dynamics of alternative education alternative education (ae) unit
TRANSCRIPT
DYNAMICS OF
ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION
Alternative Education (AE) Unit
Topics of Discussion
What does it take to have a quality AE?
Defining AE & the Law
Necessary ComponentsReferral & PlacementCurriculum – Direct Instruction & SupplementsMental Health Services & Social Skills TrainingEntry & Exit Processes
Tracking the Data Standards/Best Practices Assessment
RTI-Assessments(GPS, NBC, …..
• http://www.rti4success.org/resources/tools-charts/screening-tools-chart
Define Alternative Education Differences in admissions criteria, program components,
staff, lengths of student involvement, parental and community collaboration, and expected outcomes make defining alternative learning programs difficult.
Every program is unique to the school and students it is designed to serve.
IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND AE is an Intervention
AE is a PROGRAM - NOT a PLACE. Students enter until referral concerns have improved. AE is NOT a dumping ground, but a privilege for students.
The U. S. Department of Education
A alternative education school is "a public elementary/secondary school that addresses needs of students that typically cannot be met in a regular school, provides nontraditional education, serves as an adjunct to a regular school, or falls outside the categories of regular, special education or vocational education”.
Consensus: Meet the needs of at-risk youth
What does Arkansas law say about AE?
AE report issued by the Arkansas Bureau of
Legislative Research.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/education/K12/AdequacyReports/2014/2014-04-15/08-ALE%20Report,%20BLR%20(28b).
Arkansas Code on Alternative Education
Act 1118
Title 6 Education
Subtitle 3. Special Educational Programs
Chapter 48 Alternative Learning Environments
Who is an AE Student? Students At-Risk• Students should exhibit two or more of the following identified
characteristics:• 4.02.1.1 Situations that negatively affect the student’s academic and
social progress may include, but are not limited to: • 4.02.1.1.1 Ongoing, persistent lack of attaining proficiency levels in
literacy and mathematics; • 4.02.1.1.2 Abuse: physical, mental, or sexual; • 4.02.1.1.3 Frequent relocation of residency; • 4.02.1.1.4 Homelessness; • 4.02.1.1.5 Inadequate emotional support; • 4.02.1.1.6 Mental/physical health problems; • 4.02.1.1.7 Pregnancy; or • 4.02.1.1.8 Single parenting.
AE Student Considerations:• 4.02.1.2 Students placed at risk, though intelligent and capable,
typically manifest one or more of the following characteristics:
4.02.1.2.1 Personal or family problems or situations;
4.02.1.2.2 Recurring absenteeism;
4.02.1.2.3 Dropping out from school; or
4.02.1.2.4 Disruptive behavior.
Positive Perspectives / Compliancy
Positive Perspectives / Compliancy• “Student assessment either before or upon entry into the
class or school”• “Intervention service designed to address the student’s
behavioral problems…such intervention services shall not be punitive in nature but must be designed for long-term improvement of the student’s ability to control his or her behavior.”
• Examples: Graduation Activities, lunch, recess, school electives, clubs, field trips…. “substantially similar” expectations
Participation Promotes Success
• Inclusion = Importance• Perception becomes Personal Reality
• Define what is “Known”• Detect mistakes, fix errors
Verbal Intervention Tips and Techniques
• Do• Remain Calm• Isolate the Situation• Enforce Limits• Listen• Be aware of
non-verbals• Be consistent
• Don’t• Over React• Power Struggle• False Promises• Fake Attention• Threaten• Use Jargon• Get Physical• Argue / Raise Voice• Give Ultimatums• Use Threats• Turn your back
NOTE:
AE grows as student needs occur. Most commonly, students do NOT start in the AE classroom at the beginning of the school year.
Empowerment: Students choose to accept the intervention support
You Provide the Empowerment
New Student Deadline, End of April• AE FTE Coding Requirements, Complicated Formula
• “20 Consecutive Days” Rule
Referral & Placement:HAVE A PLAN/PROCEDURE
Referral TEAM conference
Review Criteria for entrance into AE program
Parent Conference
Have a Plan
TEAM?
