Educational Issue: Alternative Schools

Alternative schools can include many different pathways to a traditional education setting that may not be successful for all students. Alternative schools are not for ever student, although they do offer many individualized and collaborative environments to fully engage students. Some types of alternative schools include charter schools, religious schools, and schools that incorporate one focus such as naturist or artists. An example, Mountain School based in Vermont allows students to connect with nature through engaging in agricultural activities such as growing food and maintaining the environment of the school. In the video, the students discuss how their hands on approach allows for a break in the way regarding their traditional educational setting.

Alternative schools could also include students with disabilities, or emotional/social disabilities. Teenagers with emotional stresses and disabilities make up 20% of all students currently enrolled in the education system. Students who are not thriving in the a traditional setting of public education may thrive in a non-traditional alternative school.

Throughout the presentation, I saw myself teaching at an alternative school. I think the non-traditional approach to education is refreshing, and the ability to reach all students through the diversity of teaching styles and applications of demonstrating understanding.