HB486 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rod Scott

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

Charlotte Meadows

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Extended Learning Opportunities Act, established, learning opportunities outside of typical public K-12 classroom for credit, approval and enrollment process provided, Secs. 16-46C-1 to 16-46C-7, inclusive, added.

Summary

HB486 creates the Extended Learning Opportunities Act to allow approved off-campus learning experiences to count for high school credit and sets enrollment, approval, and reporting rules for Alabama public schools.

What This Bill Does

It creates Extended Learning Opportunities (ELOs) outside the traditional classroom, including enrichment and career-related experiences like internships and apprenticeships. Starting in 2021-2022, districts must inform students and parents about earning credit for ELOs, and enrollment can be assisted by school staff; a parent–student agreement detailing program requirements is required before participation. ELOs can count as elective credit toward graduation if approved, with a process for requesting credit and for awarding a certificate of completion and credit based on defined criteria, including performance-based assessments. Approved providers (nonprofits, state-based businesses, trade associations, and the Armed Forces) automatically qualify to offer ELOs statewide, and completion of an acceptable ELO can fulfill course requirements and potentially graduation credits; schools must ensure equal access and proper credit transcription and reporting, with the State Board of Education adopting implementing rules.

Who It Affects

• Students in Alabama K-12 non-charter public schools and public charter schools who may enroll in approved extended learning opportunities and earn elective credit toward graduation.
• Eligible external entities (nonprofit organizations, businesses with operations in Alabama, trade associations, and the Armed Forces) that may offer extended learning opportunities and submit proposals; once approved, they can provide ELOs to districts statewide.

Key Provisions

• Defines Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) as enrichment, career readiness or employability skills opportunities (including internships, pre-apprenticeships, and apprenticeships), or any other approved educational opportunity.
• Requires SBOE and local boards to inform students/parents about ELO credit starting in 2021-2022; allows staff to assist with enrollment; requires a parent–student agreement detailing program requirements before participation.
• Allows ELOs to count as elective credit toward graduation if approved; requires written credit requests and proof of completion; directs adoption of a comprehensive ELO policy outlining application, eligible providers, credit request process, approval criteria, and criteria for awarding certificates and credit (including performance-based assessments).
• Automates eligibility: entities approved to offer ELOs by the State Board of Education automatically qualify to offer them to all local boards and public charter schools in the state.
• Provides that a student who completes an approved ELO and meets the awarding criteria shall be considered to have completed the required coursework for the related course, potentially satisfying graduation credit requirements.
• Requires policies to ensure equal opportunity to participate and proper transcription/reporting of credits; the State Board of Education will adopt rules to implement the act.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education