Alternative Education
Kathy Paxton, Director
Behavioral Health & Education Initiatives
From August 2000 to June 2007, the Center supported the work of the Ohio Alternative Education Advisory Council, the Ohio Department of Education, and the more than 500 school districts participating in the Ohio Alternative Education Challenge Grant Program. The program was created by the Ohio General Assembly to address the growing numbers of school-aged students who displayed behavioral problems, such as truancy, bullying, threatening other students or school staff, and disrupting class.
The Center played a key role in the overall design of the program and the professional development of education and supportive services staff working in the Challenge Grant projects. Each year of the project, the Center conducted mid-year and year-end evaluations of the statewide program. As a result of the Center’s efforts, all of the programs incorporated evidence-based principles in their work and many implemented evidence-based practices.
From 2000 to 2007, the program has helped 142,000 Ohio students get back on track with their education and their lives. Nearly 85 percent of program participants achieved positive outcomes by successfully returning to their regular classrooms, advancing a grade level, earning a GED, or entering employment. Many participants achieved multiple positive outcomes. Given that most participants entered the program because they were going to be suspended or expelled from school, these successes are truly remarkable.
Downloadable Support Documents
Sponsor: Ohio Department of Education
