Alternative Learning
Environment
MONITORING INFORMATION
STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITATION
On-Campus Standards Review (OSR) Checklist
July 7, 2013
Tammy Long
Item #185
 Appropriate committee members determine student
participation in an Alternative Learning Environment
(ALE). Ark. Code Ann. § 6-48-101 through § 6-48-104.
 See Rule 4.02 for student eligibility and placement.
 Documentation: List of committee members and
meeting dates, observation of classroom
 Examples of Evidence: agenda, minutes, dates of
meetings, signatures of members, why they are
involved
Item #186
 Clear documents available that describe the purpose
of alternative education to parents and the
community in an Alternative Learning Environment.
Ark. Code Ann. § 6-48-101 through § 6-48-104.
 Documentation: observation in classroom
 Examples of Evidence: documentation of the ALE
program to the community and parents (brochures,
narrative, etc.)
Item #187
 Grade levels enrolled in the Alternative Learning
Environment program match the program description
submitted to the ALE Unit for approval. Ark. Code Ann. §
6-48-101 through § 6-48-104.
 Documentation: Observation of classroom; Rule 4.05
addresses program approval, reporting, and monitoring.
On or before March 31 of each year, each ALE program
shall submit to the Department of Education, in electronic
format, a program description documenting the program’s
compliance with Ark. Code Ann. § 6-48-101 through § 6-48104 and these rules.
Item #187 Cont.
 Examples of Evidence: Rule 4.03 states the student/teacher
ratios:
K-6 = 10 students to 1 teacher or 12 students
to 1 teacher + 1 paraprofessional.
7-12 = 15 students to 1 teacher or 18 students
to 1 teacher + 1 paraprofessional. In a middle
school where the grade configuration includes
grades 5 or 6, or both, the student/teacher
ratios for grades 7-12 may be applied.
Grades that are in your program approval are the ones you are
permitted to teach.
Item #188
 Direct instruction is the primary educational component in the
Alternative Learning Environment . Ark. Code Ann. § 6-48-101
through § 6-48-104.
 Documentation: lesson plans and observation of classroom,
copy of schedule, HQT forms
 All direct instruction in core academic subject areas shall be
provided by highly qualified teachers. See Commissioner Memo
LS-13-042, dated 03-03-13. Need current HQT form, March 2012, if
an area has been added or license has been renewed; This
commissioner memo has a hyperlink that will take you through
the website, with appropriate forms, information, etc.
 Examples of Evidence: lesson plans and schedule to determine
the percentage of direct instruction
Item #189
 ALE students participate in school wide activities enrolled in the
Alternative Learning Environment. Ark. Code Ann. § 6-48-101 through § 648-104.
 Rule 4.01.3 = An ALE shall not be punitive but shall provide the guidance,
counseling, and academic support necessary to enable students who are
experiencing emotional, social or academic problems to continue to make
progress toward educational goals appropriate to each individual student’s
specific situation, characteristics, abilities, and aspirations.
 Documentation: lesson plans and observation of classroom
 Examples of Evidence: Questions about student schedules will show that
students are allowed to participate in extra activities, field trips, sports, etc.
Discussion or questions about why certain students are enrolled in ALE
Item #190
 Evidence of social skills education, career, college,
vocational and transitional life skills are occurring in
the Alternative Learning Environment. Ark. Code
Ann. § 6-48-101 through § 6-48-104.
 Documentation: lesson plans and observation of
classroom
 Examples of Evidence: Life skills/character education
programs, documentation of counselor visits with
students
Standards Assurance Unit
 The Standards Assurance Unit of the Arkansas Department
of Education works with the school districts to provide
assistance, answer questions, etc. related to the standards.
Each school district is assigned to a specialist in this unit.
The specialist can provide assistance, provide workshops,
etc. to the district to help answer questions about the
standards. If you do not know the name of your district’s
specialist, you may call 501-682-4380.
 The Standards of Accreditation are currently being revised
but are not finished at the time of this presentation.
QUESTIONS???
 Johnie Walters, Supervisor of the Standards
Assurance Unit
 Call 501-682-4380 to talk to the Standards Assurance
Specialist for your school district.
References
 Arkansas Department of Education, Standards for
Accreditation, Division of Public School
Accountability, Four Capitol Mall, Room 202-B, Little
Rock, AR 72201.