605-Alternative Educational Services

Rationale	Date Approved/Revised
The purpose of this policy is to recognize the need for alternative education programs for some school district students	11/22/11 Revised: 5/21/19 Revised: 6/21/22

1)     General Statement of Policy

It is the policy of the school board that options shall be made available for some students to select educational alternatives that will enhance their opportunity to complete their education programs, recognizing that some students may become successful learners if given an opportunity to learn in a different environment and through a different learning style.  The school district recognizes the importance of alternative educational services for some students.  Circumstances may be such that some students are put at risk of being able to continue or to complete their education programs. 

2)  Responsibility  

A.                Any student who is 17 years old who seeks to withdraw from school, and the student’s parent or guardian must attend a meeting with school personnel to discuss the educational opportunities available to the student, including alternative educational opportunities and sign a written election to withdraw from school.

B.                It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to identify alternative educational opportunities to be made available to students who may be at risk, to recommend such alternative programs to the school board for approval, and to familiarize students and parents with the availability of such alternative services.  The superintendent shall, through cooperative efforts with other schools, agencies, and organizations, periodically recommend additional or modified alternative educational programs to the school board.

B.            The superintendent shall have discretionary authority to develop guidelines and directives to implement school board policy relating to alternative programs.  

Adoption and Revision History	Incorporated Policies
Policy 605 ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS This Policy Adopted:  January 13, 1998, Rescinded:  November 22, 2011	MSBA 605
Policy E-071 ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS This Policy Adopted:  November 22, 2011
Policy 605 ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS This Policy Revised:  May 21, 2019; Revised:  June 21, 2022

Administrative Rule, Regulation and Procedure: NA  

Legal References:                Minn. Stat. § 120A.22, Subd. 8 (Compulsory Instruction)

Minn. Stat. § 121A.41, Subd. 11 (Definitions – Alternative Educational Services)

Minn. Stat. § 121A.45, Subd. 1 (Grounds for Dismissal)

Minn. Stat. § 123A.06 (State-Approved Alternative Programs and Services)

Minn. Stat. § 124D.66 (Assurance of Mastery Programs)

Minn. Stat. § 124D.68 (Graduation Incentives Programs)

Minn. Stat. § 124D.74 (American Indian Language and Cultural Educational Programs)

Minn. Stat. § 125A.50 (Alternative Delivery of Specialized Instructional Services) 

Cross References:              MSBA/MASA Model Policy 603 (Curriculum Development)

MSBA/MASA Model Policy 604 (Instructional Curriculum)