children out of school in america - University of Tennessee Digital ...

or programs that operate as alternatives for children
who do not respond to traditional schools' methods
or materials, who have been suspended, or who are
potential drop-outs. Some. schools provide vocational
programs, in some instances including a work
component, which allow students to earn money
while they finish their high school education. Generally,
all these alternative programs are small and
more personal than the traditional school setting.
These schools or programs can be a source of
controversy. Some school officials and teachers use
them as a way of relieving regular classes of problem
children. If this happens, they can be seen as dumping
grounds by the community. On the other hand,
teachers and counselors working in these alternative
programs generally are dedicated and sympathetic
to their students, and often this brings rewarding
results.
Springfield has established a junior high level pro-gram
to work with students who are considered
serious discipline problems. The Pupil Adjustment
Center (formerly called the Suspendee School)
serves approximately 35 teenagers who have been
given long-term suspensions. Denver, Colorado has
eight extension centers for junior high school chil-
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dren with personal and social adjustment problems.
Denver also has been operating the Metropolitan
Youth Education Center (Metro), a large alternative
program for senior high school students since 1964.
Classes are run year round, both day and evenings.
The curriculum is varied and students can attend
the school on flexible schedules. To be eligible for
Metro a youngster must be at least 16 years old and
have stopped attending school. PREP, a small, nongraded
junior high school for problem children unable
to function in traditional classrooms, is Portland's
effort to work with selected problem students,
especially habitual truants. The program includes a
shortened day with emphasis on physical activity.
The director of the program is also one of its
teachers.
Some of the alternative schools in our survey
areas are for many kinds of students, not only
discipline problems. Most of these alternatives are
on the high school level. Richland County No. I,
South Carolina, has operated the Walk-In School
since September 1972. This program has small, informal
classes and gives its 70 students discrete
responsibilities. There are no bells and no failures.
Despite the fears of some school board members
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