Alternative Learning Pathway (fka Option II)

Alternative Learning Pathway (formerly known as Option II) provides students with the opportunity to earn credits in a more personalized and independent manner, rather than the traditional “in-the-seat” course enrollment option. Alternative Learning Pathway offers alternative paths to credits that meet or exceed the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and are based on student interest or career goals. Students may elect to apply for HCRHS credit or advancement of a course level through interdisciplinary or theme-based programs, self-directed learning, distance learning, accredited college coursework, concurrent enrollment at colleges, universities, trade schools or certificate programs, internships, service learning, co-curricular or extra-curricular programs, and/or other structured learning experiences. Alternative Learning Pathway allows for the design and implementation of programs to meet the needs of all students.

Participation in HCRHS Alternative Learning Pathway is predicated on the application process through which students seek approval. All learning opportunities as allowed by Alternative Learning Pathway must be pre-approved by the counselor, academic area supervisor, the Supervisor of Counseling, the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, and the Principal, under N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1(a) 1.II. Several stipulations exist for students wishing to complete high school course work in an academic setting other than HCRHS. Please see below for Alternative Learning Pathway procedures and deadlines.

HCRHS has identified Alternative Learning Pathway opportunities for students that are pre-approved for alignment to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. These courses are listed below. Please note that students must still follow the Alternative Learning Pathway application and approval procedures.

Click on the link to view a video on Specialized Curricular Programs at Hunterdon Central, including Alternative Learning Pathway:

Student Assistant Program

#A10 – Student Assistant – Counseling Services or Vice Principal - 1.25 CREDITS/Semester

#T10 – Student Assistant – Central Hub Intern - 1.25 CREDITS/Semester

#M10 – Student Assistant – Media Center - 1.25 CREDITS/Semester

Students with an interest in learning the functions of a specific HCRHS department can apply to become a Student Assistant or Technology Intern. This is an alternate educational program which permits students to engage in volunteer work for academic credit. Grading is on a pass-fail basis. The program will help HCRHS students acquire employability and interpersonal workplace skills. Students approved to be a “Student Assistant” will be available to assist with any school related task that does not involve confidential records or information. They will perform a variety of general and specific office and support functions of a responsible nature centering on activities of their assigned department. Responsibilities are frequently public in nature and the Student Assistant will learn interpersonal skills, and be able to interact with staff, public, and external constituents in a prompt and professional manner. Interested students can apply to become a student assistant only in lieu of taking a study hall. Students can become departmental assistants only with the written permission of a counselor and the administrator in charge.

Peer Mentor

#S10 - PEER MENTOR - 2.5 CREDITS/Semester

Grades: 10-12

The Peer Mentor course offers students the opportunity to serve as peer supports for students with disabilities by serving as mentors in unit lunch, activity clubs, extra curricular activities and, where possible, common academic or elective courses. Students will learn about various disabilities, adaptations, accommodations and modifications for both physical and intellectual disabilities as well as barrier free environments. The course goal is to enhance the participation of students with and without disabilities as friends and members of the school community, to diminish stereotypes and negative perceptions of disabilities and to encourage opportunities for students with disabilities to interact with non-disabled peers. This course may be repeated.

Alternative Learning Pathway Information

Accredited Institution Courses

Alternative Learning Pathway Approval Process

The student works with their counselor to complete the necessary forms and includes course descriptions and syllabus, when applicable. The directions to submit an online application can be obtained from the school counselor.
The counselor reviews the online application with student and, if all is in order, forwards the application to the supervisor.
The content area supervisor examines the application, based on the student’s rationale and the criteria outlined in the instructions. Once approved by the supervisor, the application is forwarded to the Supervisor of Counseling and Director of Curriculum and Instruction.The application is then forwarded to the Principal for final approval.
Upon final approval, the student and parent/guardian will receive an email advising them of the decision. A student may appeal the decision by providing a thorough explanation to his/her counselor. The counselor will review and share the explanation with the Supervisor of Counseling and the academic supervisor. The Director of Curriculum and Instruction will have the final approval. The student will be contacted after all parties review and a decision is made.
If approved, the student completes the work during the time specified in the timeline listed in the chart. Please note that some courses require additional assessments. One example is Capstone for World History courses.
If students are required to complete a final assessment, the student will be notified prior to the final assessment testing date and must confirm that they can attend the testing date (see chart for testing dates). Students must make certain they are available for final testing date prior to submitting Alternative Learning Pathway for approval.
Finally, the student provides the supervisor with the proof of experience by the dates indicated.

