(a) The State Board of Education shall establish and implement rules requiring all of the public schools and all private or nonpublic elementary and secondary schools located in this State, whenever any such school has a student who is transferring to any other public elementary or secondary school located in this or in any other state, to forward within 10 days of notice of the student's transfer an unofficial record of that student's grades to the school to which such student is transferring. Each public school at the same time also shall forward to the school to which the student is transferring the remainder of the student's school student records as required by the Illinois School Student Records Act [105 ILCS 10/1 et seq.]. In addition, if a student is transferring from a public school, whether located in this or any other state, from which the student has been suspended or expelled for knowingly possessing in a school building or on school grounds a weapon as defined in the Gun Free Schools Act [20 U.S.C.S. § 7151 et seq.], for knowingly possessing, selling, or delivering in a school building or on school grounds a controlled substance or cannabis, or for battering a staff member of the school, and if the period of suspension or expulsion has not expired at the time the student attempts to transfer into another public school in the same or any other school district: (i) any school student records required to be transferred shall include the date and duration of the period of suspension or expulsion; and (ii) with the exception of transfers into the Department of Juvenile Justice school district, the student shall not be permitted to attend class in the public school into which he or she is transferring until the student has served the entire period of the suspension or expulsion imposed by the school from which the student is transferring, provided that the school board may approve the placement of the student in an alternative school program established under Article 13A of this Code [105 ILCS 5/13A-0.5 et seq.]. A school district may adopt a policy providing that if a student is suspended or expelled for any reason from any public or private school in this or any other state, the student must complete the entire term of the suspension or expulsion before being admitted into the school district. This policy may allow placement of the student in an alternative school program established under Article 13A of this Code, if available, for the remainder of the suspension or expulsion. Each public school and each private or nonpublic elementary or secondary school in this State shall within 10 days after the student has paid all of his or her outstanding fines and fees and at its own expense forward an official transcript of the scholastic records of each student transferring from that school in strict accordance with the provisions of this Section and the rules established by the State Board of Education as herein provided.

To establish projects to offer modified instructional programs or other services designed to prevent students from dropping out of school, including programs pursuant to Section 2-3.41 [105 ILCS 5/2-3.41], and to serve as a part time or full time option in lieu of regular school attendance and to award grants to local school districts, educational service regions or community college districts from appropriated funds to assist districts in establishing such projects. The education agency may operate its own program or enter into a contract with another not-for-profit entity to implement the program. The projects shall allow dropouts, up to and including age 21, potential dropouts, including truants, uninvolved, unmotivated and disaffected students, as defined by State Board of Education rules and regulations, to enroll, as an alternative to regular school attendance, in an optional education program which may be established by school board policy and is in conformance with rules adopted by the State Board of Education. Truants' Alternative and Optional Education programs funded pursuant to this Section shall be planned by a student, the student's parents or legal guardians, unless the student is 18 years or older, and school officials and shall culminate in an individualized optional education plan. Such plan shall focus on academic or vocational skills, or both, and may include, but not be limited to, evening school, summer school, community college courses, adult education, preparation courses for high school equivalency testing, vocational training, work experience, programs to enhance self concept and parenting courses. School districts which are awarded grants pursuant to this Section shall be authorized to provide day care services to children of students who are eligible and desire to enroll in programs established and funded under this Section, but only if and to the extent that such day care is necessary to enable those eligible students to attend and participate in the programs and courses which are conducted pursuant to this Section. School districts and regional offices of education may claim general State aid under Section 18-8.05 [105 ILCS 5/18-8.05] or evidence-based funding under Section 18-8.15 [105 ILCS 5/18-8.15] for students enrolled in truants' alternative and optional education programs, provided that such students are receiving services that are supplemental to a program leading to a high school diploma and are otherwise eligible to be claimed for general State aid under Section 18-8.05 or evidence-based funding under Section 18-8.15, as applicable.

