Studies of Alternative Education&

Dropout Prevention and Truancy

Department of Education Dropout Prevention Summit

October 28, 2008

2

About the Commission on Youth The Commission is a standing legislative commission of the

Virginia General Assembly. It was established in statue, §30-174

and §30-175, by the 1989 General Assembly.

It is comprised of twelve members: six State Delegates, three

State Senators and three citizens appointed by the Governor.

The Commission provides a legislative forum in which complex

issues related to Virginia youth and their families can be explored

and resolved.

3

About the Commission on Youth – Members From the Virginia House of Delegates

William H. Fralin, Jr., Chairman

Mamye E. BaCote

Robert H. Brink

Mark L. ColeChristopher K. Peace

Beverly J. Sherwood

From the Senate of VirginiaHarry B. Blevins, Vice Chair

R. Edward Houck

Yvonne B. Miller

Gubernatorial Appointments from the Commonwealth at LargeMr. Anthony L. Dale (Richmond)

Ms. Joy Myers (Arlington)

Mr. Marvin H. Wagner (Fredericksburg)

4

About the Commission on Youth – Role

Bridges the gap between the child-serving agencies and entities within the Commonwealth.

Conducts legislative studies to resolve issues.

Allows interested parties to become involved in the review and development of child and family policies.

Facilitates consensus.

5

About the Commission on Youth - Studies Virginia Code § 30-174 states that the Commission shall “study and provide recommendations addressing the needs of

and services to the Commonwealth’s youth and families.”

The Commission’s primary areas of concern are: Child Welfare Issues Education Child Health Children’s Mental Health Juvenile Justice

The Commission conducts legislative studies on issues related to youth and their families through research and data analysis.

Task forces and advisory groups are frequently utilized to provide subject-matter expertise and consensus.

6

Juvenile Justice/Public Safety Studies Juvenile Records (2003) Treatment Options for Juvenile Offenders with Mental Illness or Substance Abuse Disorders (2002) Female Juvenile Offenders (2002) Post-Dispositional Detention (2000) Assessment of the Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act (VJCCCA) Formula and the Role of the Offices on Youth

(2000) Juvenile Competency Issues in Legal Proceedings (1999) Evaluation of the VJCCCA (1998) Youth Gangs in Virginia (1997) Juvenile Justice System Reform (1996) Serious Juvenile Offenders (1993, 1994) Feasibility of Mandatory Ten Year Follow-up for Juvenile Sex Offenders (1994) Sexual Assault Cases (1993)

7

Mental Health Studies Collection of Evidence-based Treatment Modalities for Children and

Adolescents with Mental Health Treatment Needs (2003, 2005 and 2007)

At-Risk Youth Served in Out-of-State Residential Facilities (2006) Dissemination of the Collection of Effective Treatment Modalities

(2004) Treatment Options for Offenders with Mental Illness or Substance

Abuse Disorders (2002, 2004) Youth with Emotional Disturbance Requiring Out-of-home Treatment

(2001, 2002) Youth Suicide Prevention Plan (2001)

8

Domestic Relations Studies Strengthening Families (2005) Joint Custody and Visitation (1999) Model Child Custody and Visitation Schedule (1994)

General Studies Childhood Obesity (2004) Juvenile Records (2003) Confidentiality of Juvenile Records (1994)

Education Studies Truancy and School Dropout Prevention (2008/2009) Alternative Education Options (2006-2009) Student Discipline Statutes (2001) Truants and Runaways (1998, 1999) Educational Needs of Homeless Children (1998) Confidentiality of Juvenile Records (1993)

9

Truancy and School Dropout Prevention

&

Alternative Education Options

10

Truancy and School Dropout Prevention Study Mandate In 2008, Delegate Franklin P. Hall introduced HB 1263

which: required local school boards to implement school dropout

prevention programs and services which emphasize truancy prevention; and

amended the Code to address compliance with the compulsory school attendance law to strengthen the authority of local school boards.

Members of the House Education Committee determined that further study of these issues would be appropriate.

