Education Commons^™

Special Education Diploma Acquisition And Transition Planning In Alternative School: An Authentic, Individualized Approach, Margaret Hoehn

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Minnesota allows for students to graduate upon successful completion of their Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals, colloquially known as an IEP-driven diploma or an “IEP diploma.” While districts and schools may have their own requirements for this process, guidance from the state only specifies that the IEP team facilitates this process and that annual IEP goals and supporting objectives should be written to support students’ transition goals. The planning framework at the center of this project is designed to support educators in developing culturally sustaining, student-centered goals and objectives for students with disabilities who are graduating via IEP-driven diplomas. It …

Leaders Reflect On Alternative Learning Environments: Resources Needed To Ensure Student Success, Willie Heath Miller

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the decision-making process of school leaders in ALE settings when determining the resources they provide and whether the resources provided ensure that these students are successful in the classroom, graduate on time, or earn a high school equivalency diploma. In the study, there were 10 participants who represented a variety of schools in Southwest Arkansas. Seven of the schools operate their alternative learning environment classes on-site. Three of the schools partnered with an educational cooperative to operate their ALE programs. The data were collected by conducting interviews which allowed the researcher …

Student Perspective Of Alternative Education Characteristics Implemented By Public School Social Workers, Jennifer M. Fields

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Public schools are facing increased challenges to address the needs of students with significant behavioral issues. In response, Alternative education (AE) programs are used to reengage students in learning and enhance personal development, through a combination of academic and therapeutic strategies. AE placement is intended to be short-term, with the goal of returning students to public school. However, the differences between these two settings make it difficult for students to sustain achievements made in AE upon reentry. The purpose of this qualitative research was to use the student perspective to identify the social-emotional characteristics of AE that have influenced change, …

An Exploration Of The Lived Experiences Of Students Who Attended Supervised Alternative Learning Programs In Southwestern Ontario, Rafaela Eneyda Lopez-Cobar

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

According to Statistics Canada (2021), in Ontario, 27.75% of young people age 15 to 24 attended but did not complete high school in 2020. This figure has increased in the last few years. Indeed, Statistics Canada reported that in 2005, 21% of young Ontarians did not complete high school. As a response to this worrying trend, the Ontario Ministry of Education (OME) implemented the System Alternative Education system (AES): a system that uses out-of-school locations as substitute-learning settings for students who may not be able to participate in regular classroom learning. One component of the Alternative Education system (AES) is …

Against All Odds: Understanding African American Males’ Perspectives On The Path To Graduation At An Alternative School, Devin Randolph

Theses and Dissertations

The researcher completed a critical, descriptive, single case study about African American male students' experiences on the path to graduation at an alternative school in the southeast. Informed by scholarship on majoritarian narratives and counter narratives from Critical Race Theory (CRT), the researcher coded and analyzed data from individual interviews, a focus group, and an art-based project to answer three research questions: 1. How do African American males describe their perspectives on their placement at an alternative school? 2. How do African American male students describe their paths to graduation, including defining moments? 3. What and who do African American …

Disrupting The School-To-Prison Pipeline : Implementing Alternative Education Programs To Reduce Student Disciplinary Issues, Michael M. Burns

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Conventional punitive detention- and suspension-based correctional approaches to student disruptive behavior are widely considered ineffective and counterproductive. Instead of offering opportunities for change and growth, they punish students they deem incorrigible by excluding them from instruction. While effective alternative approaches and programs exist, their use is far less widespread than would seem indicated. The purpose of this study is to explore how schools with successful alternative educational and disciplinary programs manage to overcome resistance to change and create settings that sustain the education for these students who through repeated disruptive behavior tend to fail in conventional punitive disciplinary programs. Three …

What Are School Counselors From Exemplary Alternative Schools Doing To Support Social And Emotional Learning With Students?, Sandra Shaw

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify and describe the best practices school counselors from exemplary alternative education schools in San Bernardino County use to support social emotional learning (SEL) using the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) core competencies (self-management, self-awareness, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making). An additional purpose of the study was to describe the CASEL SEL core competencies that were perceived as most important by school counselors from exemplary alternative education schools in San Bernardino County.