The State Board of Education, subject to appropriation, shall award grants to alternative schools, safe schools, and alternative learning opportunities programs operated by a regional office of education. For fiscal year 2018, to calculate grant amounts to the programs operated by regional offices of education, the State Board shall calculate an amount equal to the greater of the regional program's best 3 months of average daily attendance for the 2016-2017 school year or the average of the best 3 months of average daily attendance for the 2014-2015 school year through the 2016-2017 school year, multiplied by the amount of $6,119. For fiscal year 2019, to calculate grant amounts to the programs operated by regional offices of education, the State Board shall calculate an amount equal to the greater of the regional program's best 3 months of average daily attendance for the 2017-2018 school year or the average of the best 3 months of average daily attendance for the 2015-2016 school year through the 2017-2018 school year, multiplied by the amount of $6,119. These amounts shall be termed the "Regional Program Increased Enrollment Recognition". If the amount of the Regional Program Increased Enrollment Recognition is greater than the amount of the regional office of education program's Base Funding Minimum for fiscal year 2018 or fiscal year 2019, calculated under Section 18-8.15 [105 ILCS 5/18-8.15], then the State Board of Education shall pay the regional program a grant equal to the difference between the regional program's Regional Program Increased Enrollment Recognition and the Base Funding Minimum for fiscal year 2018 or fiscal year 2019, respectively. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to alter any payments or calculations under Section 18-8.15.

(a) To expel pupils guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct, including gross disobedience or misconduct perpetuated by electronic means, pursuant to subsection (b-20) of this Section, and no action shall lie against them for such expulsion. Expulsion shall take place only after the parents have been requested to appear at a meeting of the board, or with a hearing officer appointed by it, to discuss their child's behavior. Such request shall be made by registered or certified mail and shall state the time, place and purpose of the meeting. The board, or a hearing officer appointed by it, at such meeting shall state the reasons for dismissal and the date on which the expulsion is to become effective. If a hearing officer is appointed by the board, he shall report to the board a written summary of the evidence heard at the meeting and the board may take such action thereon as it finds appropriate. If the board acts to expel a pupil, the written expulsion decision shall detail the specific reasons why removing the pupil from the learning environment is in the best interest of the school. The expulsion decision shall also include a rationale as to the specific duration of the expulsion. An expelled pupil may be immediately transferred to an alternative program in the manner provided in Article 13A or 13B of this Code [105 ILCS 5/13A-0.5 et seq. or 105 ILCS 5/13B-1 et seq.]. A pupil must not be denied transfer because of the expulsion, except in cases in which such transfer is deemed to cause a threat to the safety of students or staff in the alternative program. [...]

Any suspension shall be reported immediately to the parents or guardians of a pupil along with a full statement of the reasons for such suspension and a notice of their right to a review. The school board must be given a summary of the notice, including the reason for the suspension and the suspension length. Upon request of the parents or guardians, the school board or a hearing officer appointed by it shall review such action of the superintendent or principal, assistant principal, or dean of students. At such review, the parents or guardians of the pupil may appear and discuss the suspension with the board or its hearing officer. If a hearing officer is appointed by the board, he shall report to the board a written summary of the evidence heard at the meeting. After its hearing or upon receipt of the written report of its hearing officer, the board may take such action as it finds appropriate. If a student is suspended pursuant to this subsection (b), the board shall, in the written suspension decision, detail the specific act of gross disobedience or misconduct resulting in the decision to suspend. The suspension decision shall also include a rationale as to the specific duration of the suspension. A pupil who is suspended in excess of 20 school days may be immediately transferred to an alternative program in the manner provided in Article 13A or 13B of this Code. A pupil must not be denied transfer because of the suspension, except in cases in which such transfer is deemed to cause a threat to the safety of students or staff in the alternative program. [...]

(g) A school district may adopt a policy providing that if a student is suspended or expelled for any reason from any public or private school in this or any other state, the student must complete the entire term of the suspension or expulsion in an alternative school program under Article 13A of this Code or an alternative learning opportunities program under Article 13B of this Code before being admitted into the school district if there is no threat to the safety of students or staff in the alternative program. A school district that adopts a policy under this subsection (g) must include a provision allowing for consideration of any mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, a student's status as a parent, expectant parent, or victim of domestic or sexual violence, as defined in Article 26A.

The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: [...]

(a) Except with respect to the Chicago public school system as provided in Section 13A-11 [105 ILCS 5/13A-11], beginning with the 1996-97 school year, there is hereby created in this State a system of alternative school education programs. At least one alternative school program may be located within each educational service region or established jointly by more than one regional office of education to serve more than one educational service region.

(b) Each regional superintendent shall hold a public hearing, by December 1 of the school year following the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1995, to determine the need for an alternative school. The hearing shall be held before the regional board. The regional superintendent, after consulting with the district superintendent of each school district located within the regional superintendent's educational service region and the regional board, shall determine the location and the need of the alternative school within that region. In making this determination, the regional superintendent shall consider the following:

(c) Upon determination of the need for establishment of an alternative school program, each school district located within the region shall provide the regional superintendent with a copy of the district's discipline policy and procedure for effecting the suspension or expulsion of the students of that district. Thereafter, the regional superintendent in cooperation with a representative from each school district in the region shall establish and each school district in the region shall adopt policies and procedures that shall guide each district in the identification and placement of students in the alternative school program.

(d) The regional superintendent shall locate the alternative school program so that it is as far away from any other school buildings or school grounds in that educational service region as circumstances permit.

(e) With the approval of the State board, additional alternative school programs may be established in an educational service region. If the regional superintendent determines that an additional alternative school is required in the regional superintendent's educational service region, he or she may petition the State board to authorize one or more additional alternative school programs in that region.

(f) In determining whether an additional alternative school program is necessary and appropriate for an educational service region requesting it, the State board shall consider, among other factors, the following:

(g) In the event the State board grants a petition for an additional alternative school program, then the State board, after consulting the regional superintendent, shall decide where the additional alternative school program shall be located within that region.

A student who is determined to be subject to suspension or expulsion in the manner provided by Section 10-22.6 [105 ILCS 5/10-22.6] (or, in the case of a student enrolled in the public schools of a school district organized under Article 34, in accordance with the uniform system of discipline established under Section 34-19 [105 ILCS 5/34-19]) may be immediately transferred to the alternative program. At the earliest time following that transfer appropriate personnel from the sending school district and appropriate personnel of the alternative program shall meet to develop an alternative education plan for the student. The student's parent or guardian shall be invited to this meeting. The student may be invited. The alternative educational plan shall include, but not be limited to all of the following:

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, if a student for whom an individualized educational program has been developed under Article 14 is transferred to an alternative school program under this Article 13A, that individualized educational program shall continue to apply to that student following the transfer unless modified in accordance with the provisions of Article 14.

(a) The regional superintendent shall implement, or contract with one or more school districts to implement, a multi-disciplinary curriculum, which may include work-based learning and community service work approved by the regional superintendent of schools in consultation with the State Board of Education for which academic credit is earned, for the alternative school program designed to address the individualized needs of the students of that program, with special emphasis toward making the educational experience of each student meaningful and worthwhile. In the design and implementation of that curriculum, the regional superintendent or school district shall give due consideration to the rules and regulations adopted by the State Board of Education for alternative schools and optional education programs. The regional superintendent or school district (i) may contract with third parties for any services otherwise performed by employees and (ii) may apply for waivers or modifications of mandates of this Code or of administrative rules as provided in Section 2-3.25g of this Code [105 ILCS 5/2-3.25g] and as are necessary for the alternative school program.

(b) An administratively transferred student who successfully completes the requirements for his or her high school graduation shall receive a diploma identifying the student as graduating from the transferring high school. In the event the student is administratively transferred before enrolling in a high school, then that student shall receive a diploma from the high school the student would have attended if the student had not attended an alternative school program.

(a) The regional superintendent shall administer, or contract with one or more school districts to administer, alternative school programs located within the educational service region. The regional superintendent or school district (i) may contract with third parties for any services otherwise performed by employees and (ii) may apply for waivers or modifications of mandates of this Code or of administrative rules as provided in Section 2-3.25g of this Code [105 ILCS 5/2-3.25g] and as are necessary for the alternative school program.

(b) The regional superintendent is responsible for the administrative and fiscal structure for the program.

(a) The State of Illinois shall provide funding for the alternative school programs within each educational service region and within the Chicago public school system by line item appropriation made to the State Board of Education for that purpose. This money, when appropriated, shall be provided to the regional superintendent and to the Chicago Board of Education, who shall establish a budget, including salaries, for their alternative school programs. Each program shall receive funding in the amount of $30,000 plus an amount based on the ratio of the region's or Chicago's best 3 months' average daily attendance in grades pre-kindergarten through 12 to the statewide totals of these amounts. For purposes of this calculation, the best 3 months' average daily attendance for each region or Chicago shall be calculated by adding to the best 3 months' average daily attendance the number of low-income students identified in the most recently available federal census multiplied by one-half times the percentage of the region's or Chicago's low-income students to the State's total low-income students. The State Board of Education shall retain up to 1.1% of the appropriation to be used to provide technical assistance, professional development, and evaluations for the programs.

(a-5) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, for the 1998-1999 fiscal year, the total amount distributed under subsection (a) for an alternative school program shall be not less than the total amount that was distributed under that subsection for that alternative school program for the 1997-1998 fiscal year. If an alternative school program is to receive a total distribution under subsection (a) for the 1998-1999 fiscal year that is less than the total distribution that the program received under that subsection for the 1997-1998 fiscal year, that alternative school program shall also receive, from a separate appropriation made for purposes of this subsection (a-5), a supplementary payment equal to the amount by which its total distribution under subsection (a) for the 1997-1998 fiscal year exceeds the amount of the total distribution that the alternative school program receives under that subsection for the 1998-1999 fiscal year. If the amount appropriated for supplementary payments to alternative school programs under this subsection (a-5) is insufficient for that purpose, those supplementary payments shall be prorated among the alternative school programs entitled to receive those supplementary payments according to the aggregate amount of the appropriation made for purposes of this subsection (a-5).

(b) An alternative school program shall be entitled to receive general State aid as calculated in subsection (K) of Section 18-8.05 [105 ILCS 5/18-8.05] or evidence-based funding as calculated in subsection (g) of Section 18-8.15 [105 ILCS 5/18-8.15] upon filing a claim as provided therein. Any time that a student who is enrolled in an alternative school program spends in work-based learning, community service, or a similar alternative educational setting shall be included in determining the student's minimum number of clock hours of daily school work that constitute a day of attendance for purposes of calculating general State aid or evidence-based funding.

(c) An alternative school program may receive additional funding from its school districts in such amount as may be agreed upon by the parties and necessary to support the program. In addition, an alternative school program is authorized to accept and expend gifts, legacies, and grants, including but not limited to federal grants, from any source for purposes directly related to the conduct and operation of the program.

The purpose of this Article is to specify the requirements for the operation of alternative learning opportunities programs, which are intended to provide students at risk of academic failure with the education and support services needed to meet Illinois Learning Standards and to complete their education in an orderly, safe, and secure learning environment. Services provided under this Article should be provided in a manner that addresses individual learning styles, career development, and social needs to enable students to successfully complete their education.

"Student Success Plan" means a plan based on an assessment of a student's educational and social functioning and skills and that establishes goals and objectives for satisfactory performance in an alternative learning opportunities program. The Plan must (i) specify the curriculum and instructional methods to be used in improving the student's educational performance, (ii) outline the support services needed to remove barriers to learning, (iii) specify, when appropriate, the career development experiences the student will receive to enhance his or her career awareness, (iv) set objectives to ensure a successful transition back to the regular school program or to post-secondary educational options, and (v) outline the student's responsibilities under the Plan.

An alternative learning opportunities program shall provide a flexible standards-based learning environment, innovative and varied instructional strategies, a student-centered curriculum, social programs, and supplemental social, health, and support services to improve the educational achievement of students at risk of academic failure.

Alternative learning opportunities programs may include without limitation evening high school, in-school tutoring and mentoring programs, in-school suspension programs, high school completion programs to assist high school dropouts in completing their education, support services, parental involvement programs, and programs to develop, enhance, or extend the transition for students transferring back to the regular school program, an adult education program, or a post-secondary education program.

School districts may establish alternative learning opportunities programs or may contract with regional offices of education, intermediate service centers, public community colleges, non-profit or for-profit education providers, youth service agencies, community-based organizations, or other appropriate entities to establish alternative learning opportunities programs within the public school system and provide a range of alternative learning opportunities for those students in the State who do not meet Illinois Learning Standards. Districts may individually operate alternative learning opportunities programs or may collaborate with 2 or more districts or one or more regional offices of education or both or with intermediate service centers to create and operate alternative learning opportunities programs.

School districts may contract with health, mental health, or human service organizations, workforce development boards or agencies, juvenile court services, juvenile justice agencies, juvenile detention programs, programs operated by the Department of Juvenile Justice, or other appropriate agencies or organizations to serve students whose needs are not being met in the regular school program by providing alternative learning opportunities.

High school equivalency testing preparation programs are not eligible for funding under this Article. A student may enroll in a program approved under Section 18-8.05 or 18-8.15 of this Code [105 ILCS 5/18-8.05 or 105 ILCS 5/18-8.15], as appropriate, or attend both the alternative learning opportunities program and the regular school program to enhance student performance and facilitate on-time graduation.

Students in grades 4 through 12 who meet enrollment criteria established by the school district and who meet the definition of "student at risk of academic failure" are eligible to participate in an alternative learning opportunities program funded under this Article. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, enrollment in a charter alternative learning opportunities program shall be open to any pupil who has been expelled or suspended for more than 20 days under Section 10-22.6 or 34-19 of this Code [105 ILCS 5/10-22.6 or 105 ILCS 5/34-19]. All rights granted under this Article to a student's parent or guardian become exclusively those of the student upon the student's 18th birthday.

A school district must consider offering an alternative learning opportunities program on-site in the regular school. An alternative learning opportunities program may be provided at facilities separate from the regular school or in classrooms elsewhere on school premises.

The criteria set forth in the following Sections preceding Section 13B-30 of this Code [105 ILCS 5/13B-30] shall determine the eligibility of an alternative learning opportunities program for funding.

To be eligible for funding, an alternative learning opportunities program must provide evidence of an administrative structure, program activities, program staff, a budget, and a specific curriculum that is consistent with Illinois Learning Standards but may be different from the regular school program in terms of location, length of school day, program sequence, pace, instructional activities, or any combination of these.

Before receiving State funds for an alternative learning opportunities program, a school district must adopt policies and guidelines for the admission and transfer of students to the program and for transitioning students as appropriate back to the regular school program in a manner consistent with guidelines provided by the State Board. A school district must adopt policies and procedures for the establishment of a new alternative learning opportunities program or for securing State approval for an existing program. Any district that plans to establish an alternative learning opportunities program must notify the State Superintendent of Education before enrolling students in the program.

To apply for funding to establish or maintain an alternative learning opportunities program, a school district must initiate a planning process to specify the type of program needed by the district. Before submission of the district plan, the school district or consortium may apply for a one-year planning grant. The planning process may involve key education and community stakeholders, such as teachers, administrators, parents, interested members of the community, and other agencies or organizations as appropriate.

The district plan must be consistent with the school district's overall mission and goals and aligned with the local school improvement plans of each participating school. The district plan must include all of the following:

Subject to the availability of State funds, the State Board is authorized to assist school districts in developing and implementing alternative learning opportunities programs to meet the educational needs of students at risk of academic failure. The State Board shall develop research-based guidelines for alternative learning opportunities programs, provide technical assistance to ensure the establishment of quality programs aligned with Illinois Learning Standards, and contract for services to conduct an annual statewide evaluation. The State Board shall conduct compliance visits of and monitor programs, as appropriate. The State Board may conduct other program-related research and planning projects, as appropriate, to enhance student outcomes.

The State Board is responsible for ensuring that all alternative learning opportunities programs are in compliance with all applicable federal and State laws, unless otherwise specified in this Article.

The General Assembly finds and declares the following:

Before being enrolled in an alternative learning opportunities program, the student and each of his or her parents or guardians shall receive written notice to attend a conference to determine if the student would benefit from attending an alternative learning opportunities program. The conference must provide all of the information necessary for the student and parent or guardian to make an informed decision regarding enrollment in an alternative learning opportunities program. The conference shall include a discussion of the extent to which the student, if enrolled in the program, may participate in school activities. No student shall be enrolled in an alternative learning opportunities program without the consent of the student's parent or guardian.

If a student is a chronic or habitual truant as defined in Section 26-2a of this Code [105 ILCS 5/26-2a] or if a child has been ordered to attend school, the school district may consider the student for placement in an alternative learning opportunities program specifically designed to prevent truancy, supplement instruction for students with attendance problems, intervene to decrease chronic truancy, and provide alternatives to high school completion. A program operating pursuant to the truants' alternative and optional education program may contract with a school district or consortium to provide these services.

The petition for court action shall include the name of the truant minor, the names and addresses of persons having custody or control of the student, the dates of the truant behavior, the dates and nature of contacts or conferences with the student and the persons having custody or control of the student, and the nature of the supportive services, alternative programs and other school resources the school district provided to that child in an effort to correct that child's truant behavior.

(a) The General Assembly finds that it is critical to provide options for children to succeed in school. The purpose of this Section is to provide incentives for and encourage all Illinois students who have experienced or are experiencing difficulty in the traditional education system to enroll in alternative programs.

The board shall, subject to the limitations in this Article, establish by-laws, rules and regulations, which shall have the force of ordinances, for the proper maintenance of a uniform system of discipline for both employees and pupils, and for the entire management of the schools, and may fix the school age of pupils, the minimum of which in kindergartens shall not be under 4 years, except that, based upon an assessment of the child's readiness, children who have attended a non-public preschool and continued their education at that school through kindergarten, were taught in kindergarten by an appropriately certified teacher, and will attain the age of 6 years on or before December 31 of the year of the 2009-2010 school term and each school term thereafter may attend first grade upon commencement of such term, and in grade schools shall not be under 6 years. It may expel, suspend or, subject to the limitations of all policies established or adopted under Section 10-22.6 or 14-8.05 [105 ILCS 5/10-22.6 or 105 ILCS 5/14-8.05], otherwise discipline any pupil found guilty of gross disobedience, misconduct, or other violation of the by-laws, rules, and regulations, including gross disobedience or misconduct perpetuated by electronic means. An expelled pupil may be immediately transferred to an alternative program in the manner provided in Article 13A or 13B of this Code [105 ILCS 5/13A-0.5 or 105 ILCS 5/13B-1]. A pupil must not be denied transfer because of the expulsion, except in cases in which such transfer is deemed to cause a threat to the safety of students or staff in the alternative program. A pupil who is suspended in excess of 20 school days may be immediately transferred to an alternative program in the manner provided in Article 13A or 13B of this Code. A pupil must not be denied transfer because of the suspension, except in cases in which such transfer is deemed to cause a threat to the safety of students or staff in the alternative program. The bylaws, rules and regulations of the board shall be enacted, money shall be appropriated or expended, salaries shall be fixed or changed, and textbooks, electronic textbooks, and courses of instruction shall be adopted or changed only at the regular meetings of the board and by a vote of a majority of the full membership of the board; provided that notwithstanding any other provision of this Article or the School Code, neither the board or any local school council may purchase any textbook for use in any public school of the district from any textbook publisher that fails to furnish any computer diskettes as required under Section 28-21 [105 ILCS 5/28-21]. Funds appropriated for textbook purchases must be available for electronic textbook purchases and the technological equipment necessary to gain access to and use electronic textbooks at the local school council's discretion. The board shall be further encouraged to provide opportunities for public hearing and testimony before the adoption of bylaws, rules and regulations. Upon all propositions requiring for their adoption at least a majority of all the members of the board the yeas and nays shall be taken and reported. The by-laws, rules and regulations of the board shall not be repealed, amended or added to, except by a vote of 2/3 of the full membership of the board. The board shall keep a record of all its proceedings. Such records and all by-laws, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, may be proved by a copy thereof certified to be such by the secretary of the board, but if they are printed in book or pamphlet form which are purported to be published by authority of the board they need not be otherwise published and the book or pamphlet shall be received as evidence, without further proof, of the records, by-laws, rules and regulations, or any part thereof, as of the dates thereof as shown in such book or pamphlet, in all courts and places where judicial proceedings are had.

a) This Part establishes the procedure and criteria for approval of applications, submitted by eligible applicants to the State Board of Education, for grants to assist the applicants in establishing truants' alternative and optional education programs as authorized in Section 2-3.66 of the School Code. [105 ILCS 5/2-3.66]

b) Programs funded under this grant shall serve students identified as one of the following:

a) Proposals for grant awards under Section 2-3.66 of the School Code may be submitted only by public school districts, regional offices of education, public university laboratory schools approved by the State Board of Education pursuant to Section 18-8.05(K) of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/18-8.05(K)], charter schools, community college districts, or area vocational centers.

b) Joint applications for funds may be submitted. If a joint application is submitted, then an administrative agent shall be designated.

Each program funded pursuant to Section 2-3.66 of the School Code shall include at least the following components.

The State Superintendent of Education shall determine the amount of individual grant awards on the basis of the following criteria. The final award amounts will be based on these criteria following negotiation with the grant recipient:

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.

Students in grades 4 through 12 who meet enrollment criteria established by the school district and who meet the definition of "at risk of academic failure" are eligible to participate in an Alternative Learning Opportunities Program [105 ILCS 5/13B-20.25] approved under this Part.

a) It shall be the goal of the Alternative Learning Opportunities Program (ALOP) to assist students in successfully completing their education, including, but not limited to, returning to the regular school program, or to a postsecondary or adult education program, as soon as appropriate. In establishing procedures for the transition of students to the regular or another program, districts shall ensure that:

b) The requirements of subsection (a) of this Section apply in instances where a student is removed from the ALOP by his or her parent or guardian before completion of the objectives stated in his or her Student Success Plan.