Evaluating Effective LE Legislation

Below are components of Learn Everywhere legislation identified as “user-friendly.”

How does the legislation in your state compare?

1) IS THERE A MAIN MESSAGE TO FRAME THE LEGISLATION?

For Example:

Learn Everywhere policies encourage learning for students through a diversity of approaches and provide opportunities for students to earn credit for learning taking place outside of the traditional classroom. Providing access to alternative educational opportunities helps to amplify the interests and aptitudes of each student and enables them to discover, develop, and apply their individual talents to realize their full potential. In order to provide these extended learning opportunities through the State Board of Education, local school districts, or governing boards of non-public schools. 1

The Legislature finds and declares that:

(1) Many entities, including, but not limited to, nonprofit organizations, businesses, trade associations, parents, teachers, and school personnel, 2 may have an interest in offering programs outside of the traditional classroom that are attractive to students, contain educational value, and qualify for credit. Sponsoring entities wishing to provide an extended learning opportunity for credit shall submit an application to the State Board of Education. 3

(2) A student 4 wishing to blend traditional school with out-of-school learning opportunities in order to create a uniquely tailored educational experience for which credit may be awarded, shall submit a proposal for the alternative education opportunity to the superintendent of instruction of their local public school district, or to the governing board of their non-public school.

2) DOES THE LEGISLATION PROVIDE A CLEAR APPLICATION PROCESS?

For example:

An application submitted to the State Board of Education by a sponsoring entity shall include:

  1. Name and information of the sponsoring entity;
  2. Program title and description for each course to be provided by the sponsoring entity;
  3. Description of instructor qualifications;
  4. Statement of how students will demonstrate proficiency;
  5. Statement of how student progress will be evaluated

A proposal submitted to a local school district superintendent of instruction or governing board of a non-public school by a student shall include:

  1. Student name and student identification number;
  2. A description of the program;
  3. An outline of the proposed program goals;
  4. The expected student outcomes;
  5. A description of assessments of student learning

3) DOES THE LEGISLATION PROVIDE A CLEAR REVIEW PROCESS?

For Example:

The application from the sponsoring entity or student proposal will be evaluated by the appropriate state or local administrative body within thirty (30) days of receipt.

  • If the application is incomplete or requires additional information, the applicant will be notified of the requirements for completion by email;
  • If the application is complete, the application will be approved or denied and the applicant will be notified by email.
  • If the application is denied, the notification will detail the reasons for denial and suggest ways to improve the application that will assist in a more favorable review. 5 The applicant may cure the deficiencies and reapply at any time.

Footnotes:

1 Applies to public and private school students.

2 Broad definition of "entity" facilitates individualized pathways to learning.

3 Single application process provides for consistency and predictability throughout the state. Ensures all students have equal opportunity to receive credit for comparable educational experiences and discourages arbitrary local protectionism.

4 Allows a student to submit an ELO proposal independent of an approved entity providing maximum access to credit bearing ELO programming.

5 A streamlined and collaborative review process demonstrates a desire to entourage and support partnerships between in-school and out-of-school education provider.