Memo Text
The Division of
Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) "Rules Governing the
Distribution of Student Special Needs Funding and the Determination of
Allowable Expenditures of those Funds" requires Arkansas school districts
to provide one (1) or more alternative learning environments for eligible
students.
On or before March 31,
2023, select districts must complete and submit a program description for
approval. Those districts include:
- all
districts in cohort 1 (see attached cohort list),
- districts
proposing significant changes to an existing ALE program, and
- districts
establishing a new ALE program.
The 2023-2024 ALE
Program Description Submission Form is attached. The ALE Program
Description Form Rubric can be found at the DESE Alternative Education website.
Programs approved during the current submission cycle (cohort 1) will receive a
three-year approval and will resubmit in the spring of 2026. Districts
outside cohort 1 submitting to establish a new program or those submitting for
a significant change to an existing program will remain within the district's
predetermined cohort. District cohort assignments are included as an
attachment.
Please email the
completed 2023-2024 ALE Program Description Form to the Office of Alternative
Education at ade.ale@ade.arkansas.gov.