Washington Association for Learning Alternatives

Washington Association for Learning Alternatives

May 17, 2010

In this issue:

• Alternative School Operation Standards  -  NEW
• 2010 WALA Scholarship Winners
• Digital Learning Department – OSPI
• WALA Fall Workshops – Call for Presenters
• 2010-2011 WALA Board Members
• Region Activities  -  May  Updates

 Operating Standards for Alternative Education Programs

On Saturday, May 15, 2010 the Board of Directors of the Washington Association for Learning Alternatives met to discuss ways to assist ALE programs comply with current rules and meet the expectations of the taxpayers whose money we are spending.  This is the beginning of the process.  Further study and discussion will be held.  Additional standards and expectations will be written. 

In the future. as part of the application process, WALA member schools will be required to attest that they follow these standards,  WALA recommends that each local school board adopt these standards as part of their policies and procedures and all alternative programs adopt and incorporate them.

 

Operation Standards

 

1. WALA will actively support all ALE schools and programs to file their required OSPI annual reports.  

 

2. All ALE programs in Washington State are required to participate in the appropriate state assessment.

 

3. All students should have access to all basic education programs throughout the district.

 

4. Students in alternative learning programs in Washington State are part of a local public school system and as such must have equity and be on parity with other district school students.

 

5. WALA is fundamentally opposed to any stipends, parent reimbursements or allocations. All state funding is for the sole purpose of supporting student learning plans and is subject to all state and district policies and procedures.

 

6. WALA supports the writing of and monitoring of Written Student Learning Plans by highly qualified staff.

 

7. WALA believes that the goal of  the two way weekly communication with students is to support the WSLP with instruction, assessment and assurance of student progress.

 

8. WALA supports students accessing their own district programs first. WALA is opposed to districts using organized campaigns to recruit students from other districts.

 

WALA will continue to work with districts, alternative programs, OSPI and other state agencies and governing bodies to create alternative programs that are viewed as viable and valuable alternatives to the traditional school model and an excellent use of taxpayer funds.

 

The WALA Board of Directors

 

 

WALA 2010 Scholarship Winners

 

Jim Lovejoy, Chair of the WALA Scholarship Committee, announced the following winners for the

2010 WALA Secondary Scholarships.  Congratulations to all !!!

 

WALA 2010 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
NAME	SCHOOL/PROGRAM	WILL BE ATTENDING	STUDYING
BLUE, AMANDA	AIM HIGH SCHOOL	UNDECIDED	X-RAY TECH; INTERIOR DESIGN
DAVIDSON, BAILEY	BARKER HS	SPOKANE CC	CRIMINAL JUSTICE
HANSEN, JESSICA	CROSSROADS COMMUNITY HS	EVEREST COLLEGE	MASSAGE THERAPY
HAYES, ETHAN	SKAGIT RIVER SCHOOL HOUSE	SKAGIT VALLEY COLLEGE	COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS
PARROT, HANNAH	EAGLE HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL	BIOLA UNIVERSITY	MUSIC COMP, ENG. LIT, CREATIVE WRITING
RAETZ, NOEL	RIVER HOMELINK	PACIFIC LUTHERAN U	BIOLOGY, LATIN, HISTORY
SCHAEFER, KENDRA	YELM EXTENSION SCHOOL	CLOVER PARK TECH COLL	APPLIED TECHNOLOGY, COSMETOLOGY
SELTZ, HELEENA	WEST AUBURN HS	SOUTH SEATTLE CC	EMT, SPANISH
WARD, ASHLEY	THE ENRICHMENT COOPERATIVE	BRIGHAM YOUNG U	MUSIC ED., ELEM ED.
ZALK, RACHEL	RIVER HOMELINK	WSU VANCOUVER	ELEM TEACHING

 

Digital Learning Department - OSPI

 

The Digital Learning Department at OSPI is pleased to offer an even lower rate on its Digital Library Package that includes four world-class online databases-Facts on File, Grolier Online, netTrekker d.i. and SIRS. Search and bookmarking tools further support your student's research efforts in a safe and secure environment. Pricing is $4.75 per student. For more information, visit: http://digitallearning.k12.wa.us/about/options/.

 

WALA Fall Workshop Series

 

The 2010 Fall Workshop Series dates and locations have been set.  Call for Presenters forms are due by June 4, 2010  Selected presenters will be notified by June 10, 2010.  The primary presenter’s registration fee will be waived.

 

Call for Presenter forms and Registration forms are available on the WALA website, www.walakids.com  - click on “Conference Info”.  The pdf forms may be typed in and printed.  Discounted registration fees are due two weeks prior to the date of the workshop.

 

Questions and information – call the WALA office – 800-455-9252

 

September 30, 2010           Pasco, WA                 Tri-Tech Skills Center                                

October   1, 2010                Spokane, WA             Spokane Skills Center                               

October 28, 2010                Yakima, WA               Yakima Valley Skills Center                      

October 29, 2010                Wenatchee, WA         North Central Skills Center                        

November 18, 2010            Vancouver, WA          Clark County Skills Center                          

November 19, 2010            Tumwater, WA           New Market Skills Center                           

December   9, 2009            Everett, WA                Sno-Isle Skills Center                                 

December 10, 2010            Bremerton, WA           ESD 114                                                    

 

 

Region Activities – April/May, 2010

 

17-19                     Region 5 WALA STARS Leadership Conference  - 

Chewelah Peak

 For information or directions, contact:

Eric Alm, (509) 937-4663  ext 281  ealm@columbiavirtualacademy.org or,

Karen Estes, (509) 638-2393 pestes@pioneernet.net or,

Dan O’Connor, (509) 686-9501 doconnor@bridgeport.wednet.edu

 

21                           Region 3 - The Shelton Alternative Program site visit

We have three main programs – a Home Partnership Academy which utilizes Nova Net software as well as pencil/paper contracts, Contract Based Education, and the CHOICE Day Program (full, 7 period days).  On Friday the 21^st we will be having our check-in day, so you will be able to see students in the building, as well as talk to staff about programs.

For information and directions, contact, Stacey Anderson SAnderson@sheltonschools.org  360-426-7664

807 W. Pine St. Shelton, WA  98584