What is alternative education?
The Michigan Department of Education Definition:
Alternative Education is a program operated as a subdivision of the regular K-12 program. It is designed for students who can be better served in an alternative delivery system. Students served include those who have specific needs and are often at risk of not graduating. Alternative Education programs seek to provide added flexibility and alternative instructional models. These often include expanded services from the traditional setting such as online learning, institutional programs, counseling, childcare, and transportation; in an effort to help students overcome barriers and meet the goals of the Michigan Merit Curriculum. Alternative Education pupils are funded under the K-12 foundation rate. Alternative Education is a separate, non-traditional program within a K-12 public school district or a public school academy established to provide personalized educational services for students who: are at risk of not graduating with their class; and/or have individual needs not being met in a traditional setting.
https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/flexible-learning/alted
The National Alternative Education Association Definition:
Alternative education serves students who require or thrive in an environment other than a traditional educational setting. This population of learners may face challenges in school, home, and/or community. Their ability to receive services in a traditional academic setting may increase vulnerability to school failure. Alternative education strives to deliver equitable access to innovative approaches to teaching and learning which provide students the opportunity to meet graduation requirements, prepare for post-secondary experiences and participate as productive members of their communities.
Alt ed in the U.S. serves an estimated 4 million students (about 7% of the total public school population). There are over 369 alt ed programs in 270 districts serving nearly 25,000 students (about 5% of the total secondary school population in the state of Michigan).
http://www.the-naea.org/naea-vision-and-mission.html
The Michigan Department of Education Definition:
Alternative Education is a program operated as a subdivision of the regular K-12 program. It is designed for students who can be better served in an alternative delivery system. Students served include those who have specific needs and are often at risk of not graduating. Alternative Education programs seek to provide added flexibility and alternative instructional models. These often include expanded services from the traditional setting such as online learning, institutional programs, counseling, childcare, and transportation; in an effort to help students overcome barriers and meet the goals of the Michigan Merit Curriculum. Alternative Education pupils are funded under the K-12 foundation rate. Alternative Education is a separate, non-traditional program within a K-12 public school district or a public school academy established to provide personalized educational services for students who: are at risk of not graduating with their class; and/or have individual needs not being met in a traditional setting.
https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/flexible-learning/alted
The National Alternative Education Association Definition:
Alternative education serves students who require or thrive in an environment other than a traditional educational setting. This population of learners may face challenges in school, home, and/or community. Their ability to receive services in a traditional academic setting may increase vulnerability to school failure. Alternative education strives to deliver equitable access to innovative approaches to teaching and learning which provide students the opportunity to meet graduation requirements, prepare for post-secondary experiences and participate as productive members of their communities.
Alt ed in the U.S. serves an estimated 4 million students (about 7% of the total public school population). There are over 369 alt ed programs in 270 districts serving nearly 25,000 students (about 5% of the total secondary school population in the state of Michigan).
http://www.the-naea.org/naea-vision-and-mission.html
