NCJ Number
207344
Date Published
2003
Length
30 pages
Annotation
Under the effective continuum of developmental community-based programs and services for at-risk children, this chapter provides a detailed explanation for planning, operating, and expanding an alternative school.
Abstract
Considered useful for school administrators and educators, this chapter addresses and presents three major components or phases of an alternative school program: planning, operating, and expanding. It highlights pre-implementation planning strategies, emphasizing the necessary components for successfully planning and operating an alternative school program. Phase 1 on planning an alternative-school program entails identifying key leadership and establishing a governance board, conducting a needs assessment, developing a mission statement, conducting a school evaluation plan, developing a resource plan and marketing strategy, formulating a long-range or strategic plan, as well as implementing an action plan, profiling key staff, outlining job responsibilities, site selection, and the outlining of job duties. Phase 2 on operating an alternative-school program includes: developing an operational plan and administrative structure, justifying resources and fostering key service provision, communication within the school, and other relevant operational issues. The final phase or component is determining the expansion of an alternative-school which includes: (1) conducting a readiness assessment; (2) updating existing documents; (3) determining the service-to-needs gap; and (4) keys for successful expansion. As programs expand and grow, their nature and content need to become more flexible and adaptive with more specific and focused programs being developed and implemented which address unique adolescent problem behaviors. References