifying members of scheduled hearings on education issues. The Chairperson is appointed by the President for a one year term of office. The chairperson is also responsible for writing an article for each issue of OPTIONS Newsletter.
The Chairperson for the Administrative Committee is responsible for hosting meetings for alternative program administrators to keep them informed on events and changes that may impact alternative education. The Chairperson is appointed by the President to serve a one year term.
Co- Chairs -
Brad Sprague & Sherrie Patterson
Lile Holland, Executive Director
P.O. Box 4596
Bremerton, WA. 9831200403
800-455-9252
FAX: 360-405-6992
Gary Babcock, Conference Coordinator
825 Terry Street
Sunnyside, WA. 98944
509-837-4602
Barbara Bennett, Bookkeeper
WALA Business Office
P.O. Box 775
Clinton, WA. 98236
360-341-0320
FAX: 360-341-3511
Randy Hill
WALA
President
Conferences
Fall Conference
November 13-15, 200808
TRAC Center
Pasco, WA