Defined in the broadest sense, alternative education involves learning experiences that offer educational choices which meet the needs of students with varying interests and abilities. Alternative education offers choices in terms of time, location, staffing, and programs.
Alternative education programs must be designed to help students acquire the knowledge and develop the skills and attitudes reflected in the goals of education for Virginia's public schools. Alternative education programs already exist in many schools in the state. Among them are programs for the handicapped, for gifted and talented students, and for students enrolled in vocational education classes; however, alternative education, in the broadest sense, is not limited to these programs.
The courses offered shall be approved by the local school board in accordance with regulations of the Board of Education.
If regular high school credit is awarded to students in the alternative programs, regulations of the Board of Education shall be applicable.
Instructional personnel used in alternative programs shall be certified if any portion of their salaries is derived from public funds.
8 Va. Admin. Code § 20-330-10
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16 and 22.1-17 of the Code of Virginia.