WALA believes that nearly all ALE programs operate in an ethical and professional 

manner.  However, the Washington State legislature and others have raised concerns 

about the possibility of “unethical” practices by a few ALE programs.   WALA would like 

to  clarify  what  it  considers  unethical.    WALA  will  not  support  programs  that  engage  in 

one or more of the following practices.  Thus, the WALA membership of any school or 

program that engages in one or more of these practices will be suspended and the staff 

of the program will be prohibited from presenting at WALA events.    These practices 

include: 

 Giving stipends or “signing bonuses” to families for enrolling. 

 Using curriculum not approved by the district and/or religious curriculum  

 Providing financial incentives to employees based on enrollment numbers. 

 Altering the district’s regular instructional program offerings to meet 

“substantially similar” requirements. 

 Marketing by parent partnership programs directed outside the program’s 

district. 

 Failing to inventory non-consumable items or “gifting” these items to students 

and/or families. 

 The creation of schools and/or programs by a district in another district with the 

absence of a contract that specifically addresses the arrangement. 

WALA is dedicated to supporting programs and districts in complying with ethical 

practices which meet students’ needs and enhance academic learning. 

The WALA Board of Directors 

Adopted October 17, 2011 

Please download the form below to join WALA.