11

Truancy and School Prevention Dropout Study Mandate (cont.)

Virginia Commission on Youth established the following goals to: review state laws and policies relating to the enforcement of compulsory school

attendance, truancy and dropout prevention for consistency and clarity; review current initiatives overseen by the Board of Education (BOE) and the

Department of Education (DOE); review existing local practices; evaluate the new truancy certification data which will be submitted by local school

divisions in the Fall of 2008; assess factors related to the causes of academic underachievement, chronic

truancy and school dropout and determine whether such students should also be considered “children in need of services” for compulsory school attendance purposes;

consider the need and efficacy of defining “truancy” and “chronic truancy;” determine the impact of suspensions, expulsions and other disciplinary actions on

school dropout rates and whether disciplined students receive educational, social and community services during their suspension or expulsion from school; and

recommend to the General Assembly such changes to state law and public policies and such other initiatives appropriate and necessary to implement a comprehensive approach to chronic truancy and dropout prevention.

12

Truancy and School Dropout Prevention Issues

Chronic truancy and school dropout rates are critical problems. In certain areas of the Commonwealth, dropout rates exceed the

annual state and national dropout rates. Truancy affects students of all ages, communities and

backgrounds. Factors associated with school dropout are also linked to chronic

truancy. Unexcused absences from school are linked to numerous

harmful social and personal consequences, such as: Academic failure, school dropout rates, crime and violence,

unemployment, substance abuse, adult criminality and incarceration, unwanted pregnancy and social isolation.

13

Truancy and School Dropout Prevention Issues (cont.)

The gap between dropouts and high school graduates is widening.

Declining graduation rates threaten Virginia’s economic stability to maintain a competitive advantage among industrialized nations.

Recent legislation was passed in 2006 which authorized: review and revise formulas to collect, analyze and report high

school graduation and dropout data; and improve the collection, calculation, and interpretation of dropout

data to effect greater consistency and quality in pupil accounting and reporting practices.

Comparable data on truants is not available.

14

Truancy and School Dropout Prevention Background The cause of truancy and school dropouts vary

among each student: family difficulties; drug and alcohol abuse; Illiteracy; teenage pregnancy; boredom in the classroom; school safety; and ineffective teaching staff.

15

Truancy and School Dropout Prevention Background (cont.)

Truancy is costly due to lost of education funding, court costs and the need for on the job training for uneducated individuals.

Truancy is often considered an indication of future delinquent and criminal activity.* 48% of truants have a history of convictions compared to 14% of non-

truants (out of 400 youth).** Chronic truants are 12 times more likely than non-truants to report

having committed a serious assault.** Chronic truants are also 21 times more likely to report having committed

a serious property crime.** Chronic truants are 7 times more likely to be arrested than non-truants.**

*Source: Virginia Commission on Youth. Study of Truants and Runaways. (1999).**Source: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). (2007).

16

Truancy is a clear warning that youth may drop out of school. Truancy is difficult to measure. In Virginia, each division school adopts its own

truancy policy.

Truancy and School Dropout Prevention Background (cont.)

17

School Dropout – National Cost Over a lifetime, a high school dropout

contributes about $60,000 less in federal and state taxes.*

Increasing the male graduation rate by only 5% would result in a savings of $49 billion annually in crime-related costs.**

*Source: Alliance for Excellent Education, The High Cost of High School Dropouts: What the Nation Pays for Inadequate High Schools, 2007.

**Source: Alliance for Excellent Education, Saving Futures, Saving Dollars: The Impact of Education on Crime Reduction and Earnings, 2006.

18

As of 1997, 41% of prison inmates and 31% of probationers 18 years and older had not graduated from high school or earned a GED, compared to 18% of the general population.*

The average dropout costs society more than $800,000 over the course of his or her lifetime.**

*Source: Harlow, C.W., “Education and Correctional Populations,” Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report, January 2003, NCJ 195670.

**Source: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Truancy Prevention.

School Dropout – National Cost (cont.)

