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Essay on Alternative Schools - Education For At Risk High School
Alternative schools gained popularity in the late 1960s and 1970s and largely originated from a drive to create more innovative schools with a progressive orientation (Young, 1990). Both Raywid (1981) and Young (1990) suggest that alternative schools became more conservative and remedial in the 1980s and began serving more students who were disruptive or failing in their home schools. This trend appears to have continued into the 1990s. Alternative schools are viewed more and more as schools for students who have had disciplinary problems in traditional schools (National Association of State Directors of Special Education, 1999). They are described as a place for those who have difficulty adjusting to the regular classroom environment or who have experienced disciplinary problems in the classroom. In contrast, there are some programs that continue to emphasize an innovative instructional approach rather than a disciplinary orientation.
For example, Minnesota's mission statement describes alternative programs as having a more hands-on experiential approach, smaller class sizes, resources to assist with social or emotional issues, and a vocational and career emphasis. Some alternative schools appear to be a desirable option for students at risk of school failure, whereas others are mandatory placements for students as a last resort. This distinction is important because it has implications tied to student motivation, outcomes, and overall program effectiveness.
Historically, alternative schools and programs have served a wide variety of students with varying interests, backgrounds, and abilities. Lange and Sletten (2002) reported on several specific student populations that are expected to benefit from alternative education, including students who drop out of school, students with disabilities, and students with high-risk health behaviors. Alternative programs have been identified as one strategy that can be effective in helping students stay in or complete school. In a survey of students in alternative programs, more than half indicated they had dropped out of school..............
