Exemplary Practices in Alternative Education

 Across the United States, alternative schools, programs and classrooms are serving students who are not succeeding in the traditional educational setting.  Often this population of learners exhibits one or more of the following traits: under-performing academically, possessing learning disabilities, displaying emotional or behavioral issues, being deliberate or inadvertent victims of the behavioral problems of others, displaying a high risk of potential expulsion, suspension, or dropping out of school, and/or displaying the need for individualized instruction.  Alternative education offers innovative, non-traditional approaches to teaching this population of learners, which aides in preventing these students from becoming dropouts. 

With that in mind and in an effort to enhance the quality of alternative education in all fifty states, the National Alternative Education Association (NAEA) has identified and crafted ten exemplary practices in the field.  Forged from research on productive alternative programs and the wisdom of alternative educators, the exemplary practices represent a national effort to develop a common core of principles.  Furthermore, the Association has identified specific indicators of quality programming that signify meeting each of the identified exemplary practices.  Both the exemplary practices and the indicators are considered essential to quality alternative education programming. 
  
We strongly encourage that educators utilize and share the document below.  Please circulate it widely to members of the public, within the professional community, and to policy-makers.  It is through a shared vision of alternative education that our students are assured the schooling they will need to carry out the responsibilities of the future. 



Application Period for 2012 100 Best Communities Competition

Deadline is May 17, 2012!

2/9/2012


America’s Promise Alliance and the ING Foundation are excited to announce that applications for the 2012 100 Best Communities for Young People presented by ING will be available online beginning March 1, 2012.

This competition, now in its sixth cycle, recognizes outstanding local-level efforts to provide the Five Promises and improve graduation rates. It celebrates communities dedicated to the well-being of their youth and collaborating across sectors to achieve success.

Last year, more than 300 communities from across the country were nominated for this award. The competition is open to all cities, towns, counties and school districts from the 50 United States and U.S. territories.

2013 NAEA Conference On Alternative Education

February 6 - 8, 2013

Marriott Marquis

Atlanta, Georgia

Mark the date on your calendar!!


New Horizons Students Participate in Art Show

By: From Staff Reports - The Sentinel-Record
The Sentinel-Record/Mara Kuhn

New Horizons, the on-campus alternative education program for the Lake Hamilton Arkansas School District, was represented by four students, Alycia DeLima, Taylor Holmes, Faith Robbins and Shara Woods, in the 2012 Lake Hamilton High School Art show.

Student works of art were selected by Hope Foster, the New Horizons art teacher, and Ted Smith, fine arts chairman of Lake Hamilton High School. Holmes and Robbins have also been selected to submit work to the Arkansas Young Artist Association, a statewide competition for student artists.

This is the first year that New Horizons has had the opportunity to participate in this annual event. Foster and Smith are responsible for planning and implementing a fine arts curriculum for the students who participate in alternative education programming.

Supporters of NAEA