In a sector largely ignored in policy and the public imagination, Alternative Provision works to care for and educate children for whom mainstream schooling does not work. Central to their mission is the engagement of families, often seen as both the cause of their child's difficulties and the solution to their successful educational…

This article documents the first phase of an Action Research project that examines how teachers can inquire with young people into critical moments across their schooling journey. Each year, approximately 3000 young people aged from 13 years to 16 years are directed to continue their schooling in Alternative Education sites in New Zealand. More…

We use the concept of time-space paths (Gordon, Holland and Lahelma 2000) to explore how young people negotiate manageable educational pathways and experience educational engagement in alternative educational settings. For many young people in alternative settings, tight time-space paths (e.g. attending school on time) led to their disengagement…

In recent decades, it has become the case that leaving school early may no longer be the conclusion of one's educational experiences, with more alternative educational spaces for disenfranchised learners becoming accessible. This qualitative study examines the experiences of 14 young adults in Ireland who, having left their mainstream school prior…

Young people who graduate from high school are more likely to transition into further study or training, get a job and earn higher wages. However, many young people with the highest needs leave or become excluded from mainstream school settings and some complete their education in alternative education contexts. This paper shares reflections from…

Flexible Learning Options (FLOs) attempt to enable secondary school completion by young people for whom 'mainstream' schooling has not worked well. Despite their proliferation and the increased research attention to understanding the mechanisms at work within such programmes, quantitative methods have not been utilised to compare participants'…

The primary purpose of Flexi schools in Australia is to serve students for whom traditional school has not been a good fit and are largely comprised of students who have disengaged and disconnected from traditional education. The reasons behind disengagement are diverse, but young people in Flexis typically have in common a negative prior…

Alternative provision (AP) caters for pupils marginalised and excluded from mainstream schooling. In England, it is conceptualised in policy as providing education to support behavioural improvements (pupils are directed off-site to improve behaviour). There is limited research on the experiences of those who work in AP settings. That which does…

This study investigates the change in students' cognitive engagement as a result of participation in a Flexible Learning Programme. Using an understanding of engagement as both a process and a relationship between the students and their school, we sought to determine whether students' perception of competency, willingness to engage, and…

From working with tutors in New Zealand alternative education centres and through phenomenological poetic inquiry, the author of this article discusses approaches he found that re-engage disenfranchised young people in education. These approaches were not based upon knowledge tutors gained from teaching qualifications, but rather developed from…

Like many countries, Australia has persistent rates of school exclusion, juvenile offending and recidivism. In response, there has been a growth of 'alternative education' provision -- interventions that support young people to engage with learning opportunities outside the conventional education system. While alternative education programs…

Community-based alternative education is situated on the margins in relation to mainstream education. Young people attending these learning sites are often characterised as "disengaged learners", who have fallen through the cracks of the traditional schooling system. The aim of this project was to use participatory visual methods with…

Alternative education provision in Ireland is under-researched. This paper is a qualitative investigation of the perspectives of a purposive sample of ten teachers on curriculum, pedagogy and assessment in their respective alternative settings of a voluntary education centre, a Youthreach centre and a post-primary special school. 'Funds of…

This paper examines the value of a recovery theory framework for understanding the practices employed by teachers at Flexible Learning Option (FLO) schools. Recovery theory is a psychological framework with an empowerment focus that looks to assist people to live a satisfying, contributing and hopeful life. Key elements of the recovery theory…

Flexible Learning Options (FLOs) are common across many countries to enable secondary school completion by young people for whom mainstream schooling has not worked well. Access to high-quality education through FLOs is a social justice issue. In the context of an inclination among governments for accountability and evidence-based policy, as well…