Alabama Extended Learning Opportunities Act

In 2021, the Alabama Legislature passed the “Extended Learning Opportunities Act.” According to the Act, an extended learning opportunity (“ELO”) is: [a]n out-of-classroom learning experience, approved by the State Board of Education, a local board of education, or a public charter school, which provides a student with any of the following:
a. Enrichment opportunities.
b. Career readiness or employability skills opportunities, including internships, pre-apprenticeships, and apprenticeships.
c. Any other approved educational opportunity. 

The Act requires the State Board of Education and each local board to “routinely inform students and their parents of the ability to earn credit for participating in extended learning opportunities” and authorizes employees of both the State Department and local boards to assist students in completing any enrollment processes required for participating in approved ELOs. The Act also declared that an entity approved to offer an ELO by the State Board is “automatically qualified to offer that extended learning opportunity for all local boards of education and public charter schools in the state.” 

The Act declares that an ELO will count as elective credit towards graduation requirements and the achievement of state standards once approved by the State Board or local board. Participating students must submit written request for credit and proof of successful completion of the ELO to his designated school administrator. 

The Act further dictates that a student who successfully completes an approved ELO, and satisfies criteria established for the award of a certificate of completion and credit shall be considered to have completed all the required coursework for the particular course. Furthermore, if an approved ELO satisfies all required coursework for a high school course, the student shall also be considered to have satisfied the equivalent number of credits toward his graduation requirements. 

The Act called for the State Board of Education to adopt an ELO policy that included the following:
• An application process for accepting and approving ELOs offered for credit by outside entities;
• A list of entities that are eligible to submit applications for offering ELOs;
• A process for students to follow for requesting credit;
• Criteria the local board or charter school shall use to determine whether a proposed ELO shall be approved to count toward credit; and
• Criteria the local board or charter school shall use to award a student a certificate of completion and credit for completing an approved ELO. 

The Act requires the policy must be implemented and distributed by each local board to parents and guardians. It also requires that any policy or procedure adopted by the State Board or a local board for participating in an ELO provide every student an equal opportunity to participate and satisfy established timelines and requirements for purposes of transcribing credits and state reporting. To comply with that edict, the State Department released a memo in summer 2022 containing a model policy. The model policy included explanatory comments and links to various forms and information relevant to the ELO process. 

Link to the ALSDE memo: FY22-2053 Alabama Extended Learning Opportunities Act 

Link to ELO sample forms and materials: ELO Act Materials

For more information, view the Extended Learning Opportunities Act podcast episode on the OXL Podcast tab.