Methodology: This qualitative phenomenological study identified and described the best practices school counselors from …

Identifying Successful Strategies Within An Extrinsic Reward System To Improve Behavior In The Alternative School Setting, Christian Burner

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this Delphi study was to identify strategies that are successful within a school-wide extrinsic rewards system to improve alternative school student behavior in the alternative school setting. A second purpose was to rate the effectiveness of the identified strategies for improving alternative school student behavior in the alternative school setting.

Methodology: This study used a Delphi method, consisting of 3 rounds, to collect data from alternative schoolteachers who are experts in implementing strategies within a school-wide extrinsic rewards system. In Round 1, participants were asked to identify strategies to improve student behavior in the alternative school …

Emotional Intelligence: An Essential Ingredient For Principals To Successfully Implement The Big Picture Learning 10 Distinguishers, Amos Nugent Iii

Dissertations

Purpose. The purpose of this mixed methods descriptive case study was to explore and describe the importance of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management EI characteristics as perceived by principals when implementing the 10 learning distinguishers of Big Picture Learning (BPL) schools’ conceptual framework in order to support the academic success of ninth- to 12th-grade students attending BPL alternative education schools in the Southwestern United States.

Methodology. This mixed methods research design used qualitative and quantitative data to analyze the research questions regarding the importance of EI characteristics when supporting student academic success according to alternative education principals. The …

Pbis Social Culture In An Alternative Education Setting: What Do Students Know About Their Language, Experiences, And Values?, Maria P. Kreiter

Graduate Theses & Dissertations

School discipline and safety has been an ongoing concern in the United States, as well as statistics about the students that are affected by these concerns. Extreme programming such as zero tolerance has created a pathway for students with safety concerns and disruptive behaviors toward alternative education programs. Unfortunately, simply removing students from public schools has not extinguished the undesired behaviors, but may actually increase more severe and frequent discipline problems, as well as restricted these students from needed and accessible programs. While PBIS in Alternative Education (AE) settings has encouraging outcomes, little research is available in these settings where …

Exploring The Perceptions Of Parents On Parent Involvement In County Community School Students’ Academic Achievement, Maria Haro

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand and explain how parents perceive parent engagement affects high school academic achievement within county operated community schools in Riverside County California. An additional purpose of the study was to understand and explain actions parents believe are necessary to increase parent engagement within county community schools in Riverside County.

Methodology: This qualitative phenomenological study explored the perspectives of 16 parents who had students attending County Community Schools in California. The research focused on parent engagement and the actions necessary to involve parents in their children’s education. The researcher in conjunction …

Understanding Alternative Education Student Self-Efficacy Related To Experiential And Organizational Factors, Megan Maczonis Brown

Theses and Dissertations

The need for a high school diploma or equivalent is a social justice concern as the consequences of not earning a diploma or equivalent degree are lower income, higher crime rates, and poorer health (McClatchy, 2013; NCES, 2015; NCES, 2017; Freudenberg & Ruglis, 2007; Thrane, 2006). The median earnings of young adults with a high school diploma and young adults with a bachelor's degree were 22 and 100 percent higher respectively than those of young adults without a high school diploma. Additionally, lower levels of educational attainment are related to higher rates of arrests and incarceration (Eby, 2013). Lower levels …

Experiences Of High School Dropouts In A Work Force Development Program, Reginald J. Hester, Sr.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The issue of high school dropouts has been an ongoing concern for educators, community stakeholders, and politicians on local, national, and global levels. Little was known about students' experiences before they enrolled in a workforce development program and how their earlier experiences may have caused them to drop out of high school. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive case study was to understand the school-related experiences of high school dropouts enrolled in a workforce development program, and how the innovation and integration of social media technologies during academic instruction helped reengage these learners. The research questions focused on how the …

Teacher Practices To Help Alternative Education Students, Angela Daws

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

The problem addressed by this study is that alternative schools have a high recidivism rate, due in part to a difficult transition for students back to their traditional, zoned school. The purpose of this study was to identify practices of experienced alternative school teachers perceived as helping students transition from the alternative school setting to the traditional school setting, as well as challenges teachers face. To identify these practices (and challenges), data were collected from 5 teachers at a disciplinary alternative school by surveys, interviews, and observations. Three research questions guided this study:

