Alternative Schools and Programs

Albuquerque Public Schools is dedicated to meeting the educational needs of all students and to that end provides an extensive instructional program at all middle and high schools, offers extended day and summer programs as well as a compliment of alternative programs for students who needs are not readily met at comprehensive secondary schools.

Access to the alternative schools and programs shall be established by each program under the direction and oversight of the appropriate associate superintendent.  The criteria for access to each alternative program shall be specific to the needs of the students who are the primary focus of the program/school. 

Documents describing each alternative school and program shall be maintained at the school site and in the office of the appropriate associate superintendent..

Under the direction of the superintendent or his/her designee an new alternative school or program may be established. 

Criteria for Developing an Alternative Program or School

Rationale

The school or program shall offer a defined program of instruction that is different from those available through the existing schools operated by Albuquerque Public Schools.

The instructional differences may be situational, curricular, assessment, or other as approved in the description establishing the school or program.

Standards

The instructional program shall meet state statutes and regulations and district policy, procedural directives and other requirements unless waivers of specific requirements have been granted.

Courses offered for credit at the alternative program or school shall follow the district approved curriculum for that course and use approved district course catalog coding for credit.

Teachers at the alternative program or school shall meet Albuquerque Public Schools and the New Mexico Public Education Department standards as highly qualified teachers for each course to which they are assigned.

Admission

The criteria and formal procedures for student/family eligibility for entry or acceptance into the program shall be defined. Every alternative school and program shall offer equal access to all students and/or families meeting the entry or acceptance criteria.

The criteria and formal procedures for a student/family to be removed from the program shall be defined.

Approval

The written proposal shall be presented to the appropriate associate superintendent who shall review and make a determination to recommend or not recommend to the alternative program or school for approval by the superintendent.

The superintendent shall either approve or disapprove the proposal for a new alternative program or school based on the information provided by the appropriate associate superintendent.

Under the superintendent’s direction, a presentation shall be made to the Board of Education about the alternative school or program, the timeline for the start of service and the appointment of the leadership for the school or program.

Alternative schools and programs designated as pilots shall have an evaluation at least annually designed for that status.

Administrative Position:                  Chief Academic Officer

Department Director:                        Executive Director of Instruction and Accountability

References:

Legal Cross Ref.:                           
Board Policy Cross Ref.:                IH – Instructional Program
                                                       JB – Equal Educational Outcomes

NSBA/NEPN Classification:   IHBH

Revised: May 1995
Revised: April 1996
Revised: May 1997
Reviewed: January, 8, 2013
Revised: January 10, 2013