19

School Dropout – Personal Cost

Source: Alliance for Excellent Education, The High Cost of High School Dropouts: What the Nation Pays for Inadequate High Schools, 2007.

$17,299$17,299

$36,645$36,645

$52,671$52,671

High School Dropout

High School Graduate

Bachelor’s Degree

20

School Dropout – Employment Rates High school dropouts had only a 52%

employment rate in 1999, compared to 71% for high school graduates and 83% for college graduates.* High school dropouts earned only 65% of the median

earnings of those who worked full-time in 1999 .*

* Source: US Census Bureau: 2000.

21

Truancy and School Dropout Prevention Study Activities Youth Roundtables

Convened youth roundtables throughout Virginia in partnership with the Virginia Boys & Girls Clubs.

Site Visits Scheduled site visits with local schools, school

superintendents, departments of social services, court services units, J&DR court judges, law enforcement and community organizations.

22

Truancy and School Dropout Prevention Study Activities (cont.)

Site Visits Hampton City Manassas/Prince William Lee County Roanoke City Norfolk Richmond City

Interviews Department of Social Services Directors/Staff Court Service Unit Directors/Staff Juvenile Court Judges Comprehensive Services Act Officials Local School Division Representatives Law Enforcement/Sheriffs Private Providers/Nonprofit Representatives

23

Truancy and Dropout Prevention Study Activities (cont.)

Youth Roundtables Danville Hampton Manassas Norfolk Richmond

Two Advisory Group Meetings One Subcommittee Meeting

Subcommittee on Truancy Subcommittee on Dropout Prevention

24

Truancy and Dropout Prevention Study Activities (cont.)Advisory Group on Truancy and School Dropout Prevention

Secretary of Education Board of Education Superintendent of Public Instruction Virginia Department of Education

Virginia PTA Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice

Virginia School Boards Association Virginia Education Association Virginia Association of School Superintendents

Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals

Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals

Virginia Counselors Association

Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police Educators/Guidance Counselor Virginia School Safety Center Court Service Unit Representatives School Attendance Officers Alternative Education Representatives

School Resource Officers Sheriff’s Association Virginia Supreme Court

25

Identified Obstacles to Truancy and School Dropout

Lack of motivation Family problems Gang violence Drug abuse Bullying Negative peer pressure Teenage pregnancy Stress and anxiety Boredom

26

Identified Obstacles to Truancy and School Dropout (cont.)

Support from family Peer pressure Lack of empathy from school administrators Additional teacher support (tests, personal) Culture Parent’s denial of student behavior Overcoming low self-esteem

27

Resources Identified for Truancy and School Dropout

After-school activities and centers Older teenagers as mentors Positive community leaders Youth counselors Family court (in some states) Imposing mandatory GPAs to participate in sports

28

Identified Steps to Curb Truancy and School Dropout

Provide anonymous peer counselors Offer additional tutoring for standardized tests Provide programs to improve low self-esteem Change the image of attending school Provide after school jobs Give additional information on trade schools and careers Increase teacher training Improve school security Make penalties stiffer for chronic truants (family court)

29

Truancy Findings

30

Disciplinary Laws Allow Students to be “On the Street” When Suspended or Expelled

Suspension is frequently utilized for students with attendance problems.

In 2006-2007, there were over 18,530 instances of attendance suspensions of Virginia students.*

Students who are suspended or expelled and do not receive educational services fall behind and become disengaged from school.

Time out of school increases antisocial acts, school vandalism, chronic truancy and the school dropout rate.

*Virginia Department of Education. (2008). Annual Report on Discipline, Crime and Violence.

31

Judicial Involvement is Inconsistent Among Localities Disagreement exists whether truancy belongs in the

courts. In some jurisdictions, there is close involvement with the

courts – Judges exhaust every remedy and frequently include school attendance in the Court Order.

In other jurisdictions, schools are discouraged from filing petitions for attendance issues.

Docket space is a huge problem. Not all students are referred to the court for truancy. There may be attempts to “piggyback” on other charges.

