6172(a)

Instruction
Alternative Education Programs

 The purpose of this policy is to recognize the need for alternative education programs for some Hamden students.

The Board of Education (Board) is dedicated to providing educational options for all students within available financial constraints. It is recognized there will be students in the Hamden schools whose needs and interests are best served by participation in an alternative education program.

"Alternative education" means a school or program maintained and operated by the Board that is offered to students in a nontraditional educational setting and addresses the social, emotional, behavioral and academic needs of such students.

The Board may provide alternative education to students in accordance with the guidelines established by the State Board of Education. Such guidelines shall include, but not be limited to, a description of the purpose and expectation of alternative education, criteria for student eligibility, and criteria for how and when a student may enter or exit alternative education.

In providing alternative education to students, the Board may use space in an existing school or establish a new school. Such programs must comply with state laws pertaining to the number and length of school days in an academic year and shall be subject to all other federal and state laws governing public schools.

The Board may form a cooperative arrangement with other boards of education, to provide alternative education pursuant to C.G.S. 10-158a.

Such an arrangement may include the establishment of a committee to supervise the program, with committee membership determined by cooperating boards. Such committee shall have the power, in accordance with the terms of the agreement, to (1) apply for, receive directly and expend on behalf of the school districts which have designated the committee an agent for such purpose any state or federal grants which may be allocated to school districts for specified programs, the supervision of which has been delegated to such committee, provided such grants are payable before implementation of any such program or are to reimburse the committee for transportation provided to a school operated by a cooperative arrangement; (2) receive and disburse funds appropriated to the use of such committee by the cooperating school districts, the state or the United States, or given to the committee by individuals or private corporations; (3) hold title to real or personal property in trust, or as otherwise agreed to by the parties, for the appointing boards; (4) employ personnel; (5) enter into contracts; and (6) otherwise provide the specified programs, services and activities. Teachers employed by any such committee shall be subject to the provisions of the general statutes applicable to teachers employed by the board of education of any town or regional school district. 

A list of alternative programs will be approved by the Board annually. The Superintendent may provide for the involvement of staff, parents and the community in recommending alternative

6172(b)

Instruction

Alternative Education Programs

education programs for Board approval.  There shall be an annual evaluation of alternative education programs.

The Board, as required, will post on its website information about any alternative education offered, including purpose, location, contact information, staff directory and enrollment criteria. In addition, the Board recognizes its responsibility to give all children in the District who receive alternative education as nearly equal advantages as may be practicable compared to other children in the District. In addition, the Board shall annually submit to the Commissioner of Education a strategic school profile report for each alternative school or program under its jurisdiction.

Alternative education programs implemented by the District are to maintain learning options that are flexible with regard to environment, structure and pedagogy. Such programs include, but are not limited to, a separate school, tutorial instruction, small group instruction, large group instruction, counseling and guidance, computer- assisted instruction, cooperative work experience, supervised community service activities and supervised independent study.

It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent of Schools to identify alternative program opportunities to be made available to students at risk, to recommend such alternative programs to the Board for approval, and to familiarize students and parents/guardians with the availability of such alternative programs. The Superintendent shall, through cooperative efforts with other districts, schools, agencies and organizations, periodically recommend additional or modified alternative educational programs to the Board.

(cf. 6172.6 - Virtual/Online Courses)

Legal Reference:         
Connecticut General Statutes

10-4p(b) Implementation plan to achieve resource equity and equality of opportunity. Assessment. Reports. (as amended by PA 15-133)

 10-15 Towns to maintain schools.

 10-16 Length of school year.

 10-158a Cooperative arrangements among towns. School building projects. Student transportation.

 10-220 Duties of boards of education (as amended by PA 15-133)

 10-223h(c) Commissioner's network of schools. Turnaround committees. Operations and instructional audit. Turnaround plans. Report. (as amended by PA 15-133)

PA 15-133 An Act Concerning Alternative Education
 

Policy adopted:  March 10, 2020

HAMDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Hamden, Connecticut