Source: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/purdon's_statutes/7503/alternative_education_for_disruptive_youth/507342
Timestamp: 2014-11-26 17:34:02
Document Index: 216131440

Matched Legal Cases: ['§19', '§19', '§13', '§11', '§403', '§19']

INTRODUCTION 24 P.S. §19-1901C, also known as Act 30 of 1997, gives authority to the Pennsylvania Department of Education to approve Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth (AEDY) programs and to provide grants for these programs. AEDY programs may be implemented by a school district, an area vocational-technical school, a combination of school districts, an intermediate unit, or, according to a 2008 amendment to 24 P.S. §19-1901-C, a qualifying charter school. Charter schools must meet the following criteria to qualify for funding to operate an AEDY program: 1. Their central mission is to provide an alternative education program within or to a chartering school district or school districts. 2. The charter school has a written letter of support from its chartering school district.¹ School districts where these facilities are located are responsible for providing regular and special education services as described in 24 P.S. §13-1306. AEDY programs serve the purpose of temporarily removing persistently disruptive students from regular school programs. AEDY programs must provide students with a sound educational course of study that meets or exceeds state standards as mandated by 22 Pa Code Chapter 4 and allows students to make normal academic progress toward graduation in their home district. AEDY programs must also provide behavioral supports and counseling aimed at modifying the disruptive behavior that led to the transfer. AEDY programs may operate outside the hours of the normal school day and on Saturdays. School districts that do not apply for and receive approval from PDE to operate an AEDY program must provide basic and special education programs for all students in conformity with all requirements of the School Code and the Pennsylvania Board of Education Regulations, including days, hours, curricula and teacher certification requirements. Any alternative program not approved by PDE must adhere to the same requirements as a regular education setting, including at least 900 instructional hours per year for 6th grade and at least 990 instructional hours per year for 7-12th grade (22 Pa. Code §11.3); and “highly qualified” teacher requirements (22 Pa. Code §403.4). Eligible applicants must apply for AEDY program approval as prescribed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. PDE may revise guidelines for program approval and grant funding on an annual basis. Before applying, eligible applicants should review the most current AEDY Program Guidelines at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/laws%2C_guidelines___applications/7322Private Alternative Education Institutions (private providers) must seek approval on a renewal basis every 3 years as required by 24 P.S. §19-1903-E. PDE approval allows private providers to enter into contractual agreements with eligible public school entities to provide AEDY services. PDE approval does not provide or imply any licensure or accreditation for any private provider entity. Private provider applications are found at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/alternative_education_for_disruptive_youth_(aedy)/7318/private_provider/1367803
DATE/TIME:Nov 26, 2014 12:34:02 PM