32

Punitive Measures May be Imposed Prior to Referral of Services When proceedings are instituted against a parent

pursuant to § 22.1-258 of the Code of Virginia, the parent may be found guilty of a Class 2 or Class 3 misdemeanor (§ 22.1-263 of the Code).

While some judges may order the parent or family to receive services (counseling, substance abuse treatment) or to the Department of Social Services, others may not prior to imposition of jail or fines.

Service referral is frequently appropriate because truancy is usually a symptom of other serious problems.

33

Confusion Surrounding Information-Sharing Between Courts and Law enforcement Existing statutes addressing law enforcement’s ability to

access juvenile’s information are unclear.

There is a lack of information sharing between court services units (CSU) and law enforcement about status of a juvenile.

Unclear whether CSU may share information with law enforcement without a court order.

Law enforcement not a party having legitimate interest to supervision records maintained by a CSU.

34

Dropout Findings

35

Insufficient Educational Options for Youth Not Succeeding in Traditional School Setting A common reason students drop out from school is

disengagement. Many students lose interest and motivation because the

curriculum does not appear to have a real-world application.

Different education strategies that connect school and the real world would help bridge this gap.

In order to reduce the dropout rate, apathetic and disengaged students must be re-connected to education.

36

Career and Technical Education an Overlooked Component in Dropout Prevention Students frequently do not understand the link between

education and career development. Career and technical educational options can help

students remain in and be successful in high school. High-risk students are 8 to 10 times less likely to dropout

in the 11th and 12th grades if they enroll in a career and technical program instead of a general program.*

A quality career and technical program can reduce a school’s dropout rate by as much as 6%.*

*Association for Career and Technical Education. (2007). Career and Technical Education’s Role in Dropout Prevention.

37

Unintended Consequences of School Division’s Attendance Policies Passing a class is typically tied to attendance. Attendance policies may dictate that a student can pass a

class only if they do not exceed a certain number of unexcused absences.

The grade earned would have no impact, so a student who exceeds the limit has no hope of catching up or passing.

For example, if the student had six or more unexcused absences in the first grading period, they may have already failed the class regardless what happens during the remainder of the school year.

If there is no hope for passing the class, the student may stop attending school altogether.

38

Shortage of School-based Prevention Programs There is a shortage of school-based prevention programs which address

violence prevention, anger management, conflict resolution and other behavioral health needs. Students with these needs are most at-risk for dropping out of school

While schools employ school counselors to help provide these services, their job duties have become more administrative in nature.

School counselors’ primary role, according to the Virginia Standards for School Counseling, is the delivery of services to meet the behavioral, personal/social, career and academic needs of their students.

A comprehensive school-based system offering prevention, identification and intervention services to school performance and healthy development is an effective dropout strategy.

39

Understanding of Family Challenges A recurring issue associated with school dropout is family

involvement. Families’ participation in their child’s education is viewed as

one of the most important factors that influences the success or failure of the child in the classroom.

Other family factors may also impact a student’s decision to dropout.

Students may have to work to help support their family, have young children of their own to support or must care for a family member.

Understanding of these variables is needed in order to develop effective dropout prevention strategies.

40

Achievement Gap for Students Identified “At-Risk” There is an achievement gap, as reflected in the on-time

graduation rate, for students who are identified as disadvantaged.

In 2008, only 69.8% of disadvantaged students graduated on-time with a Board of Education-approved diploma.*

The state average for all students is 81.3%.

*Disadvantaged students are those who qualify for the free and reduced price lunch program.

41

Truancy Recommendations

42

Recommendation 1 – Disciplinary Laws Allow Students to be “On the “Street” When Suspended or Expelled

Option 1: Request the Virginia Department of Education to offer guidance in the Model Code of Student Conduct to school divisions regarding options other than suspension or expulsion for instances of tardiness or attendance. (This recommendation was received from the Alternative Education Advisory Group.)

Option 2: Amend the Code of Virginia to prohibit the use of suspension or expulsion in all instances of tardiness or attendance.

