1. (a) “Alternative program” means the delivery of a student’s learning opportunities through individualization, personalization, and differentiated methods designed to address the needs of individual students or groups of students that might be different from the learning opportunities used by the schools of the district for the student population.
2. (b) An alternative program may be housed in the same facility as a school or at a different location.

3. (c) An alternative program shall be:

   1. (1) Designed to address the personalized and differentiated needs of students; and

   2. (2) Approved by the local school board in a plan that:

      1. a. States the goals of the program and curriculum to be provided;
      2. b. Enables students to opt into the program at the request of the students’ parent or guardian;
      3. c. Specifies the procedures for assessing and implementing the program consistent with RSA 193-C:3, III;
      4. d. Specifies when the program would be offered, which may be at a time other than during the regular school day;
      5. e. Demonstrates how the alternative program will enable the participating students to achieve the same district competencies and graduation requirements outlined for all students; and
      6. f. Details how ELOs, remote learning pursuant to Ed 306.18, and other learning opportunities will be incorporated as a learning option for all students.
4. (d) Alternative programs for students with disabilities shall meet the requirements of confidentiality of information pursuant to Ed 1119.
5. (e) Annually, a school administrative unit (SAU) that implements an alternative program shall report the program to the department.
6. (f) Each student participating in an alternative program shall participate in the state assessment exam, when applicable.
7. (g) Assignment of students to an alternative program shall be voluntary and require written approval from the parent or guardian.
8. (h) Staff assigned to an alternative program shall meet the same licensure requirements as staff assigned to schools in accordance with Ed 306.12.

9. (i) Students in an alternative program shall be provided student services equivalent to those provided in schools including, but not limited to:

   1. (1) Food and nutrition services under Ed 306.10;
   2. (2) Health services under Ed 306.11; and
   3. (3) Counseling services.
10. (j) The school year for alternative programs shall meet the requirements of Ed 306.15.
11. (k) Alternative programs which result in the awarding of a high school diploma shall meet the requirements of Ed 306.23(d).
12. (l) Alternative programs which are supervised by the principal of a school shall be considered part of that school for reporting and assessment purposes, and for school approval under Ed 306.24.
13. (m) Alternative programs which are supervised by a district level administrator shall be considered a separate school of the district for reporting and assessment purposes, and for school approval under Ed 306.24.

Source. (See Revision Notes #1, #2, #3, and #4 at part heading for Ed 306) #14150, eff 12-13-24