This guide is designed as a reference for District and School personnel working with English learners (ELs). The content of the guide represents a compilation of information, examples, and resources. This guide is a living document and subject to frequent updates. It is recommended to review the document online rather than printing a hard copy.

This policy analysis project is designed at uncovering specific standards that can be utilized by a school district in developing and evaluating their Type II Alternative Schools to ensure high levels of student success within their programs. While there is a substantive body of research in alternative education, there are no universally accepted…

A principal of an alternative school lists and elaborates on imperatives for developing an alternative school program. (Editor)

Using Terrence Deal's four developmental stages of alternative schools, the authors analyze the development of two Lansing, Michigan, alternative schools (the Capitol Alternative Education Program and the Re-Entry Program). Deal's four stages are the euphoric stage, the psychic upheaval stage, the dissatisfaction stage, and resolution (either…

The contract learning program at Bristol Community College (Fall River Mass.) was developed to offer students of diverse backgrounds an optional method of pursuing their educational goals. This document reviews the history of the program, and proposes an alternate administrative procedure appropriate to learning contracts. The document includes a…

After considering the objectives of higher education and its role in the socioeconomic development of a country, the author analyzes the relationship between the world of work and the higher education system, exploring alternative higher education structures. (Author/MP)

The views of 30 members of the Montana Commission on Post-Secondary Education and of a large sector of the Montana population as to the most important "issues and questions facing Montana postsecondary education" were solicited. The replies were categorized into the following subject areas: Goals, objectives and Priorities; Governance,…

This bibliography is divided into eight subsections. The first section lists articles on community schools and schools without walls. The second encompasses the effects of alternative education. Student attitudes, academic achievement, and parental reaction are some of the variables assessed in the articles in this section. The third section is on…

In the early summer of 1972 the Institute for Services to Education formed a small task force group to conduct a limited but systematic inquiry into the status of Black Studies programs at a selected number of American institutions of higher education. The major purposes of the study are: (1) the formulation of a workable definition of Black…

It is essential that those who aspire to lead nontraditional programs have a realistic grasp of the political expertise such leadership requires. Leaders of nontraditional programs have five special concerns: securing licensure, reassuring constituencies, marketing, guaranteeing program continuation, and mastering the art of compromise. (MLW)

Explores the option of using distance education courses as a viable alternative to building classrooms and facilities. Distance education could be one solution to the financial and physical facilities problems universities may have in dealing with the predicted economic and enrollment conditions. (AEF)

Outlines four categories of "prior" questions to consider before embarking on a distance learning program: "Everyone is doing it"; "The promise of income"; "Computers and networks"; and "Potential students." Identifies other questions that focus on types of individual needs and how they are being met; options that could be made available; problems…

The history of CAEL under its various names (Cooperative Assessment of Experiential Learning (1974-77), Council for the Advancement of Experiential Learning (1977-84), and Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (1985-present) is documented. Chapter One analyzes the context in which CAEL was founded, looking at nontraditional education in the…

Our Lady of the Lake College (OLL) has been engaged since early 1974 in coordinated development of a competency-based learning program. After tracing the program's evolution from its beginnings in 1971, described are: (1) competency formulation, evaluation and curriculum; (2) experimental programs - the Mentor Program and the Personal Development…

This paper investigates the claim that better curriculum planning will be achieved if educators specify educational objectives before selecting learning activities. After consideration of what is meant by "better planning," the author concludes that this claim for planning by objectives is not valid since an objective can neither be a…