a) Several agencies already have programs, developed in conjunction with one or more school districts, in which students who successfully complete the program will receive a high school diploma from their school district of residence. It is the policy of the State Board of Education to encourage, rather than disturb or replace, such existing relationships. Therefore, applicants (hereinafter called agency(ies)) seeking alternative education diploma granting authority pursuant to this Part shall be limited to:

1. 1) community colleges established and operating under the authority of the Public Community College Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 122, par. 101-1 et seq.) which do not already have relationships with local school districts that allow for awarding of diplomas as described in subsection(a) of this Section;
2. 2) educational service regions established and operating under the authority of Article 3A of The School Code (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 122, par. 3A-1 et seq.) which do not already have relationships with local school districts that allow for awarding of diplomas as described in subsection(a) of this Section.