Alternative Education

Our challenge is not to educate the children we used to have or want to have, but to educate the children who come to the schoolhouse door. This quote by H. G. Wells, highlights the challenges faced by schools and communities. Because the large and/or traditional school environment does not meet the needs of all students, especially those students who are at-risk, vulnerable, and disengaged, alternatives must be developed.

The alternative education program works with school districts to develop programs that help all students to be successful. Program ideas range from early intervention for at-risk learners that start the student off on the right track to programs for students who have lost their way entirely. For the student who has lost his or her way, this might include jail or detention based education, credit acceleration, a behavior program or just an opportunity to come back to school and graduate.

While the short-term goal of alternative education is to meet the needs of some students, the long-term goal must be to identify successful alternative education strategies and use these strategies as a basis for improving the learning opportunities for all children.

The department has developed answers to frequently asked questions about alternative education.

Wisconsin law states that a school board may grant a high school diploma to a pupil who has not satisfied the credit requirements if:

1. The student was enrolled in an alternative education program
2. The school board determines that the pupil has demonstrated a level of proficiency in the subjects for which credits are required equivalent to that which they would have attained if they had satisfied the credit requirements

Some districts offering alternative programs:

• struggled with finding a way for students to demonstrate competency
• developed excellent competency-based curriculums that are aligned with the state standards
• rely on computer-aided instruction (Novanet, Plato) or portable assisted study sequence (PASS) packets to measure competency.

Nationally, the most recognized way to measure competency is the general education development (GED) test. In Wisconsin, that includes the GED test battery (mathematics, science, social studies, language arts) plus health, civic literacy, employability skills, and career awareness that comprise the high school equivalency diploma (HSED).

Traditionally, the HSED in Wisconsin was obtained by contracting with a local technical college or community-based organization for the preparation and testing of students 17 years if age or older. Wisconsin school districts can now apply for permission to prepare students for the HSED through their alternative education programs provided the student will be awarded the traditional high school diploma. The school district will be using the HSED to measure proficiency in lieu of credits and students are required to meet other graduation requirements in school policy such as community service, high school graduation test, teacher recommendation, and academic preparedness.

This new opportunity, GED Option #2 (GEDO #2), requires interested districts to submit an application PI-8201, provide a narrative, and send signed assurances to Beth Lewis, (phone 608/267-1062). Additional information is available at GED Option 2 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.

Search:
Section 115.366, Wis. Stats.
Administrative Rule PI 44*

1999 Wisconsin Act 9 created a state competitive grant program (Wis. Admin. Code §PI 44) to fund alternative education programs beginning with the 2000-01 school year. Funds will be available for the 2005-06 school year.  Applications and fact sheets were sent to local school districts and are due March 4, 2008.

For questions about this information, contact Beth E. Lewis (608) 267-1062

Last updated on 2/25/2008 1:40:50 PM