Key Questions: Answered
KQ: What is an Alternative Program?
An "alternative program" is an education program operated by a public or separate school board that emphasizes a particular language, culture, religion or subject-matter, or uses a particular teaching philosophy.
KQ: What is the background of Alternative Education in the province?
The 1988 School Act gave school boards the authority to respond to parents wanting increased choice in the education of their children by introducing the concept of alternative programs. Alternative programs were given the definition of programs that emphasize a particular language, culture, religion, subject matter or teaching philosophy.
KQ : Who can attend an alternative Program?
Section 45(1) of the School Act states that a board shall ensure that each of its resident students is provided with an education program consistent with the requirements of the School Act and its regulations. Section 45(3) states that a board shall enroll a resident student of the board, or of another board, in a school requested by the parent if, in the opinion of the board, there are sufficient resources and facilities available to accommodate the student.
Therefore, school boards must enroll a student in an alternative program of the parent’s choice if, in the opinion of the school board,
If a parent wants to register their child in an alternative program and it is determined that the student’s educational needs cannot be appropriately addressed in the program or that the program does not have sufficient resources and/or facilities to support the student, after consultation with the parent, the board may refuse to enroll the student in the alternative program. In such cases, it is important for the board to communicate clearly with parents its decision and the rationale for the decision. If this decision is made by an employee of the board, this decision may be appealed to the board by the parent of the student (or the student, if the student is 16 years of age or older).
KQ: What students might benefit from alternative programs?
Alternative programs, as programs of choice, are established to meet the specific educational interests or needs of students and their parents. Not all alternative programs are appropriate for every student. Because alternative programs are programs of choice, a student profile should be developed so that students, parents and the board can make decisions that are in the best educational interest of a student. A student profile helps parents and the board determine if the alternative program will meet student needs, support student success and ensure that a student will not be educationally disadvantaged by being enrolled in the alternative program. The student profile should be part of all documentation that is provided to students and parents interested in the alternative program so that they can make an informed decision as to the appropriateness of the alternative program.
Some ideas that may be included in a student profile are the following.
KQ: What is the role of the teacher in Alternative Programs?
The role of teachers is set out in section 18 of the School Act. The role of teachers in an alternative program is not substantially different from the role of teachers in any other program. It is essential that teachers in an alternative program be philosophically aligned with the particular program, and the hiring processes should ensure that teacher candidates have a full understanding of the nature of the program and the expectations placed on its staff. Cain (2001) highlights some teacher characteristics that may apply to an alternative program.
An ideal teacher:
*Resources consulted: https://education.alberta.ca/alternative-and-outreach-programs/alternative-programs/?searchMode=3
An "alternative program" is an education program operated by a public or separate school board that emphasizes a particular language, culture, religion or subject-matter, or uses a particular teaching philosophy.
KQ: What is the background of Alternative Education in the province?
The 1988 School Act gave school boards the authority to respond to parents wanting increased choice in the education of their children by introducing the concept of alternative programs. Alternative programs were given the definition of programs that emphasize a particular language, culture, religion, subject matter or teaching philosophy.
KQ : Who can attend an alternative Program?
Section 45(1) of the School Act states that a board shall ensure that each of its resident students is provided with an education program consistent with the requirements of the School Act and its regulations. Section 45(3) states that a board shall enroll a resident student of the board, or of another board, in a school requested by the parent if, in the opinion of the board, there are sufficient resources and facilities available to accommodate the student.
Therefore, school boards must enroll a student in an alternative program of the parent’s choice if, in the opinion of the school board,
- the student’s educational needs can be appropriately addressed in the program; and
- the program has sufficient resources and facilities to accommodate the student.
If a parent wants to register their child in an alternative program and it is determined that the student’s educational needs cannot be appropriately addressed in the program or that the program does not have sufficient resources and/or facilities to support the student, after consultation with the parent, the board may refuse to enroll the student in the alternative program. In such cases, it is important for the board to communicate clearly with parents its decision and the rationale for the decision. If this decision is made by an employee of the board, this decision may be appealed to the board by the parent of the student (or the student, if the student is 16 years of age or older).
KQ: What students might benefit from alternative programs?
Alternative programs, as programs of choice, are established to meet the specific educational interests or needs of students and their parents. Not all alternative programs are appropriate for every student. Because alternative programs are programs of choice, a student profile should be developed so that students, parents and the board can make decisions that are in the best educational interest of a student. A student profile helps parents and the board determine if the alternative program will meet student needs, support student success and ensure that a student will not be educationally disadvantaged by being enrolled in the alternative program. The student profile should be part of all documentation that is provided to students and parents interested in the alternative program so that they can make an informed decision as to the appropriateness of the alternative program.
Some ideas that may be included in a student profile are the following.
- A language-based program might state that, after a certain grade, students who are not fluent in the language would not be admitted to the program because the student would not have the language to be successful.
- A science-based program might state that, to be successful, students should have achieved a mark of at least 75% in science in the previous year.
- A dance-based program might specify that the student must have the ability to participate in a physically active environment.
- Some alternative programs may have “audition criteria” where the student would audition to gain admittance because the level of instruction would be geared to students already skilled in the particular alternative focus.
- the program is appropriate to meet the student’s needs and the student will be successful
- the program has sufficient resources and facilities to accommodate the student. If parents want to register their child in an alternative program and the board determines that the program is not appropriate to meet the student’s educational needs or the board does not have sufficient resources and/or facilities to support the student in the program, after consultation with the parents, the board may refuse to enroll the student in the alternative program. In such cases, it is important to communicate clearly with parents the particular student profile criteria and how a student who does not meet the criteria may be educationally disadvantaged in the alternative program. The board’s plan should describe how student selection will be made if there is not enough room in an alternative program for all students who apply.
KQ: What is the role of the teacher in Alternative Programs?
The role of teachers is set out in section 18 of the School Act. The role of teachers in an alternative program is not substantially different from the role of teachers in any other program. It is essential that teachers in an alternative program be philosophically aligned with the particular program, and the hiring processes should ensure that teacher candidates have a full understanding of the nature of the program and the expectations placed on its staff. Cain (2001) highlights some teacher characteristics that may apply to an alternative program.
An ideal teacher:
- is philosophically aligned with the program
- is aware that they are an integral part of the program and that the program is an integral part of the school, if it is located in a setting where both the alternative program and a traditional program are offered (dual track)
- is able to clearly articulate the alternative program vision and mission
- works well with parents and/or Alternative Program Advisory Groups
- works in consultation with staff in the program and, if it is located in a dualtrack setting, with other staff in the school
- participates in the implementation and growth of the alternative program
- takes initiatives to help the program grow and succeed
- is comfortable working within the mission and vision of the program
- avoids competitive comments
- recognizes that the alternative program is not better, but is different
- is comfortable with both alternative and regular programs and acknowledges the potential of both programs to provide success for students.
*Resources consulted: https://education.alberta.ca/alternative-and-outreach-programs/alternative-programs/?searchMode=3