1. How do experienced alternative high school teachers …

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The Predictors Of Juvenile Recidivism: Testimonies Of Adult Students 18 Years And Older Exiting From Alternative Education, La Toshia Palmer

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive, qualitative study was to identify and describe the importance of the predictors of juvenile recidivism and the effectiveness of efforts to prevent/avoid juvenile recidivism as perceived by previously detained, arrested, convicted, and/or incarcerated adult students 18 years of age and older exiting from alternative education in Northern California. A second purpose was to explore the types of support provided by alternative schools and the perceived importance of the support to avoid recidivism according to adult students 18 years of age and older exiting from alternative education.

Methodology: This qualitative, descriptive research design identified …

A Study Of Alternative Education Seat Time Waiver Students In Michigan, Linden A. Moore

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

In September of 2007, the Michigan Department of Education introduced a program referred to as seat time waivers to a few school districts in Michigan to pilot. During the 2009- 2010 school year, 999 students were on seat time waivers with a total of 5070 classes taken by these students. While the number of online learners continues to grow exponentially, the levels of success are questionable.

This study investigates the reason why some students placed on seat time waivers find academic success while others do not. It compares the different academic characteristics the students self-report and identifies which of these …

A Comparison Of Leadership And Organizational Characteristics Of Effective Alternative High Schools With Open And Restricted Enrollments, Andrea A. Mattoon

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Abstract

Trust, Safety, And Relationship Building: A Case Study Of Alternative School Education, Kermit Blakley

Dissertations

This paper involved researching and studying the social and emotional needs of all stakeholders in our educational system. It used qualitative methods of inquiry to gain knowledge based upon the experiences of children and adults in an alternative school setting. The Wire Academy staff and students experienced the short- and long-term impacts of relationship building and trust required for student achievement, as well as professional growth for the adults that serve children.

This study provides interviews and conversations that were genuine and qualitative, with respect to the climate and culture of the alternative school setting. In addition, it highlights the …

Young Adults' Perceptions Of High School Graduation Success And Long-Term Juvenile Incarceration, Simone Patricia Garwood

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Officials in the juvenile and public education systems are working to address the education gap for incarcerated juveniles and to implement turning point programs. The purpose of the phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of previously incarcerated young adults and their perceptions of graduation success and long-term juvenile incarceration. Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory, Ryan and Deci's self-determination theory, Merton and Agnew's general strain theory, Homan's theory of exchange, and life course theory informed this study. Research questions were developed to understand the experiences and perceptions of young adults related to graduation success during or after juvenile incarceration. Convenience, purposive, …

Perceptions Of Alternative Center Students On Their Successes: A Case Study Of An Alternative Center In Northeast Tennessee, Julia E. Decker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined how students at Science Hill High Alternative Center (AC) perceived their academic success. Eighteen alumni from Science Hill High School Alternative Center were interviewed to examine their perceptions of their success. Choosing 2 alumni to represent each of the 9 programs represented at the AC provided perceptions of 3 emerging themes: (a) relationships, (b) diversity of programs, and (c) personal growth. There were other findings that were noted but not identified as a theme. Other findings involved alumni wanting to reminisce about incidents that occurred and reflect on peers who were in attendance with them at …

An Examination Of Teacher Efficacy On Student Achievement In Regional Juvenile Detention Centers And Youth Development Centers In Kentucky, Scott Tyrone Ferguson

Online Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the self-efficacy of teachers who work in the juvenile detention and youth development centers in Kentucky and how their level of self-efficacy influences their students' efforts to complete high school. This study is important because it provides information that contributes to the improvement of education for students incarcerated in juvenile detention and youth development centers in Kentucky. A quality education for these students ensures they will have the same opportunity for success that was afforded them in their regular school.

