Necessity of Classroom Community for the Academic Success of Students in an Alternative Education Program

Abstract

This poster describes the qualities that an alternative education program should have in order to increase the academic success of students. Principals and teachers recommend students for alternative placements based on failure or perceived future issues in a general education setting in the hopes that the student will be more academically successful. Removing students from a setting in which they are failing seems like a logical choice, but do the students perceive it as a good thing? Studies have shown that students in alternative education programs tend to be more academically successful for two reasons. Students feel that teachers and staff in an alternative setting are more invested in their education which gives students motivation to do well. Secondly, alternative programs are known for small class sizes which allow students to receive more one on one instruction. The goal of this study is to determine if an alternative setting is beneficial for student’s academic success. This will be determined based on students perceived success in both the alternative and general education setting.