72-3266. Alternative educational opportunities for course credit; policies of board of education; reports to state board.

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A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(a)A board of education of a school district may adopt a policy to allow students enrolled in grades six through 12 to earn course credits through alternative educational opportunities with sponsoring entities. A school district's policy adopted pursuant to this section shall provide:

(1)Eligibility requirements for sponsoring entities;

(2)requirements for the provision of alternative educational opportunities by sponsoring entities;

(3)the procedures for a sponsoring entity to submit a proposal to the school district to provide an additional educational opportunity to students;

(4)the criteria the school district will use to evaluate such proposals; and

(5)the course credit that may be earned through the alternative educational opportunity by a participating student.

(b)A school district may accept a proposal from a sponsoring entity if the alternative educational opportunity provided by the sponsoring entity:

(1)Provides an additional learning opportunity for students through a work-based, pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, internship, industry certification or community program; and

(A)is approved by the state board of education as an alternative educational opportunity pursuant to subsection (d); or

(B)complies with the school district policies adopted pursuant to subsection (a).

(c)Each approved alternative educational opportunity with a sponsoring entity shall be managed and directed by a licensed teacher employed by the school district.

(d)A sponsoring entity may petition the state board to approve an alternative educational opportunity that is provided through such sponsoring entity if the alternative educational opportunity provided through such sponsoring entity is generally applicable on a statewide or regional basis across multiple school districts. The state board of education shall approve or deny each petition proposing an alternative educational opportunity within 90 days of receipt of such proposal. If the state board denies the proposal, the state board shall provide the sponsoring entity the reasons for such denial. If the state board approves such proposal, any school district may implement the alternative educational opportunity. The state board may revoke any such approved proposal if the state board determines that the sponsoring entity fails to comply with the requirements of this section.

(e)Each school district shall report to the state department of education information regarding the school district's alternative educational opportunities offered at the school, the names of sponsoring entities, the number of students participating and credits earned.

(f)The state board of education may adopt rules and regulations for the administration of this section.

(g)As used in this section:

(1)"Alternative educational opportunity" means instruction that primarily occurs outside the classroom with a sponsoring entity.

(2)"Sponsoring entity" means a business, not-for-profit organization, nonprofit organization, trade association, parent of a student, teacher or administrator that partners with a school district to provide an alternative educational opportunity to students.

(h)This section shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.