Let’s face it. A traditional school approach
doesn’t work for every student... and that’s okay. Fortunately, there are
options in place for students interested in pursuing alternative pathways.
Here are alternative options parents and students can consider.
1) High School Equivalency:
Students who are at least 17 (or 16 with a
waiver) are eligible to pursue a high school
equivalency diploma better known as the GED and currently renamed the TASC. In most districts students are not on their own. For students
pursuing an equivalency there is often help for students prepare to advance to
college and pursue career opportunities. Ask if your district has college and
career coaches to help students plan for their futures. Some districts may have
a workforce development program offering professional training and paid
internships. More and more districts are also offering these students
opportunities to walk for graduation and attend prom as well. If they don’t
have a conversation and see what can be arranged.
While some parents and students consider an equivalency diploma to
have a stigma associated with it, others see it as an innovative and efficient
ticket allowing students to pursue academic or work passions. It’s also
important to remember, that in the modern job market few people place their
high school graduation on their LinkedIn resume.
2) Virtual School:
Many states now have virtual learning options available for
students such as Nevada
Connections Academy. Benefits of such
options include that they are available at no cost, they provide a flexible
pace and schedule, they can be taking from anywhere in the world. This is a
safe option for students who have had issues with face-to-face connections,
bullying, or social anxiety. If you don’t have a virtual school in your state,
schools such as Florida
Virtual accept out-of-state
students.
3) Homeschool/Unschool:
Homeschooling is legal in every state. There are a lot of myths
and misconceptions about homeschooling. If you scratch below the surface you’ll
learn some important facts about homeschooling. For instance, there is a high
college acceptance rate for homeschoolers. You can receive a high diploma as a
homeschooler. You don’t have to have parents or tutors teach you. There are
lots of innovative options to learn such as jobs, internships, apprenticeships,
job shadowing, and more. Those completely new to this idea can enroll in a
program like Pacific
Sands Academy which will walk parents
and students through all the requirements for a high school diploma as well as
provide support in developing a personal learning plan.
4) Career & Technical Education School:
Career and technical education (CTE) schools fell out of favor in
the age of No Child Left Behind and College for All, but to the relief of many
students, teachers, and parents, they are making a comeback. It doesn’t take a
genius to realize that not everyone needs to pursue a career requiring college
and that there are many honorable, high-salaried careers that don’t require a
degree. The best place to pursue such options in New York City which has the
largest portfolio of options that train about 60,000
students a year. If you visit a quality CTE school like Co-op Tech as you walk
the school halls, you will see students who work in fully operational beauty and
barber shops, students constructing real buildings, an eyeglass repair store,
car repair, and students fixing cars. Students are set up with paid
internships and a real shot at a viable career upon completion of the
program.
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| Classrooms at Co-op Tech |
5) Drop In Options for Drop Outs:
Many districts have options for students 21 or younger who have
dropped out or fallen behind on credits. This varies from state to state and
city to city. In places like New York City options include:
A) Young Adult Borough Centers: These are evening academic programs designed to
meet the needs of high school students who might be considering dropping out
because they are behind or because they have adult responsibilities that make
attending school in the daytime difficult. Students attend part time and in the
evening to earn a high school diploma. Students between the ages of 17.5 and
21, who are in their fifth year of high school and have earned at least 17
credits, are eligible.
B) Transfer Schools: These are small,
full-time high schools designed to re-engage students. These schools look at
the credits a student has and provides a personalized plan for them to complete
school providing extra support to help students meet academic and personal
goals. Support includes access to workshops, tutoring, Regents prep, and
extracurricular activities. Schools support students in developing college and
career plans for life after high school. Many Transfer Schools have the added
component of Learning to Work, which offer students paid
internships, job and career development, and more. Hear more from a student
perspective in the following video.
6) Alternative School Models
There are both public (Big Picture, Schoolwide Enrichment) and
non-public (Agile, Montessori, Democratic) models that provide passion-based
learning options that may be better suited for students. These models generally
do away with traditional approaches that include teachers, tests, and textbooks
and instead invite students to discover and pursue their passions. This post provides more details and additional information n each model.
Your Turn
What do you think? Are any of these options ones
you think could work with students you know? Have you seen any of them in
practice? Which ones resonate with you for the type of students you encounter?
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