- Collection:
- Atlanta University and Clark Atlanta University Theses and Dissertations
- Title:
- A descriptive analysis of selected alternative education programs in urban school districts, 1981
- Creator:
- George, Claude C.
- Date of Original:
- 1981-04-01
- Subject:
- Degrees, Academic
Dissertations, Academic - Location:
- United States, Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, 33.749, -84.38798
- Medium:
- theses
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Description:
- A descriptive analysis of selected alternative education programs in urban school districts. Purpose The purpose of this study was to provide a meaningful analysis of the structure, organization, and funding practices of selected alternative education programs by determining: 1. If selected school systems have board policies governing the establishment and delivery of alternative education programs. 2. To what degree are alternative education program's integrated into the general operation of the school system. 3. To determine the major source of funding for alternative education programs. Population The population of this study consisted of twenty eight urban school districts in the Council of Great City Schools which had a city wide population of over 300,000 or system enrollment of 70,000 or more and offered alternative education programs. Method A questionnaire developed by the writer was sent to the superintendent of each school district; of the twenty eight, twenty four districts responded. The Alternative Education Questionnaire (AEQ) was used to collect data germane to this study. Specifically, the AEQ consisted of twenty two test items relative to assessing the operational plans of selected school systems with alternative education programs (AEP). An informal assessment in three areas of school operation included the following areas: 1. School policies governing AEP. 2. Alternative education and the school program. 3. AEP funding sources. Findings The data submitted by the twenty four school districts that responded were analyzed to obtain information pertaining to demographical and descriptive characteristics, organizational structure, types of alternative education programs funding, and education policies. This information was examined in relation to school districts of high, medium, and low school populations. Analysis of the demographical and descriptive information revealed that: 1. Over 85 percent of the schools had student populations of less than 600. 2. Slightly more than half of these schools maintained a K 6 grade structure. 3. Over 80 percent of the schools have operated for ten years or less. 4. Almost 50 percent of the participants come from families having an annual income of less than $15,000. 5. About 95 percent of the programs were funded from local, state, or federal sources. 6. There was a large variation in the source of funding among the large, medium, and small school districts. With regard to organizational structure: 1. About 90 percent of the districts had a written organizational structure. 2. The alternative education program tended to be an integral part of the regular program and also of the community. 3. Administratively these programs were most often placed in the instructional division and administered by an assistant superintendent, principal or director. Examination of educational policies governing alternative education programs indicated: 1. A written state board policy was generally absent, but there was frequent occurrence of a written local board policy. 2. In general, written definitions for staff members, parents, students, and sponsors were in effect. 3. Approximately 85 percent of the districts included outside agencies in the planning of alternative education programs. 4. Wide variation in educational policy appeared among the high, medium, and low population distructs. Conclusions Analyses presented in this paper indicate several positive aspects of the administration of alternative education programs: The assignment of students is the primary procedure for admission; no district reports that students are forced to enroll. The principal generally serves as the administrative leader. Alternative education programs are an integral part of the local system and the community. Staff members and students have a high percentage rate of written duties and responsibilities. Areas of concern include the lack of evidence of an operational local or state written policy; failure, on the part of many school districts, to explicate specific goals and purposes of their alternative programs; funding apparently derived from sources other than local general funds.
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:1981_george_claude_c
- Rights Holder:
- Clark Atlanta University
- Holding Institution:
- Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library
- Rights:
-
