2480  ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The Board of Education may operate an alternative education program in accordance with the requirements of N.J.A.C. 6A:16-9.1.  The program shall be approved by the Commissioner of Education and shall be separate and distinct from the already existing programs operated by the Board.

An alternative education program will fulfill the program criteria for both a high school and middle school program as outlined in N.J.A.C. 6A:16-9.2.  A program will have a maximum pupil-teacher ratio of 12:1 for high school programs and 10:1 for middle school programs. An Individualized Program Plan (IPP) shall be developed for each general education pupil enrolled in the program in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:16-9.2(a)3.  For a pupil with a disability, the alternative education program shall be consistent with the pupil's Individualized Education Program (IEP), pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:14, Special Education.

Individualized instruction to all pupils shall address the Core Curriculum Content Standards.  Academic instruction sufficient to fulfill graduation requirements, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1, shall be provided to high school pupils.  Comprehensive support services and programs shall address each pupil's health, social, and emotional development and behavior.  Instructional staff in an alternative education program shall be appropriately certified.

Pupils in the alternative education program shall comply with attendance policies, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.8 and 6A:32-8.3.  Case management services including, but not limited to, monitoring and evaluating pupil progress and coordinating instructional and support services shall be provided as required in N.J.A.C. 6A:16-9.2(a)10.  Services to facilitate the transition of pupils returning to the general or special education program from the alternative education program shall be provided.  A minimum pupil enrollment period of not less than two complete marking periods shall be required pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-9.2(a)12.

Pupil placement in an alternative education program shall be made pursuant to N.J.A.C. 16A:9.3(a).  If the district places a pupil in an alternative education program operated by another district Board of Education, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-9.1(a), or another approved agency, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-9.1(b), the sending school district shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements of N.J.A.C. 6A:16-9.

Decisions regarding continued placement in an alternative education program or a change to a pupil's placement shall be made for general education pupils in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:16-9.3(c)1 and for pupils with disabilities in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:16-9.3(c)2.

N.J.A.C. 6A:16-9.1; 6A:16-9.2; 6A:16-9.3

Date Adopted:  7/16/07