I have heard a comment from more than one student from a local school system who spent time in "alternative school" after being suspended from "regular" school because of bad behavior. This isn't an exact quote, but goes something like this..."I like alternative school. It's a lot more fun than regular school and we don't have to do anything".

 

What the crap? And yes, after being told what the kids do in the local alternative school, it's no wonder they like it more. They do little work, and what work they do do is all on the computer. The teacher "goofs" around with them. There are little to no expectations. What the crap?

 

In my day, and it wasn't all THAT long ago, alternative school (from my understanding, I never personally had to go) was more like "school jail". It wasn't fun...you were being punished. And it was meant to make you not WANT to go back to it, so maybe you would at least straighten up enough to stay in regular school when your "stint" at alternative school was over.

 

Anyone else have any experience with recent alternative schools and how they are run?

My nephew had to spend his Sophmore year at alternative school. As far as what they make them do, your description isn't far off from his. However he absolutely hated it. Said most of the kids there had zero ambition to do anything with their life and would most likely end up in jail before or shortly after getting out. There were obviously kids there that had just messed up and were doing their time but would rather be at the regular school. But the majority were just screwed up.

My nephew had to spend his Sophmore year at alternative school. As far as what they make them do, your description isn't far off from his. However he absolutely hated it. Said most of the kids there had zero ambition to do anything with their life and would most likely end up in jail before or shortly after getting out. There were obviously kids there that had just messed up and were doing their time but would rather be at the regular school. But the majority were just screwed up.

 

Which, in my opinion is why they need even more heightened rules, structure and boundaries at alternative school. maybe it will straighten some of those kids out before they head down a road with little recovery.

Ones I know of are as much, if not more structured than the main stream.

 

Uniforms. Metal detectors. Pockets emptied out. Cell phones aren't even allowed to be brought it, nor any personal school supplies as they are provided by the school. Not allowed on school grounds after 3pm, nor allowed to be involved with any extra curricular(s) for their duration at said alternative school.

 

As far as online learning goes, to the masses this gets an eye rolling...but, when you have a class full of kids ranging from 9-12 in the high school side of things and 6-8 in MS, the online programs (which are 110% aligned with the state curriculum to a T) are the way to go. If not for these, alternative schools would he the equivalent to old one room school houses where teachers TRIED to teach EVERY grade/subject themselves....obviously a reason those ended.

 

Often times your teachers here, are not only certified special education teachers, but also "highly qualified" in core subjects (often times multiple core subjects) as well.

I never went to alternative school, but spent sometime in what they called ISS. In school suspension and I would get all my work in the morning and get it all completed by lunch. Then had the rest of the day to take it easy. Looking back if I had spent more time in there I'd probably had really good grades.