As part of the yearly review on student assignment policies, our district is reviewing the term “alternative” when it is used as a label for schools. For example, in the enrollment guide there is an “alternative schools” section. Currently, many different types of schools, including ours, fall under the umbrella label of alternative schools. In our district, the list of alternative schools includes both schools that are founded on “progressive” educational approaches, as well as schools that are “re-entry” schools resulting in a term that is unclear to new parents to the district.

A “task force” has been formed to oversee the review of the alternative label—I am a member (it is always better to be part of the discussion when it involves a potential impact on our school). The first step is for schools to explain what the term alternative means to them in a survey. After gathering input from the elementary parent group, the middle school parent group, and the building leadership team, I have drafted the attached responses to the survey. If you are interested, take a look and send me your suggestions no later than Friday at noon.

Thanks for your help,

Jeff Clark