2108 - Learning Assistance Program

The district will implement a learning assistance program designed to enhance educational opportunities for students enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade who do not meeting academic standards by providing supplemental instruction and services to those students. “Students who are not meeting academic standards” means students with the greatest academic deficits in basic skills as identified by statewide, school, or district assessments or other performance measurement tools.

Washington Integrated Student supports Protocol

The district will budget and expend learning assistance program funds using the framework of the Washington integrated student support protocol, established under RCW 28A.300.139.

The district may use up to 15% of its learning assistance program allocation to deliver academic, nonacademic, and social-emotional supports and services to students through partnerships with community-based or other out-of-school organizations in accordance with RCW 28A.300.139.

If the district enters into an agreement with a community partner in accordance with RCW 28A.300.139, the agreement must do the following:

1. Specify that learning assistance program funds may be used only to provide direct supports and services to students; 
2. Clearly identify the academic, nonacademic, or social-emotional supports and services that will be made available to students by the community partner and how those supports and services align to the needs of the students as identified in the student-level needs assessment required by RCW 28A.300.139; and
3. Identify the in-school supports that will be reinforced by the supports and services provided by the community partner to promote student progress towards meeting academic standards.

Coordination with Other Programs

The district may coordinate federal, state, and local programs in order to serve the maximum number of students who are below grade level in basic skills. Students receiving assistance in another special needs program may also be served in a learning assistance program if they meet student eligibility and selection requirements.

Annual Report to OSPI

The district will submit an annual report on September 30th to the superintendent of public instruction detailing the following:

A.    The amount of academic growth gained by students participating in the learning assistance program;

B.    The number of students who gain at least one year of academic growth;

C.    The specific practices, activities, and programs used by each school building that received learning assistance funds; and

D.    The percentage of learning assistance program funding used to engage community partners, the number of students receiving direct supports and services from those community partners, and the types of supports and services that are being provided; and

E.     The number of students served by the learning assistance program during the school year who were able to exit the program because student academic growth resulted in meeting the academic standard for grade level.

Cross References: 

Board Policy 6100 - Revenues from Local, State and Federal Sources

Board Policy 4130 - Title I Parent and Family Engagement

Board Policy 2161 - Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students

Board Policy 2104 - Federal and/or State Funded Special Instructional Programs

Legal References: 

WAC 392-162 Special Service Program — Remediation Learning Assistance

RCW 28A.165 Special Service Program - Learning Assistance Program

SHB 1208, Chapter 111, Laws of 2021 Learning Assistance Program – Various Provisions

Management Resources: 

Policy News, June 2005 Learning Assistance Policy Updated

2018 - February Policy Issue

Adoption Date: May 16, 2005

Revised: February 5, 2020, February 1, 2023

 

 

Administrator Responsibilities: