Learning Alternatives

The state offers several innovative, personalized, and flexible learning opportunities in K–12 public education.

Alternative Learning Experience

Rules, guidance, and supports for learning outside a traditional classroom.

Continuous Learning

Continuous Learning is a framework for the delivery of the program of basic education that allows students to access their instruction and services through synchronous online instruction.

Graduation, Reality And Dual-Role Skills (GRADS)

Graduation, Reality And Dual-role Skills (GRADS) is a program for pregnant teens and/or young parents that focus on work and family foundation skills of significance to these students. GRADS programs include student demonstration of skills leading to high school graduation and economic independence.

Highly Capable

The Highly Capable Program (HCP) supports LEAs to provide instruction, activities and services that accelerate learning for young learners identified as Highly Capable. To be eligible for identification, students must be enrolled in a school district, charter school, or Tribal Compact School.

Home-Based Instruction

Washington state law recognizes the desire of some parents to seek a home-based instruction for their children. OSPI offers technical assistance to school districts that are working with parents seeking to exercise this educational right.

Home/Hospital Instruction

Home/Hospital instruction is provided to students who are temporarily unable to attend school for an estimated period of four weeks or more because of a physical and/or mental disability or illness. The program does not provide tutoring to students caring for an infant or a relative who is ill.

International Education - Student Exchange

OSPI does not have the legal authority to sponsor or coordinate student exchanges and does not support any specific programs for student exchange. However, we do believe that student exchange can be an enriching experience for individual students and their families, as well as schools and districts.

Online Learning

Online learning governs instruction that takes place primarily through the computer. Each school district has their own online learning policy and practice. The district policy will dictate if and how they provide online learning opportunities.

Open Doors Youth Reengagement

Open Doors programs are designed to reengage older youth, ages 16-21, who have dropped out of school or are not expected to graduate from high school by the age of 21.

Private Schools

The Washington State Board of Education oversees private schools.