Alternative Learning Pathway Procedures

Courses Must be Pre-Approved:

A completed Alternative Learning Pathway approval application must be submitted, along with syllabus/curriculum to HCRHS. The student must have received approval prior to the first instructional meeting of the course. Late application forms will not be accepted.

Deadlines:
If the deadline falls on a weekend, school holiday or snow day the deadline will be moved to the next scheduled school day. There are no extensions for coursework end dates for course transcript/verification dates.

For course work in:	Application due date:	Coursework end date:	Course transcript/ verification due date:
Summer	June 1	August 15	August 30
Summer Institute	June 15	August 15	August 30
Fall	August 15	January 15	January 30
Spring	January 15	June 15	June 30

Course Completion:
It is expected that each Alternative Learning Pathway opportunity will be completed during the time specified. Deadlines are firm. If a student does not complete the course before the deadline, a grade of an “F” will be reported on the transcript.

Alternative Learning Pathway Courses Must be from an Accredited Institution:
The accreditation must be from a United States Department of Education recognized national, regional, specialized and/or professional accrediting organization. For distance learning, the accreditation must be from a United States Department of Education recognized national, regional, specialized, and/or professional accrediting organization.**Advanced Placement courses must be approved via an AP Audit conducted by the College Board.

Alternative Learning Pathway Courses Must Meet NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards:
Learning opportunities based upon specified instructional objectives must meet or exceed the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and be certified by the Principal. Core curriculum content standards may be accessed on the New Jersey Student Learning Standards Webpage.

Students Must Show Minimum Proficiency to Earn HCRHS Credit:
A student must earn a minimum grade of 65% in any Alternative Learning Pathway course and show proficiency on the designated HCRHS assessment with a minimum grade of 65% to earn HCRHS credit. If credit is awarded through the Alternative Learning Pathway, the student may not enroll in the equivalent HCRHS course. HCRHS must receive an official transcript clearly showing successful completion of the course work. Final credits and a transcript grade will be awarded based on the number of instructional hours per week.

Students can apply for a maximum of five credits per academic year (July 1- June 30). Note: Several Alternative Learning Pathway programs consist of 2 parts and may require a student to take two (2.5 credit) online courses to meet the full 5.0 credit requirement. Example: Hunterdon Central Algebra 2 requires a student to complete two University of Nebraska courses.

In addition, students are limited to a maximum of 5 credits per subject area/graduation requirement throughout their entire high school career.

The Following Requirements Apply to All Alternative Learning Pathway Coursework:

Course extensions will not be granted.
Successful completion of an Alternative Learning Pathway course is only awarded if the student passes both the course and the HCRHS Equivalent Assessment (if an assessment is stipulated).
Passing an Alternative Learning Pathway course does not guarantee that a student is well equipped to pass the equivalent District course assessment. Please be familiar with the HCRHS curriculum of the content equivalent course and recognize, based on recent statistics, that not all students pass the District final exam.
Students should appropriately pace themselves to complete Alternative Learning Pathway courses, in order to sit for any necessary HCRHS assessments, earn appropriate credits, complete graduation requirements and make needed schedule changes.
Students may take a higher level Alternative Learning Pathway course, provided they met the criteria for that level course during the regular academic school year. For example, if a student qualified for an Honors course, by way of their semester one course average or through the review process during the regular academic year, they may take an Honors level Alternative Learning Pathway course in the summer.
Reminder- Alternative Learning Pathway courses are not calculated into the GPA, nor do they have any weighting.
Alternative Learning Pathway coursework cannot begin until a student has successfully completed 8th grade.
Successful completion of an Option II course does not guarantee placement.
Passing an Alternative Learning Pathway course, as well as the HCRHS final exam in that course, does not guarantee that a seat will be available in the next course. It is possible for an Alternative Learning Pathway student not to have a seat in the next sequential course, due to master schedule limitations.
Alternative Learning Pathway courses cannot be retaken. If a student fails an Alternative Learning Pathway course or a HCRHS assessment, they cannot retake the course or a like course via Alternative Learning Pathway. They may, however, take a similar course offered by the District.
NCAA Eligibility Rules have changed with regard to software-based credit recovery, virtual, online, independent study and correspondence courses, effective August 2010. These types of courses, which are identified by the NCAA Eligibility Center as non-traditional courses, must meet new guidelines in order to be used for college-bound student athletes who are planning to attend an NCAA Division I college or university. The rule change was enacted to ensure that acceptable non-traditional courses provide opportunities for students to demonstrate that their work was completed in a manner consistent with the intent and design of the core-course curriculum requirements. This legislation will allow the NCAA Eligibility Center to determine which courses and institutions are acceptable to satisfy initial-eligibility standards, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that prospective student athletes are enrolled in quality courses that satisfy the intent of the core-curriculum requirements and prepare prospective student athlete for college academic work.

