MAEO's Mission Statement


The purpose of the Michigan Alternative Education Organization is to advocate quality alternative education for
Michigan's youth, to provide a network of support for alternative  educators and students, and to promote awareness of alternative education at the local, state, and federal levels.

The Michigan Alternative Education Organization (MAEO) was formed in 1975 to provide services and networking opportunities for alternative educators across the state. In that same year, MAEO held its first conferences to share ideas, innovations and strategies. Today, MAEO has a membership of approximately 900.

MAEO hosts an annual spring conference, as well as regional activities for students and alternative educators around the state. MAEO sponsors scholarships for graduating alternative students pursuing higher education, and regional grants that promote student activities. In addition, MAEO maintains this website and recognizes outstanding contributions to alternative education with annual awards.


                                        What is alternative education?


The definition of alternative education recommended for adoption by the Michigan Department of Education is:


A separate program within a K-12 public school district or charter school established to serve and
provide youth a choice or option whose needs are not being met in the traditional school setting.

There are three indispensable goals for alternative schools:

1.    That students attend by choice.

2.    That the school or program be responsive to unmet local needs.

3.    That the student body reflect the racial and socio-economic mix of the community.


                                    Alternative Education at the National and State Levels


All  students have aspirations and all deserve the chance to choose an educational  setting consistent with their learning styles. Beginning in the 1960's,  America's alternative schools began exploring innovative techniques in order to  provide appropriate instructional settings for students in need of additional  educational opportunities. At present the alternative education effort in the  United States serves an estimated four million students, or approximately 7% of  the total public school population.

Michigan  has been in the forefront of the alternative education movement since the  beginning. Across the state, the
concept of providing an intimate educational  setting responsive to student and community needs has flourished. There are now  more than 369 alternative education programs, in 270 school districts throughout Michigan. These programs collectively serve nearly 25,000 students, or about 5% of the total secondary school population in the state. While all  programs work to help at-risk students complete their secondary education, they exhibit incredible variety
and diversity in terms of size, focus, philosophy and structure.