Previous Issues

Trends

What lies ahead for alternative schools? It appears there will be a growing number of alternative middle schools and perhaps even elementary schools. For example, until recently Idaho recognized only alternative high schools, but in 1996 began recognizing grades seven and eight as well. Compared to the high school student who attends an alternative school, there appears more potential for the middle school student to resume education in a mainstream (and usually less costly) high school.

Welfare reform may affect the population attending alternative schools though its impacts will vary from state to state. For instance, in order to receive welfare teenage parents will be required to live with their parents or under adult supervision. States will be authorized to require school attendance. School-age parents without a high school diploma or the equivalent will lose benefits if they do not attend school (Sullivan, 1997; Trotter, 1997).

Some alternative schools are reaching out to home schoolers. Many alternative schools already offer night school, summer school, and independent study; one school profiled in this booklet is developing online classes and tutorials for remote and homebound students of all ages. Another has the goal of becoming a community center.

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© 2001 Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

Date of Last Update: 09/19/2001
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