AE Teacher/Director Administrator Parent Regular Classroom Teacher Counselor Student Support Individuals: Special Education,
Community Advocate, etc.
Criteria for Placement:Relative to program goals and objectives
SNFR 4.02 - ALE Student Eligibility and Placement• NOTE: “Student will not be placed in AE based on
academic problems alone.”• AE is more than Credit Recovery
Placement Considerations Parents and Student Participation Course of action/plan for intervention College and Career Readiness Progress Monitoring of SAP Privilege not punishment for student Placement concerns and remediation expectations (time) Substantially similar sub-populations Hardest to Reach = 2% - 3% of population
SAP – Student Action Plans
Culture and Climate• Furniture, Tables, Roller Chairs, Centers,
• Alternate Lighting, Direct, Clamp-On-Desk Lamps, Floor Lamps
• Refrigerator, Microwave,• Measuring and Cooking Equipment• Bowls, Cups, Utensils, etc.
• Healthy Snacks: Ramen Noodles, Oatmeal, Water, Tea, Hot Choc.
• Soft Music
• Comfortable Seating
• Pleasant Scent: (Plug In, Febreeze, Coffee Beans, Etc.)
Curriculum
What are you using?
What does research say?
Mental Health Services & Social Skills Training
www.interventioncentral.org Behavior Training and Workshops Crisis Intervention Training Mental Health Professionals & Counselors Elementary: Rewards and Points Systems Others?
Exit Conference Criteria & Transitioning
Met expectations
Team decision
Transition back into regular classroom
Relationship with other Schools Educate regular educators about the goals and objectives
of the alternative program. Make it a team effort and keep everyone involved. i.e.
student snapshots. Work cohesively as a unit to meet the needs of students. Others?
Standards / Best Practices• Mission and Purpose • Leadership• Culture and Climate (Safe and Orderly Environment)• Professional Development• Curriculum, Instruction and Opportunity to Learn
Standards / Best Practices cont.• Parental Involvement• Collaboration with Community • Transition Planning and Support• Monitoring and Assessment• Mental Health Services
Name = Fame• New Horizons• Success• AIM• Crossroads• New Beginnings• Lizards’ Learning Lab• Learning Center• __________ Academy
AE Students
• Must be included in all district statistics
• Must participate in all statewide exams
Remember
• AE should not be Punitive!• AE is a Positive Intervention!• AE should provide:
• Guidance• Counseling• Academic Support
Reports and Deadlines:
Program Description: March 31st annually
Annual Report and Cycle 7: June 15th annually
Student Coding: Cycle 2,3,4,5,6,7
Summer Conference: July Annually
AE should enable students who are experiencing emotional, social or academic problems to continue to make progress
toward educational goals
Choose your approach• Inquiry vs Investigation
• Conversation vs Argumentation
Helpful Solutions• “I’m not getting it.”
• “Help me see this from your perspective.”
• “What am I missing here?”
• “If you did know, what would you tell me?”
Alternative Education creates new opportunities through non
traditional approaches.
Great Starters• “Is it easier to write or talk about this situation?”• “How do you prefer me to respond?”• Action or Intervention • Sounding Board…, Students do not need to always be
right, they do insist on being heard!• “What else? Are you sure? Is there anything else? It is
important that I know your perspective. “
Results:
• Increased Graduation Rate• Increased Attendance • Higher Test Scores• Increased Workforce Competency• Increased Higher Education Enrollment
Important Tool
http://arkansased.org
Quick Links
Alternative Education
AAAE= AR Assoc. of Alt Ed
www.arkaltedu.org
Contact Information
Lori Lamb, Director Dr. C.W. Gardenhire, Program Advisor
Arkansas Department of Education Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Learning Services Division of Learning Services
420 North Main Street ASU - Beebe
Greenwood, AR 72936 England Center, Room 106
E-mail: [email protected] P.O. Box 1000
Phone: 479-996-4172 Beebe, AR 72012
Fax: 479-996-4174 E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 501-882-4498
Cell: 501-580-5660
Deb Bales, Program Advisor
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Learning Services P.O. Box 250 Melbourne, AR 72556
E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 501-580-2775
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Endless Opportunities are What You Create