Section 392-700-042. Program operating agreements and OSPI approval.

(1) Districts, agencies, and colleges are encouraged to work together to design programs and collaborations that will best serve students. Many models of operation are authorized as part of the statewide dropout reengagement system.

(a) In each of these models, the necessary agreement(s) will address whether the program will only serve students who are residents of the district or whether the program will also serve students who are not residents of the district but who petition for release from the resident district, pursuant to RCW 28A.225.220 through 28A.225.230, in order to attend the program. If the resident district does not participate in an OSPI approved program, another district, agency, or college may petition a district other than the resident district to enroll the eligible students under RCW 28A.225.220 through 28A.225.230 with the petitioning entity to provide a program for the eligible students.

(b) Regardless of the model of operation, the state funding is allocated to the district or direct funded technical college that is reporting the student's enrollment for the program.

(2) A district may enter into one of the following models of operations through the OSPI approval process:

(a) Directly operate a program where the services are provided by the district resources; or

(b) Enter into a partnership with an agency or college that will provide the services through a defined scope of work or contracted services agreement; or

(c) Become part of a consortium with other districts, colleges, and/or agencies by executing a consortium agreement that is signed by all member districts.

(3) The purpose of the consortium will be to create and operate a program that will serve students enrolled in multiple districts and reduce the administrative burden on districts. If such a regional reengagement consortium is implemented, a consortium lead agency will be identified and assume the following responsibilities:

(a) Take the lead in organizing and managing the regional consortium;

(b) Provide information and technical assistance to districts interested in participating in the consortium and providing the opportunity for students from their district to enroll;

(c) Advance scopes of work with agencies and colleges to operate the programs;

(d) Provide oversight and technical assistance to the program to align with all requirements of this chapter and the delivery of quality programming;

(e) Assist the program with the preparation of required reports, enrollment data, and course records needed by each district to enroll students, award credit, and report FTE and performance to OSPI;

(f) Facilitate data entry of required student data into each district's statewide student information system related to enrollment; and

(g) Work with the districts to facilitate the provision of special education and accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

(4) A technical college receiving direct funding and authorized to enroll students under WAC 392-121-187 may directly operate a program and serve students referred from multiple districts. The technical college will assume the responsibilities of operating the program as described in this chapter and will meet all responsibilities outlined in WAC 392-121-187.

(5) All programs must be approved by OSPI as follows:

(a) If the program is run by a district, agency or college, the program must be approved.

(b) If the program is run by a consortium, both the program and participating districts must be approved.

(c) Any program which meets the definition of an online school program in RCW 28A.250.010 must be approved as an online provider, pursuant to RCW 28A.250.060(2).

(6) Dependent on the model of operations, OSPI will specify the necessary documentation required for approval.

(7) OSPI will provide model documents that can be modified to include district/college/agency specific language and will indicate which elements of these standard documents must be submitted to OSPI for review and approval.

(8) Upon initial approval, OSPI will specify the duration of the approval and indicate the necessary criteria to obtain reapproval.

(9) After receiving a notice of approval, OSPI will assign a code to be used when reporting students enrolled in the program.

(10) This chapter does not affect the authority of districts, under RCW 28A.150.305 and 28A.320.035, to contract for educational services other than reengagement programs as defined by WAC 392-700-015 (20).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.175.100. WSR 15-15-115, § 392-700-042, filed 7/16/15, effective 8/16/15; WSR 14-22-073, § 392-700-042, filed 11/3/14, effective 12/4/14; WSR 13-13-005, § 392-700-042, filed 6/6/13, effective 7/7/13.]

RCW 28A.175.100. WSR 15-15-115, § 392-700-042, filed 7/16/15, effective 8/16/15; WSR 14-22-073, § 392-700-042, filed 11/3/14, effective 12/4/14; WSR 13-13-005, § 392-700-042, filed 6/6/13, effective 7/7/13.

Rules

392-121-187,392-121-187,392-700-015,