Who Does Alternative Education Serve?

Episode 1.5 Who Does Alternative Education Serve?

 

This is really a loaded question.  

 

For the most part, alternative education tends to be a melting pot that specializes in more focused education for the students served.  OR is it really a dumping ground for the hopeless students that nobody wants to work with? 

 

Newsweek article Demographic Breakdown of the 2021 Best High Schools

 

The odd finding in our search for numbers of students in the alternative setting finds that there is nothing beyond 2007, and then there were growing numbers of students in every state that were enrolled in some form of alternative education.  I was greeted with a wonderful response from Dr. Amy Schlessman-Frost, Ph.D. who gave me more information that may guide us.   Unfortunately, though, the following information came through after we’d recorded our session.  However, you may sift through and use some of it. 

 

States define what is alternative education, and because of this, the numbers begin to vary.  Here is a document that helps understand the definitions between states and Alternative Education:

https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/projects/project.asp?projectID=366

 

Dr. Jody Ernst has done the most current research on Alternative Education Campuses.    (AECs)    Much of her work is found in AEC data visualizations.    

 

It’s quite interesting to understand just how wide the net is cast in working with students, families, and communities for the greater good.  Alternative programs/schools/campuses serve anyone who was not attended to at the mainstream, for whatever reason. 

 

This is a great conversation starter for parties!  

 

Be sure to subscribe and tell others about us.

 

We want your comments and input!  Please help us and respond! 

 

Also, don't forget to join the new podcast, Alternative Jigsaw, A podcast that helps newer teachers begin to access the use of their instrument and talents in working in Alternative Education.

Please do visit the National Association for Alternative Education for more resources! 

And, visit AERO for more resources.

https://www.educationtriage.net/home