Exploration of successful alternate schools
Subject
Abstract
This paper encompasses a project to produce an informational insert on what alternative education programs have been doing to support their learners, and how various other school districts around the world have implemented and facilitated successful alternate programs. In exploring alternative education in detail, I will invoke common themes to provide a deep understanding as to what components of an alternate program are crucial for student success. These themes will form the basis for an alternate education insert for BC school district teacher handbook’s, and are comprised of relationship-based programming, community supports and partnerships, engagement, food, supportive culture, clear student transitions, flexibility, facility and location, and staff connections. All of these elements are essential for supporting students, especially vulnerable learners. The insert will draw from two important guiding resources on alternative education: (1) McCreary Centre Society’s (2007) Making the grade: A review of alternative education programs in BC and (2) Hannis, Lawson and Lait’s (2016) Guiding principles for alternate schools.