What is an Alternative Learning Experience (ALE)?

ALEs are learning experiences for public school students that are developed and supervised via a student learning plan with certified teachers. ALEs are spelled out in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 392-121-182; it provides the legal and legislative basis for our ability to create and implement our innovative, flexible program with our students.  The other significant component of ALE is that student achievement and funding are not based primarily on “seat-time”, which is how conventional high schools are funded.

What is Competency Based Learning?

Nova’s teaching and learning system differs from traditional schools.  The student and their teachers collaborate to define the student’s specific interests and develop expectations for fulfilling competencies based on those interests.

Instead of measuring student knowledge on the basis of teacher-assigned tests, homework, and reports, the student and teacher work together to define and assess mastery so that the credits earned correlate with the student’s understanding and application of the key concepts and skills covered in the class.

Competencies fall into 4 categories: skills, content, conceptual/critical thinking, and community. Our teachers consistently differentiate for all learners in their classes so that every student is challenged to engage and deepen their thinking and their work. Our curriculum is developed by our teachers based on our curricular philosophy and is rooted in district, state, and national standards.

Nova uses performance and portfolio assessment to gauge the level and depth of student work.  Students must meet or exceed the competencies in a course in a class to earn credit. This is recorded as a “Pass” on their transcripts.

To learn more, please check out How Nova Works for more information.