Alternative Learning Experience

2023-24 Year End Report

RCWs and WACs

Alternative Learning Experience (ALE)

Online Learning

Learning Options Feedback Survey

The goal of the Learning Options Feedback Survey is to obtain regular feedback from our stakeholders.

Contact Information

Anissa Sharratt
Associate Director, Learning Options and ALE
360-725-6229

The Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) is public education where some or all of the instruction is delivered outside of a regular classroom schedule. It is available to all public school districts and public charter schools in Washington state. The intent of ALE is to ensure that students have educational opportunities designed to meet their individualized needs. ALE follows all public education requirements as well as Chapter 392-550 WAC.

Districts Offering ALE

This list is compiled from the 2022–23 ALE Year End Report and reflects programs identified by local school districts during the 2022-23 school year. Review the ‘Definitions’ tab of the document for more information.

Learning Options & ALE Annual Meeting

Join us for the 2025 Learning Options & ALE Annual Meeting (formerly called the ALE Administrator Meeting). This event will be held on Friday, January 17 from 9 am to 12 pm. More information about agenda topics and clock hours will be available closer to the meeting date.

Office Hours

School staff with questions regarding ALE implementation, compliance, choice transfers, online learning, reporting requirements, and more are invited to drop in for one-on-one office hours. We will meet individually with as many attendees as possible. Questions are answered on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be prepared to share a short summary of your question when you first join the meeting. We will match you with the program staff best able to answer your question and move you to a breakout room for a more in-depth conversation.

Office hours are held on the third or fourth Friday of each month from 9am–10 am. 

If you have questions, or to schedule a meeting outside of these office hours times, please contact us via the Learning Options email.

ALE Guidance

Serving Students with Disabilities

Communications & Video Guidance

ALE Compliance Forms

Below are sample forms to meet Alternative Learning Experience compliance. Please note that these are just samples and programs are welcome to develop their own to meet ALE requirements.

Sample ALE Compliance Forms

Written Student Learning Plan (WSLP)

Syllabus

Weekly Contact Log

Monthly Progress Review (MPR)

Intervention Plan

Statement of Understanding: Difference Between Home-based Instruction and ALE

WAC & RCW Rule Updates

ALE Rulemaking

Permanent ALE Rule Change–Effective August 15, 2022

  • Expands the methods through which the Washington Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) assessment and full-day kindergarten can be implemented in an ALE setting to allow observations through in-person or synchronous digital instructional contact. See WAC 392-550-035 and WAC 392-550-050 for more information.

Permanent ALE Rule Change–Effective August 14, 2021

  • Outlines a process for determining truancy, required interventions, and a threshold for filing a truancy petition for students enrolled in alternative learning experience courses beginning with the 2021-22 school year. See WAC 392-550-040 for more detail.

Permanent ALE Rule Change–Effective August 10, 2020

  • Moves the rules governing ALE to chapter 392-550 WAC and simplifies WAC 392-121-182 to include only enrollment reporting requirements.
  • Removes the requirement to obtain a parent signature documenting the parent’s understanding of the difference between home-based instruction and ALE. A requirement to notify families of the difference at enrollment and in school/program materials remains. See WAC 392-550-030(10) for more detail.

ALE Partners