Option 3: Amend the Code of Virginia to prohibit the use of suspension in all instances of tardiness or attendance.

Option 4: The Virginia Commission on Youth, with the Virginia Department of Education, will develop a resource which describes school divisions’ programs and partnerships that provide educational and support services for at-risk youth, as well as youth with attendance problems. This resource will also include information about private sector partnerships and best-practices that strive to keep youth connected to school.

43

Recommendation 2 – Judicial Involvement is Inconsistent Among Localities

Option 1: Request the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, to assist the Virginia Commission on Youth in its review of truancy matters, specifically the role of the judiciary, consistency of court practices, and judicial education, including the court’s ability to order services for the family prior to the imposition of jail or fines. This would take place in the second year of the study.

Option 2: Monitor the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2008, which includes an amendment to strengthen the Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders (DSO) requirement by eliminating the Valid Court Order (VCO) exception.

44

Recommendation 3 – Punitive Measures May be Imposed Prior to Referral of Services

Option 1: Request that the Chairman of the Virginia Commission on Youth write a letter to the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia to encourage training of Juvenile and Domestic Relations judges that addresses their ability to court-order services for families in truancy cases prior to initiation of other remedies.

45

Recommendation 4 – Confusion Surrounding Information-Sharing Between Courts and Law enforcement

Option 1: Request the Virginia Commission on Youth to develop a “carve out” in § 16.1-309.1 of the Code of Virginia to allow the Department of Juvenile Justice to release information to law enforcement about whether a juvenile, alleged to be a truant in violation of § 22.1-258 of the Code of Virginia, is being detained in a secure facility.”

Option 2: Request the Virginia Commission on Youth to develop a “carve out” in § 16.1-309.1 of the Code of Virginia to allow the Department of Juvenile Justice to release information to law enforcement about whether a juvenile is being detained in a secure facility or who is on probation/parole if a juvenile is in the custody of law enforcement during school hours and if the juvenile is alleged to be a truant in violation of § 22.1-258 of the Code of Virginia.

Option 3: Request the Virginia Commission on Youth to develop a “carve out” in § 16.1-309.1 of the Code of Virginia to allow the Department of Juvenile Justice to release information to law enforcement about whether a juvenile is being detained in a secure facility or who is on probation/parole if a juvenile is in the custody of law enforcement and alleged to be a truant in violation of § 22.1-258 of the Code of Virginia.

Option 4: Monitor the activities of the Virginia Crime Commission regarding the reorganization of Title 16.1, Chapter 11 which address CHINS and CHINSup, expungement and confidentiality of records.

46

Dropout Recommendations

47

Recommendation 5 – Insufficient Educational Options for Youth Not Succeeding in Traditional School Setting

Option 1: Request that the Virginia Department of Education brief the Virginia Commission on Youth on the current status of 21st Century Schools in Virginia.*

*21st Century Schools provide learning environments where students are fully engaged with curriculum brought to life through creative uses of technology. Recommendation 1, Option 4 also addresses this finding.

48

Recommendation 6 – Career and Technical Education an Overlooked Component in Dropout Prevention

Option 1: Request the Commission on Youth conduct a study/gap analysis of career and technical educational options available in the Commonwealth. Such a study will also include when is it most effective to introduce career and technical options. Potential linkages with the Tobacco Commission, the Virginia Manufacturers Association, the Community College system and the Virginia Workforce Council for workforce training will also be explored, as will the current Jobs for Virginia Graduates program. Commission staff will apply for relevant funding opportunities or grants to assist with the cost of this study.

49

Recommendation 7 – Unintended Consequences of School Divisions’ Attendance Policies

Option 1: Request the Virginia Board of Education to issue guidance to school divisions regarding the unintended consequences of attendance policies which may keep students from returning to school.

Option 2: Request the Virginia Board of Education to issue guidance regarding § 22.1-253:13.4 of the Code of Virginia which allows schools to establish procedures to facilitate the acceleration of students without completing the 140-hour class, to obtain credit for such class upon demonstration of mastery of the course content and objectives and with the recommendation of the division superintendent.

