NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
ERIC Number: ED355328
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1992
Pages: 90
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Minnesota's Educational Options for At-Risk Youth: Urban Alternative Schools and Area Learning Centers.
Adelman, Nancy E.
A study was done of two Minnesota State "second chance" program options designed to help at-risk students to complete high school. The options are: (1) private urban alternative programs, administered by non-sectarian, community-based organizations principally serving teenagers from Minneapolis and St. Paul (Minnesota); and (2) the Area Learning Centers (ALCs), which had originally been exclusively located in suburban and rural areas of the state but which are now available in the two major cities as well. The data for the study were gathered at the program sites in the spring of 1990. Student samples were drawn in advance of survey administration from lists of enrollees provided by the ALCs and urban alternative schools. The two organizations serve different populations: students in the urban alternative schools were 57 percent minority, while the ALCs drew only 8 percent minority. However, both programs serve reentry students and low income families and at both programs reasons for enrollment was to help students stay in school. Analysis of the data indicate extremely high levels of satisfaction with the programs, although students in the urban schools valued smaller classes while students at the ALCs valued being able to proceed at their own pace. In addition, the proportion of ALC participants who expected to obtain some postsecondary education appeared to have doubled. An appendix on study methodology and an appendix containing three student surveys are included. (JB)
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Policymakers
Language: English
Sponsor: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (ED), Washington, DC. Div. of Career Education.
Authoring Institution: Policy Studies Associates, Inc., Washington, DC.; Westat, Inc., Rockville, MD.; Minnesota State Dept. of Education, St. Paul.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A