1. Youth in Alternative Learning Settings School Context and Climate: Perceptions, Behaviors and Experiences

2. MSS in Alternative Learning Settings Participation includes all ALC/ALP students in grades 7 through 12 –Students who are dual enrolled participate only once Secondary Survey Instrument

3. MSS Alternative Learning Settings Report Matched sample by age, gender and race/ethnicity Includes the following topics: –F–Family Characteristics and Experiences –S–School Context and Climate –O–Out of School Time Activities and Community –H–Health Behaviors –M–Mental Health –V–Victimization –A–Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug use –O–Other Risk Behaviors –S–Sexual Activity

4. Who participated: Gender

5. Who participated: Age

6. Who participated: Race and ethnicity

7. Who participated: Ever had an IEP

8. Who participated: Free/Reduced price lunch

9. School Context and Climate Feelings towards school Teachers interest and respect Post-secondary school plans Grades Truancy, attendance and mobility School climate and perceptions of safety Victimization Bullying experiences Weapons at school

10. Feelings towards school

11. Teachers are interested in you as a person

12. Teachers show respect for students

13. Post-secondary school plans

14. Receive the following grades most often

15. Skipped a full day of school in the last 30 days

16. Did not go to school because felt unsafe in the last 30 days

17. Number of times changed schools since the beginning of this school year

18. Students are friendly

19. Students behave well in the hallways and lunchrooms

20. Students have made fun of or threatened students of different races or backgrounds

21. I feel safe going to and from school

22. I feel safe at school

23. Bathrooms in the school are a safe place to be

24. Illegal gang activity is a problem at this school

25. Student alcohol or drug use is a problem at this school

26. Physical victimization at school in the last 12 months

27. Sexual victimization at school in the last 12 months

28. Property stolen or damaged at school in the last 12 months

29. Bullying experiences: Weekly or more in the last 30 days

30. Carried a weapon at school in the last 30 days

31. Conclusions Overall students in alternative learning settings report similar experiences to their mainstream peers, such as feeling safe at school and having plans to go to college. Students in alternative learning settings: –Witness less racial harassment of their peers –Experience less physical and sexual victimization at school –Report being truant in the previous month or having changed schools in the previous year more often than their peers These indicators show that the alternative learning settings have succeeded at creating a more positive school climate and have potential lessons that could applied to youth in the traditional public schools.