Option 3: Request the Virginia Department of Education to report recommendations for a standardized definition of truancy to the Virginia Commission on Youth prior to the 2010 Session of the General Assembly.

50

Recommendation 8 – Shortage of School-based Prevention Programs

Option 1: Request the Virginia Department of Education to survey/gather information on existing, non-traditional programs for the development of best-practice guidelines effective in serving students.

Option 2: The Virginia Commission on Youth, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education, will survey/gather information on existing, non-traditional programs for the development of best-practice guidelines effective in serving students.

Option 3: Request the Virginia Department of Education to work with school divisions to develop equitable task assignments so that school counselors can provide the vital services for which they were trained. These services include those school-based prevention services that address issues such as violence prevention, anger management, conflict resolution and other behavioral needs of their students.

51

Recommendation 9 – Understanding Family Challenges

Option 1: The Virginia Commission on Youth will meet with both students and parents to request their input in this study effort. These meetings will take place immediately and continue in the second year of the study.

52

Recommendation 10 – Achievement Gap for Students Identified “At-risk”

Option 1: Write a letter to be sent to the members of the Subcommittees on Education for the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees requesting that Virginia’s at-risk add-on funds which are appropriated to offset the higher cost of educating economically disadvantaged students, be preserved. (Developed at the request of the Advisory Group.)

53

Study of Alternative Education Options

54

Study of Alternative Education Options The Commission on Youth will study alternative

education program options and report findings to the Commission on Youth prior to the 2009 General Assembly Session.

Issues to be studied include: utilization of suspension and expulsion; gaps in service in alternative education placements; the reasons that students may not be offered educational

services; school-based prevention programs and funding; definition of alternative education; and need for alternative education programs.

55

Investigated options for students not succeeding in the public school system and at-risk of dropping out, including: a second tier of regional alternative education

programs; private educational and other alternative educational

options; requirements for students who have fulfilled the pre-

GED requirements, but are not otherwise eligible to test for the GED; and

special academies for over-age students.

Study of Alternative Education Options (cont.)

56

Reviewed expulsion and suspension data Reviewed state/federal requirements for school divisions’

suspension and expulsion policies Reviewed alternative education approaches in Virginia Site visits of local and regional programs Convened Advisory Group COY/DOE survey of Alternative Education Options in

Virginia Compiled survey results into a Guide Reviewed Virginia’s school-based prevention programs and

funding Assessed need for second tier of regional alternative

education programs

Alternative Education Options Study Activities

57

Survey of Alternative Education Programs Surveyed 132 school divisions.

Requested information on:• structure of schools/programs;• funding source;• types of students served;• waiting lists;• gaps in service; and• students who were not offered any educational

service.

58

Survey Findings Local program design varies significantly. Students may have to wait to receive alternative

education services; this is particularly true for divisions utilizing regional programs.

Identified program challenges include inability to provide more instructional time, lack of facility space, transportation concerns, and retaining qualified staff.

Lack of family involvement/interest is the challenge most frequently identified.

Some students not successful in a traditional school setting.

59Source: Virginia Commission on Youth Superintendent’s Survey on Alternative Education Options, 2007.

