Believing in students is what's behind the best alternative schools. Profiles of various alternative education programs reveal stringent requirements for students' self-discipline and responsibility for learning. Some districts are turning to alternative programs and schools in an effort to keep their regular schools safe. (MLF)

The Leaving School Early (LSE) Program, established in 1975, is designed for 14- and 15-year-olds who find none of the public school programs suitable. Applicants are assessed by a social worker and an individualized work or education contract written. LSE participants are monitored by teacher advisors. (SJL)

The Career Intern Program is an alternative school for dropouts and potential dropouts, which enables these students to complete high school, improve their basic skills, and acquire occupational knowledge. This report briefly describes the program and its students, presents 1975 evaluation results, and lists critical features necessary for…

The goal of the FOCUS project is the development and implementation of an alternative school program for high school students which will provide relevant opportunities for student growth, both personal and academic, and thereby reduce the number of dropouts, academic failures, and pupil indifference and disenchantment. Part I of the document deals…

This resource directory presents profiles of 86 programs serving at-risk students at all grade levels in Vermont schools in order to share useful information about current programs and services. Educators and others can benefit from considering programs and practices already in place and adopting or adapting these to meet the need of their…

The Middle College High School (MCHS) in Tennessee is an alternative school located on the Shelby State Community College (SSCC) campus, designed to provide special counseling, college preparation, and access to SSCC facilities for potential high school dropouts who have the capacity for secondary and postsecondary success. The program, which was…

This paper describes a proposed alternative public high school, the Metropolitan Corporate Academy, a joint project of private and public institutions including the New York City Public Schools and designed to serve at-risk students. An overview notes the high New York City dropout rate and the fragmented nature of most of the programs offered in…

This guide is based on the experiences and procedures generated in the FOCUS Project at a Portland, Oregon high school. The document includes an overview which addresses the basic FOCUS philosophy, overall goals and objectives, staffing, and student audience. The instruction section contains the curriculum model, cross peer instruction, utilizing…

The Urban Career Education Center (UCEC) is an alternative experimental high school for students classified as potential dropouts. It began operating in 1972 founded on the premise that the real goal of a worthwhile education should be the preparation of students for a productive and satisfying life in their chosen careers. The UCEC model includes…

The report describes the first year of development and present operation of the Career Intern Program (CIP), a component of the Urban Career Education Center's alternative school for high school dropouts and potential dropouts. The purpose of the program, operated by the Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America under a contract from the…

The Career Intern Program (CIP) is an alternative high school designed to enable disadvantaged and alienated dropouts or potential dropouts to earn regular high school diplomas, to prepare them for meaningful employment or postsecondary education, and to facilitate their transition from school to work. CIP components are instruction, counseling,…

This document is designed to identify several types of vocational education programs and activities that are in operation in California's school districts and communities. Although the document primarily focuses on California programs, information in all sections--particularly those titled Vocational Education Advisory Committees, Scope of…

A study assessed the impact of the Career Intern Program (CIP) on participating students. (The CIP is an alternative high school designed to enable disadvantaged and alienated dropouts or potential dropouts to earn regular high school diplomas, to prepare them for meaningful employment or postsecondary education, and to facilitate their transition…

Efforts of the Career Intern Program (CIP) to help urban youth get a basic education and further training or a paying job, are described in this report, written for the educator or school board member interested in a program combining basic and career education for high school youth who are not succeeding in regular schools (dropouts or those…

A study compared the Career Intern Program (CIP) with five other alternative youth programs. (The CIP is an alternative high school designed to enable disadvantaged dropouts or potential dropouts to earn regular high school diplomas, to prepare them for meaningful employment or postsecondary education, and to facilitate their transition from…