NOTE: ALL COURSES MUST BE APPROVED BY NCAA. ALL INSTITUTIONS MUST BE APPROVED BY NCAA.

The Following Subject Area Requirements Apply to All Alternative learning Pathway Coursework:

World Language courses must include a regularly scheduled speaking component.
Science courses must include a regularly scheduled laboratory component. Only site-based distance learning courses will be approved for lab sciences.
Language Arts courses must include a regularly scheduled writing component.
Art/Music Courses must include the creation of a portfolio, including multiple works of art / music.

All non-traditional courses (e.g. online) must include ongoing access between the instructor and student, as well as regular interaction for purposes of teaching, evaluating and providing assistance. This may include, for example, exchanging of emails between the student and teacher, online chats, phone calls, feedback on assignments and the opportunity for the teacher to engage the student in individual instruction.

Responsibility

As a student and his/her parents engage in discussion about Alternative Learning Pathway, there should be conversations about the number of Alternative Learning Pathway courses and studies a student should take, and the additional academic responsibilities that a student will feel as a result of these decisions. Students are limited to one Alternative Learning Pathway experience per school year.

Proctors for Online Courses

Many “online” high schools require that the applicant identify a proctor who agrees to supervise examinations and is responsible for maintaining a secure testing environment. If a proctor is required, then the following may apply:

Prior to completing the Alternative Learning Pathway application, the student must secure a proctor.
The student can contact the supervisor for a proctor recommendation.
A student must receive the teacher-proctor’s permission before designating him/her as the proctor and enter the name on the online application.
A proctor must be a certified teacher or education professional.
Note: The proctor may be required to complete a proctor certification form online and agree to HCRHS policies and procedures.

Assessment

In addition to passing the course, the student will also need to pass the HCHS final exam/assessment and achieve the mastery score established by the department supervisor.

Upon registration, students will be notified of the testing time and location.
Students will need a photo ID and two No. 2 pencils.
A graphing calculator will be needed for math and science exams.
Most final exams run 90 minutes with science exams taking up to 2 hours including lab setup.
You will be notified of the testing results by the appropriate academic supervisor as soon as possible.
Counselors will complete schedules changes if and when necessary, and the parent and student will be contacted when schedule changes are completed. The final transcript must be received before changes are completed.

Proof of Experience / Grading

Student must provide the final transcript. Final transcript must be provided to Hunterdon Central no later than two week from the completion of the course.

Grade is recorded as a Pass/ Fail.
Course and grade are listed on student’s transcript.
Credits are counted toward graduation requirements ( 3-college credit course = 5 credit high school course).
Grade is not included in the GPA.
Students will not receive Honors or AP weight for any courses taken outside of HCRHS.
All fees and any necessary transportation arrangements are the responsibility of the student and his/her family.

Exiting Alternative Learning Pathway

When the Alternative Learning Pathway coursework is completed, the student works with the counselor to mark the course as completed. The student will provide a transcript to the supervisors before the deadline listed on this webpage. When the supervisor forwards notice of completion to Counseling Services, the grade will be inputted onto the student’s HCRHS transcript.

Location

Logo Title

In This Section