Purpose
Alternative schools and programs of choice must meet the same standards for curriculum, instruction, and student performance as traditional schools, but they meet these objectives by offering a different structure, learning philosophy, or academic emphasis. This enables them to accommodate different student needs, interests and learning styles, and foster student engagement and achievement. As authorized by California Education Code (EC) sections 58500–58512, alternative schools and programs of choice are voluntary for districts, teachers, and students.
Program/Services
The premise behind alternative schools of choice is that “one size doesn’t fit all”— in other words, not all students will thrive or reach their full potential in the traditional comprehensive school. Alternative schools and programs of choice are often characterized by responsiveness to instructional style differences, the positive consequences of being a school of choice, and small unit size. The effective use of such instructional strategies as independent study, community-based education, focused or thematic education, and flexible scheduling increases attendance and improves performance.
The authorizing 1976 legislation allows districts to establish alternative schools and programs of choice that are designed to meet the following objectives:
- Maximize the opportunity for students to develop the positive values of self-reliance, initiative, kindness, spontaneity, resourcefulness, courage, creativity, responsibility, and joy.
- Recognize that the best learning takes place when the student learns because of his or her desire to learn.
- Maintain a learning situation in which maximum use is made of student self-motivation and in which students are encouraged to use their own time to follow their own interests. These interests may be conceived totally and independently by the student or as a result of a presentation by the student's teacher(s) of choice.
- Maximize the opportunity for teachers, parents/guardians/caregivers, and students to develop the learning process and its subject matter. This opportunity shall be a continuous, permanent process.
- Maximize the opportunity for students, teachers, and parents/guardians/caregivers to react continuously to the changing world, including, but not limited to, the community in which the school is located.
EC Section 58507 states that these schools "shall be operated in a manner to maximize the opportunity for improvement of the general school curriculum by innovative methods and ideas developed within the alternative school operation and to improve the general level of education in the state of California.” To accomplish this, EC Section 58509 authorizes the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, upon application of a school district, to waive virtually any part of the EC.
Funding
General Fund apportionment based on average daily attendance.
