High school graduation is a meaningful indicator of student achievement and a stronger predictor of long-term quality of life outcomes compared to student test scores. The existing body of research has been limited on whether charter attendance improves high school graduation and whether charter attendance helps narrow the graduation gap among…

The purpose of this action research study was to expand preservice teacher perspectives on the possibilities of schooling through engagement with nontraditional and progressive learning environments. Nine preservice teachers were given the opportunity to experience schools on the learning edge and develop perspectives on what is possible in…

This study explored the use of hybrid online learning methods as employed in an alternative school environment in the rural Midwest. Using Self-Regulative Theory as a theoretical lens, this study discusses how self-regulative abilities play a role in the academic success of students of varying backgrounds. Findings suggest that both alternative…

This autoethnographic study aims to answer the following questions: How can a school leader design a culturally sensitive, inclusive alternative education program? What type of systemic change does an alternative school leader believe to be most effective in supporting students in attaining a high school diploma and a solid postsecondary plan to…

Alternative high school students are a demographic often relegated to the margins throughout their educational journey, stripped of the agency necessary for them to authentically engage in their learning. This Action Research study aimed to investigate the relationship between attendance and student engagement, with a particular emphasis on how…

This qualitative case study focused on examining the perceptions of alternative schoolteachers' who use restorative practice circles regarding student relationships, classroom climate, and student connectedness. The problem that was addressed in this study is that some teachers find it difficult to build relationships with at-risk students which…

The digital age and global technological advancement have brought about unprecedented changes in a wide range of global sectors. The educational sector, as a sector that produces a wide range of professionals, necessitates numerous changes and advancements in educational administration. The introduction and integration of boot camps is one method…

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…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the decision-making process of school leaders in ALE settings when determining the resources they provide and whether the resources provided ensure that these students are successful in the classroom, graduate on time, or earn a high school equivalency diploma. In the study, there were 10…

Students with high incidence disabilities are dropping out of high school at alarming rates. Compared with other demographic groups, students with disabilities have the lowest graduation rates of any group in the nation. The substandard graduation rates have remained stagnant for two decades, indicating that programmatic attempts to address the…

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…

It is estimated that 1 in 2 young people who are educated in Alternative Provision (AP) educational settings have social, emotional and mental health difficulties. However, the extent to which the mental health needs of these young people are currently being met by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is less clear. In this…

Alternative education is broadly defined in the United States and includes variability around reasons for enrolling, choice in attending, and experiences once enrolled. In order to better understand these factors within alternative schools, this qualitative interview study, based in critical theory, included 22 current and former students from 12…

This study discusses the needs and challenges associated with Latino males' treatment in public schools. The primary concern is how nationally, only one in two Latino males graduate from U.S. high schools (Schott Foundation for Public Education in Black Lives Matter: The Schott 50 State Report on Public Education and Black Males,…

The need for new and innovative alternatives to traditional high schools has never been greater. Alternative schools operate today as a secret, hidden educational system, often providing much needed support for at-risk students. These schools often have little to no accountability for student achievement. Enrollment at alternative schools is…