[NLA] Increased Number of Young Adults in Adult Education Programs

[JCretella@aol.com]

Deborah, Before I retired I was Director of Adult Education and Principal of 
the Alternative High School. It was no coincidence. I was tired of getting 
the 16 yr old "troublemakers" (as they were called). They were two young to 
take on AE and it wasn't fair to the community to just through them out. So 
my guidance counselor (ADULT ED Counselor) and I put together a program for 
an alternative program. The administration (k-12 guys and gals) were not tto 
happy but the board of ed thought it was a great idea. The alternative 
students did not "drop out",,,they kept their  high school tosters. The 
school was located in a location away from the high schools near the adult ed 
center...it was important for it to have its oqn location...It was limited to 
20 students who went through a screening process. The decision to admit them 
was up to the Adult Ed Director (that"s why the high school principals were 
not too happy) Today that program is a model in the state. And we were able 
to deal with the drop out problem on our terms. Over the years about 20-30% 
of alternative students have gone on tp post-secondary programs. There's a 
lot more that goes with the story but the concept of alternative high school 
is a good one when it is not used as a dumpimg ground for k-12. The system 
now has an alternative program for middle school kids...Hope this sheds some 
light on the issue.
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