The Alternative Learning Environment (ALE) is part of an intervention program designed to provide guidance counseling, and academic support to students who are experiencing emotional, social, or academic problems.

An ALE placement team, appointed by the superintendent, has the responsibility of determining student placement. Students may be enrolled in ALE only on the referral of the ALE placement team. Students who are placed in the ALE shall exhibit at least two of the following characteristics:

• Disruptive behavior;

• Dropping out from school;

• Personal or family problems or situations;

• Recurring absenteeism;

• For the purposes of the ALE, personal or family problems or situations are conditions that negatively affect the student’s academic and social progress. These may include, but are not limited to ongoing, persistent lack of attaining proficiency levels in literacy and mathematics; abuse: physical, mental, or sexual; frequent relocation of residency; homelessness; inadequate emotional support; mental/physical health problems; pregnancy; or single parenting.

No later than five school days after a student begins ALE interventions the ALE placement team will develop a signed agreement between the ALE, the parent or legal guardian (if they choose to participate), and the student, outlining the responsibility of the ALE, parent or legal guardian, and the student to provide assurance that the plan for each student is successful.

No later than one week after a student begins ALE interventions, the ALE placement team will assess the student’s current functioning abilities and all relevant social, emotional, academic, career, and behavioral information and develop a Student Action Plan (SAP) outlining the intervention services to be provided to the student that is in compliance with the Arkansas Department of Education rules. The SAP may be revised from time to time by the ALE placement team and a positive behavior or transitional plan shall be developed and added to the SAP prior to a student’s return to the regular educational environment. The district’s ALE program will follow class size, staffing, curriculum, and expenditure requirements identified in the ADE rules.

The current DeWitt ALE teacher is Mr. Hal Qualls. He may be reached at the high school at 1614 S. Grandview Drive, by phone at 870.946.4661, or by email hqualls@dewittdragons.net.