Section 240.10  Purpose

This Subpart A establishes the requirements for approval of Alternative Learning Opportunities Programs established pursuant to Article 13B of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/Art. 13B] by school districts, either individually or as specified in subsection (b) of this Section.

a)         Alternative Learning Opportunities Programs shall broaden the range of academic, behavioral and social/emotional interventions that schools provide in order to increase the academic performance of students who are determined to be at risk of academic failure, as defined in Section 240.20 of this Part, so that those students can meet State standards (see 23 Ill. Adm. Code 1.Appendix D) and successfully complete their education.

b)         School districts may establish Alternative Learning Opportunities Programs or may contract with one or more entities specified in Section 13B-20.10 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/13B-20.10] to operate such programs.

1)         A school district may collaborate with two or more school districts or with one or more Regional Offices of Education, or both, or with Intermediate Service Centers to create and operate an Alternative Learning Opportunities Program.

2)         The school board of each school district operating a program jointly or under contract with eligible entities shall establish the local governance of the Alternative Learning Opportunities Program through a cooperative or intergovernmental agreement (see 105 ILCS 5/13B-35.5).

c)         A school district may provide instructional services through a subcontractor only if the entity providing those instructional services is recognized by the State Board of Education (see 105 ILCS 5/13B-75).  (See Section 240.30(a)(4) of this Part.)