Volusia County & St. Lucie CountyJanuary 2010

Andy GriffithsLesley Messier Dave PerkinsChris Valdez

Carol EisenmanJeff Arnott

Program Design-Both counties had recent experiences with

struggling alternative education programs (within the past 5-10 years) where schools were “dumping grounds” for students & staff alike

Both districts were consistently frustrated with the lack of success in prior programs

Both determined a total redesign was required

Solutions – Program Entrance & DesignFirst and most important job: Help the

Student! Schools demonstrated a positive focus

Ratio of classrooms is small, 15-20 to one teacher provides for maximum individual attention for students

Combined the required (disciplinary) alternate education and remedial (voluntary) program to enhance the FTE funding

Program serves both middle school (MS)and high school(HS)

Solutions – Program Entrance & DesignProgram was developed by and the with support of

the superintendent/ board and district & school staff

Program entrance: required a committee to determine if placement was indeed appropriate

Regular meetings held to evaluate individual students entrance/progress/exit

Guidance Services insured that students were monitored at alternate school and returning school

Solutions –SupportSchool board and district dedicated to

supporting the program financially

Site has own school number that differs from the home school

EBD students with disciplinary issues were also housed there, with the ability to transition out in to the voluntary program as behavior permitted

Teachers are multi certified and HQ

Solutions –SupportFunding was moved from SAI funds, Title I and

ESE (for ESE aides and support non-instructional)

Bus service provided for all students outside the 2 mile radius

Collaboration with the DJJ program (residential and treatment facilities). No students went from DJJ straight to the regular school, all first transitioned in alternate education then to the home school if appropriate.

MCSD-Lower Keys Current FinancialMCSD currently spends $176,868.00 for the

Ombudsman program serves average 36 MS/HS students

Solutions – Administration & TeachersAdministrator was carefully selected, the individual

believed all students can succeed & shared a passion for helping students with behavior, drug and family problems

Site administrator fully involved in all principal meetings

Site administrator played an important role in development of programs and was responsible for staff selections, evaluations, terminations and development

Staff were selected based on the similar attributes that the administrator held.

Solutions- Teachers & Support StaffTeachers received PD, materials and all classroom

supports that the “regular” teachers received

Teachers were hired with the understanding that they are the one responsible for students success, which allowed for flexible scheduling and supervision

Staff attended all meetings relating to the child including those outside the school, such as home visits

Solutions – Program DesignThe programs were designed to meet the following

goals:Get the child on/or above the grade level maintaining a

2.0 since their arrival at the program

Strict conduct rules and rewards

Foundation of mutual respect between staff and students.

Staff & students follow a character program ingrained in all subject areas

Students’ needs were of primary concern

Solutions – Program DesignProgram uses the same credit retrieval in the alt

ed/ DJJ/Keys Ctr /DOP program as is used in the regular school. This provides a seamless transition for students who return to the “regular” school

Students (including voluntary and involuntary) may choose to remain, based on space and the committee recommendation, they may be allowed to continue into the voluntary program

There is no differentiation between voluntary students and the required placement students. All are treated as though this is their school

Solutions - DisciplineNo cell phones, iPods etc… allowed on campus

One site required uniforms, though not traditional uniforms

Mandatory drug and alcohol counseling for all students

Career development classes offered

Solutions - DisciplineCharacter program infused throughout the school

Principal met with students and faculty daily

Students recognized weekly and rewarded based upon behavior goals

Teachers collaborate to best meet students needs

Flexible Scheduling

Solutions- Teachers & Support StaffWeekly PD training for all staff

Shortened school day to provide common planning

time i.e. class transition fully supervised only taking

less that one minute

Restroom and other breaks only with adult supervision

Solutions- Teachers & Support Staff

Teachers eat lunch with the students modeling

appropriate social behavior

Teachers used creative hands on activities to

engage students

Teachers Care!!!

Solutions- Re-entryThe committee met monthly to assess

entry/progress/exit of the program

Principals involved and have the understanding that once a child served the required time they were given a fresh start at their home school, no paperwork = no entry

Transition meeting was provided for teachers when a child re-entered the “regular” school setting

Students were allowed to stay if the alternate setting was the most appropriate and successful placement, voluntary program

Team RecommendationsClear entry/ progress and exit procedures

outlined and implemented with fidelity

Combine the required (disciplinary) Alt Ed program & the (voluntary) to create a combination program that will be supported by FTE, District & grant funding

Team RecommendationsPlace high quality administrator with vision and

passion to meet this challenging population’s needs

Regular committee Meetings to discuss/ evaluate students and programs success, modify as necessary

Administrator has the authority to hire/ fire and evaluate staff to ensure success, no arbitrary placement of staff

Team RecommendationsInstitute program credit retrieval like Blue

Ridge Learning to ensure seamless transition

School will receive a separate school number

Support the school, administrator and programs by the board, superintendent and schools

Team RecommendationsPrincipals will be trained on appropriate

referrals, including emergency placements

District will provide equal resources and training to the program staff

Positive Behavior Programs required at all schools, not only Alt Ed.

Team Recommendations Is this the direction we want to go? We can create a very

positive program for struggling students that will help them achieve

Next step, Carol will create an outline of the program in actual terms including budget, location, evaluation etc… by April 1st, 2010

Include the budget and allocations in the 2010 budget process

Shift allocations, resources to the possible site

Projected opening date August 2010