The Board shall operate an alternative school program for students in grades 6-12 who have been suspended or expelled from regular school programs.¹ Except students who are eligible for special education, such change in a student's program shall be determined by the disciplinary hearing authority in accordance with the suspension policy of the Board and based upon recommendations from a team composed of the principal, the school counselor and the student, with or without the parents or legal guardians being present. Placement decisions for students who are eligible for special education shall be made by the IEP Team in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.² Students attending the Night Alternative School Program shall provide their own transportation.³

Teachers in alternative schools shall be certified by the state and shall be selected on the basis of interest and ability to work in alternative situations. Student-teacher ratios shall be small enough to allow for adequate instruction but shall be determined by the age, behavior and academic achievement of students in the program.

Sufficient textbooks, equipment and supplies shall be provided by the assigned school. For the purposes of this policy, the “assigned school” shall refer to the student’s zoned school or the student’s receiving school if the student has received an approved transfer in accordance with Policy J-152 “Student Transfer Within the System.”

Alternative school programs shall be operated in accordance with the rules of the State Board of Education and instruction shall proceed as nearly as practicable in accordance with the instructional programs at the student’s assigned school.¹ All course work completed and credits earned in the alternative school shall be transferred to and recorded in the student’s assigned school.³ Credit earned and progress made shall be granted as if the work were performed in the assigned school.

The student shall be subject to all rules of the school and violations of such rules may result in the student’s removal from the school for the duration of the original intended suspension or expulsion.^1,3 Violation of school rules shall not constitute grounds for extension of time spent in the alternative school. A student also may be removed from the alternative school if the student is not benefitting from the student’s assignment to the school or program and all interventions available to help the student to succeed in the school or program have been exhausted unsuccessfully.⁴ The recommendation to remove shall be made by the principal of the alternative school, with the final decision being made by the Director of Schools or their designee.

Students found to be eligible for special education in related circumstances shall be placed and served in accordance with the law and rules relating to special education.

Legal References:

1. Tennessee State Board of Education, Administrative Rules and Regulations § 0520-1-2-.09(2).
2. See 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq. and 29 U.S.C. § 794, respectively.
3. C.S.C. v. Knox County Board of Education 2006 W.L. 3731304 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2006).
4. T.C.A. § 49-6-3402.

Approved as to Legal Form
By Knox County Law Director 8/16/2024
/Gary T. Dupler/Deputy Law Director