Alternative Education programs are designed to meet the needs of public school students in grades 6-12 who have not been successful in the traditional setting. Students are provided with a variety of options that can lead to graduation and are supported by services essential to success.
While each of Indiana’s alternative education programs is unique, there are state level requirements for programs that are common to successful alternative schools:
Alternative education types include, but are not limited to, the following:
Just as there are many types and settings for alternative schools, there are many delivery models based on the programs’ philosophy and the needs of the students they serve. Some follow a school community partnership model that features collaboration with the larger community. Others may combine core academics with Career and Technical Education (CTE) and work-based learning opportunities that focus on making school meaningful while preparing students for the workforce. Still others employ a behavioral intervention model.
In Indiana, the programs and models designed to meet the needs of disaffected youth are as diverse as the students themselves. Despite this diversity, however, all alternative education programs are held accountable for helping students master the Indiana Academic Standards and must comply with educational laws and rules.
To obtain alternative education grant funding based on the formula established in the legislation, public school corporations must:
