1. (1) The extended learning opportunities program is created for eligible ninth through twelfth grade students who are not on track to meet local or state graduation requirements as well as eighth grade students who need additional assistance in order to have the opportunity for a successful entry into high school. The program shall provide early notification of graduation status and information on education opportunities including preapprenticeship programs that are available.
2. (2) Under the extended learning opportunities program and to the extent funds are available for that purpose, districts shall make available to students in grade twelve who have failed to meet one or more local or state graduation requirements the option of continuing enrollment in the school district in accordance with RCW 28A.225.160. Districts are authorized to use basic education program funding to provide instruction to eligible students under RCW 28A.150.220(5).

3. (3) Under the extended learning opportunities program, instructional services for eligible students can occur during the regular school day, evenings, on weekends, or at a time and location deemed appropriate by the school district, including the educational service district, in order to meet the needs of these students. Instructional services provided under this section do not include services offered at private schools. Instructional services can include, but are not limited to, the following:

   1. (a) Individual or small group instruction;
   2. (b) Attendance in a public high school or public alternative school classes or at a skill center;
   3. (c) Inclusion in remediation programs, including summer school;
   4. (d) Language development instruction for English language learners;
   5. (e) Online curriculum and instructional support, including programs for credit retrieval and statewide student assessment preparatory classes; and
   6. (f) Reading improvement specialists available at the educational service districts to serve eighth through twelfth grade educators through professional development in accordance with RCW 28A.415.350. The reading improvement specialist may also provide direct services to eligible students and those students electing to continue a fifth year in a high school program who are still struggling with basic reading skills.

[ 2021 c 111 s 11; 2019 c 252 s 113; 2009 c 578 s 2; 2008 c 321 s 3.]

Notes:

Finding—Intent—Effective date—2021 c 111: See notes following RCW 28A.300.139.

Intent—2019 c 252: See note following RCW 28A.230.710.

Findings—2008 c 321: "The legislature finds that high school students need to graduate with the skills necessary to be successful in college and work. The state graduation requirements help to ensure that Washington high school graduates have the basic skills to be competitive in a global economy. Under education reform started in 1993, time was to be the variable, obtaining the skills was to be the constant. Therefore, students who need additional time to gain the academic skills needed for college and the workplace should have the opportunities they need to reach high academic achievement, even if that takes more than the standard four years of high school.

Different students face different challenges and barriers to their academic success. Some students struggle to meet the standard on a single portion of the Washington assessment of student learning while excelling in the other subject areas; other students struggle to complete the necessary state or local graduation credits; while still others have their knowledge tested on the assessments and have completed all the credit requirements but are struggling because English is not their first language. The legislature finds that many of these students need additional time and support to achieve academic proficiency and meet all graduation requirements." [ 2008 c 321 s 1.]