1. DYNAMICS OF ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION Alternative Education (AE) Unit

2. Topics of Discussion What does it take to have a quality AE?  Defining AE & the Law  Necessary Components  Referral & Placement  Curriculum – Direct Instruction & Supplements  Mental Health Services & Social Skills Training  Entry & Exit Processes  Tracking the Data  Standards/Best Practices  Assessment

3. RTI-Assessments (GPS, NBC, ….. http://www.rti4success. org/resources/tools- charts/screening-tools- chart http://www.rti4success. org/resources/tools- charts/screening-tools- chart

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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”.

7. Consensus: Meet the needs of at-risk youth

8. 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).pdf Arkansas Code on Alternative Education Act 1118 Title 6 Education Subtitle 3. Special Educational Programs Chapter 48 Alternative Learning Environments

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Positive Perspectives / Compliancy

12. “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

13. Participation Promotes Success Inclusion = Importance Perception becomes Personal Reality Define what is “Known” Detect mistakes, fix errors

14. 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

15. NOTE: AE grows as student needs occur. Most commonly, students do NOT start in the AE classroom at the beginning of the school year. 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

16. You Provide the Empowerment

17. New Student Deadline, End of April AE FTE Coding Requirements, Complicated Formula “20 Consecutive Days” Rule

18. Referral & Placement: HAVE A PLAN/PROCEDURE  Referral TEAM conference  Review Criteria for entrance into AE program  Parent Conference

19. Have a Plan

20. TEAM?  AE Teacher/Director  Administrator  Parent  Regular Classroom Teacher  Counselor  Student  Support Individuals: Special Education, Community Advocate, etc.

21. 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

22. 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

23. SAP – Student Action Plans

24. 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.)

25. Curriculum What are you using? What does research say?

27. Mental Health Services & Social Skills Training  www.interventioncentral.org www.interventioncentral.org  Behavior Training and Workshops  Crisis Intervention Training  Mental Health Professionals & Counselors  Elementary: Rewards and Points Systems  Others?

28. Exit Conference Criteria & Transitioning  Met expectations  Team decision  Transition back into regular classroom

29. 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?

30. Standards / Best Practices Mission and Purpose Leadership Culture and Climate (Safe and Orderly Environment) Professional Development Curriculum, Instruction and Opportunity to Learn

31. Standards / Best Practices cont. Parental Involvement Collaboration with Community Transition Planning and Support Monitoring and Assessment Mental Health Services

32. Name = Fame New Horizons Success AIM Crossroads New Beginnings Lizards’ Learning Lab Learning Center __________ Academy

33. AE Students Must be included in all district statistics Must participate in all statewide exams

34. Remember AE should not be Punitive! AE is a Positive Intervention! AE should provide: Guidance Counseling Academic Support Reports and Deadlines: Program Description: March 31 st annually Annual Report and Cycle 7: June 15 th annually Student Coding: Cycle 2,3,4,5,6,7 Summer Conference: July Annually

35. AE should enable students who are experiencing emotional, social or academic problems to continue to make progress toward educational goals

36. Choose your approach Inquiry vs Investigation Conversation vs Argumentation

37. 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?”

38. Alternative Education creates new opportunities through non traditional approaches.

39. 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. “

40. Results: Increased Graduation Rate Increased Attendance Higher Test Scores Increased Workforce Competency Increased Higher Education Enrollment

41. Important Tool http://arkansased.org Quick Links Alternative Education AAAE= AR Assoc. of Alt Ed www.arkaltedu.org

42. Contact Information Lori LambLori Lamb, Director Dr. C.W. Gardenhire, Program AdvisorC.W. Gardenhire Arkansas Department of Education Division of Learning Services 420 North Main StreetASU - Beebe Greenwood, AR 72936 England Center, Room 106 E-mail: lori.lamb@arkansas.gov P.O. Box 1000lori.lamb@arkansas.gov Phone: 479-996-4172 Beebe, AR 72012 Fax: 479-996-4174 E-mail: cw.gardenhire@arkansas.gov Phone: 501-882-4498 Cell: 501-580-5660 Deb Bales, Program AdvisorDeb Bales Arkansas Department of Education Division of Learning Services P.O. Box 250 Melbourne, AR 72556 E-mail: deborah.bales@arkansas.gov Phone: 501-580-2775

43. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

44. Endless Opportunities are What You Create