Alternative Education
What is alternative education and how might it be different from a traditional school? Community High School is considered an alternative school; Central and Red River are traditional schools. The Department of Education’s (DOE) website defines alternative education as a way “to meet the needs of at-risk students who are not succeeding in the traditional setting.”
That still doesn’t quite explain what alternative education is, but the DOE explains further. “Students are provided with a variety of options that can lead to graduation and are supported by services essential to success.” Alternative schools are more focused on helping the students succeed.
How does an alternative school compare to a public school? Alternative schools are more for the students and more for getting them onto the road to success. Colin Wilde,a junior at Community High School, noticed a difference. “There’s more freedom. You push yourself more, and everyone works at their own pace. So other students don’t really affect your ability to work or get work done.”
Traditional school staff treat students about equally, expecting everyone to be able to perform basically the same skills in the same way. Alternative school staff treat students more like adults, expecting them to be responsible, to show up on time, and be prepared. Traditional school staff treat students like kids. Students get in trouble if they are late, even with a valid excuse. The teachers can give detention for a teen being late three times.
Something senior Brian Goulet likes is the way the teachers operate in the alternative setting. “The teachers put a lot of effort into motivating the students, and their dedication to the students helps them (the students) succeed.”
by Boe Travis