Youth committed to the juvenile detention and youth development centers are considered …

The Liberty High School Greenhouse Project: Solar Powered Deep Water Culture, Aeroponics, & Drip Irrigation, Ryan Mcbride

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Leadership Effectiveness And Organizational Climate On Academic Achievement In Memphis City Schools' Alternative High Schools, Billy J. Walker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to conduct an investigation to determine the relationships between leadership effectiveness, organizational climate, and academic achievement in Memphis City Schools' alternative high schools. In this quantitative study, the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) was used to gather leadership effectiveness perceptions, and the Gallup Q12 was used to gather organizational climate surveys from the four regional alternative high schools in Memphis City Schools. The survey instruments were distributed to over 120 principals, teachers, and educational support staff with 103 (85.83%) responding. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), two-way analysis of variance (Two-Way ANOVA), and a Pearson's correlation …

Post-Correctional Education Interventions: A Phenomenological Case Study Of Empowerment Education Curriculum For Formerly Incarcerated African American Males, Rolanda Jean West

Dissertations

This phenomenological case study describes how a Post-Correctional Education Intervention (PCEI) was developed for a local community-based organization that had recently constructed a transition house for formerly incarcerated adults who converted to Islam while incarcerated. The PCEI was an eight-week course curriculum with 60 hours of direct instruction that included social justice, health and wellness and critical thinking teaching modules and affective teaching and learning methodologies. This research contains experiential data used to assess how a PCEI affected the identity and self-concept of the participants of a reentry program designed to create an atmosphere of empowerment.

Perceptions Of Teachers Regarding The Importance And Existence Of Researched-Based Program Characteristics In Alternative High Schools And Teacher’S Perceptions Of Efficacy In The Commonwealth Of Virginia, Robert Lowerre

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine teachers’ perceptions of the degree to which research-based characteristics exist in alternative high schools and programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the importance of these characteristics to effective education. In addition, this research investigated whether or not these perceptions were related to the teachers’ perception of efficacy. These seven characteristics were (a) clearly identified enrollment criteria, (b) low ratio of student to teachers, (c) one-to-one interactions between staff and students, (d) social skills instruction, (e) effective academic instruction, (f) parental involvement and parental support programs, and (g) specific training for teachers …

"If You Don't Read, It Is Like You Don't Exist": The Transformative Power Of Critical Literacy At An Alternative Charter High School, Jesse Sage Noonan

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this youth participatory action research (YPAR) project was to challenge the pedagogy of traditional literacy instruction for low-income Latino/a students, particularly the overuse of scripted curricula and standardized tests mandated through the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Twelve student participants served as co-teachers and co-researchers as they created, implemented, and evaluated a critical literacy class based on the theoretical frameworks of critical pedagogy and critical literacy and the methodology of youth participatory action research (YPAR).

The YPAR Critical Literacy Group and research took place at one of a network of small, independent-study alternative schools called Future …

A School-To-Work Transition Curriculum For Out-Of-School Youth, Mateo Arteaga

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to develop a School-to-Work transition curriculum to assist out-of-school youth in grades 6-12 formulate career pathways at Yakima Valley Opportunities Industrialization Center alternative schools, Yakima, Washington. To accomplish this goal, current research and literature on School-to-Work curriculum models, programs and certificate of mastery were reviewed. Additionally, selected materials were obtained from institutions across the United States with model School-to-Work curricula/programs in action.

Yakima Alternative Education Program: Serving At-Risk Students In Grades 9-12, Earl Steven Lee

All Graduate Projects

The project describes and analyzes the Alternative School program of the Yakima (WA) School District. The project reviews the nine components that make up the alternative programs for the Yakima School District: (1) Stanton, (2) Outreach, (3) Project 107, (4) MAS, (5) The Place, (6) Detention Home, (7) Crossroads, (8) Key-OIC and (9) Stride. The project will identify the critical attributes of each program in an effort to clearly understand how they each promote the educational growth of high risk students in grades 9-12. Techniques, instructional materials and educational resources used by teachers and students will be discussed.

Sponsor A Middle School Student (Sams Program), Mary Patt Kennedy

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum addresses reducing the out-of-school suspension rate for emotionality handicapped students through a program designed to increase a positive attitude toward school. The students worked closely with the family, the sponsor, and the teacher to develop appropriate in-school behaviors; consequently eliminating the need for out-of-school suspension. The program trained students to become productive members of society by modeling the behavior of the adults around them. The Sponsor A Middle School program offered a highly incentive program with built-in success experiences. The primary goal of SAMS was to change the attitudes and actions of students, parents, teachers and community members …