Roanoke City

Staunton

PRINCEEDWARDCAMPBELL

Lexington

NORTHUMBERLANDCAROLINE

ESSEX

ACCOMACKCovington FLUVANNA

NORTHAMPTON

Norton WYTHE

FRANKLINPULASKISUSSEX

WISE

MONTGOMERY

Radford

CHARLESCITY

NEWKENT

CRAIGMATHEWS

GLOUCESTER

BUCHANAN

NOTTOWAY

Salem

JAMESCITYAPPOMATTOX

Lynchburg

VIRGINIA BEACH

FLOYDSMYTH PITTSYLVANIA

FAUQUIERSHENANDOAH

DICKENSON

GILES

WASHINGTONLEE

SCOTT

RUSSELL

TAZEWELLBLAND

GRAYSON

CARROLL

PATRICK

BOTETOURT

CHARLOTTE

AMHERST

MECKLENBURG

GREENSVILLE

SUFFOLK

SURRY

LUNENBURG

DINWIDDIE

CHESTERFIELDAMELIA

HENRICOPOWHATAN

MIDDLESEX

LANCASTER

RICHMOND

HANOVER KINGWILLIAM

LOUISA

HIGHLAND

GREENE

STAFFORD

PAGE

PRINCEWILLIAM

BATH

RAPPAHANNOCK

MADISON

WESTMORELAND

NELSON

BUCKINGHAM

Richmond

SOUTH-AMPTON

CHESA-PEAKE

SPOTSYLVANIA

KING & QUEEN

ORANGE

FREDERICK

Alexandria

ArlingtonWARREN

FAIRFAX

Winchester Manassas Park

Manassas

ROCKINGHAM

Harrisonburg

Waynesboro

Bristol GalaxMartinsville

DanvilleEmporia

Franklin

Petersburg

Portsmouth

Norfolk

Newport News

Poquoson

Hampton

WilliamsburgHopewell

BRUNSWICK

KINGGEORGE

ALBEMARLEAUGUSTA

Charlottesville

Buena

ROCKBRIDGE

ALLEGHANY

YORK

CUMBERLAND

Falls Church

ROANOKE

HENRY

ISLEOF

WIGHT

BEDFORDPRINCE

GEORGE

ColonialHeights

HALIFAX

CULPEPER

Fredericksburg

GOOCHLANDVista

CLARKE

LOUDOUNDivision had regional and local programs

Division had only regional programs

Division had local programs

West Point

Alternative Education Programs for Suspended & Expelled Students in Virginia 2005 and 2006

60

Study Findings

61

Students Not Receiving Educational Services There are gaps in alternative education services in Virginia, such as

placements for middle school students and credit recovery for overage middle and high school students.

Existing alternative education programs do not have the capacity to keep students permanently, even if students are succeeding.*

In 2007-2008, the number of slots funded was 1,882. 3,996 students were served by regional programs. 26 of the 30 programs indicated that they would have placements for all

slots assigned to each division. 26 slots were transferred in four of the 30 regional alternative programs. The requested number of additional slots totaled 413.

Over 50% of alternative education programs reported their primary goal as transitioning students back to their regular academic setting.**

Students frequently have to wait to receive alternative education services; particularly for divisions utilizing regional programs.**

*Virginia Board of Education Report on Regional Alternative Education Programs, 2007.** Virginia Commission on Youth Survey of Alternative Education Programs, 2007.

62

Effective Disciplinary Programs in Virginia With repeat utilization of suspension or expulsion, the

probability increases that a student will fall farther behind academically.

Training school staff and educators in effective classroom management may increase the consistency of discipline and can reduce suspensions and expulsions.

A schoolwide system of effective disciplinary practices contributes to improved academic performance and social behavior.

63

Lack of Clarity about Alternative Education There is no consistent and established definition of what an

alternative program/school is and what components must be present.

The term "alternative education" covers all educational activities that fall outside the traditional K-12 school system, including vocational programs, special programs for gifted children and programs for the handicapped.

A broad definition of alternative education programs is important for program development and evaluation.

64

No Central Point of Contact for Alternative Education

In Virginia, there is no central point of contact or office for information about alternative education programs.

Improving coordination of alternative education programs would allow for improved utilization and transition of students from alternative to traditional educational settings.

Such a contact could monitor and advise on policies and procedures, conduct training, review and assist with data collection and develop start-up processes.

65

Lack of Guidelines for Local Alternative Education Programs

In Virginia, there are approximately 160 local alternative education programs and all are diverse.

Students enrolled in alternative education programs frequently need stronger program components to help them catch up and to be successful.

Great diversity among local alternative education programs* 20% of local alternative education programs do not allow

students to earn verified credits. Per pupil program cost ranged from $100 to $22,702, with

median cost being $6,000. Half of all local programs were entirely locally funded. 25% of local alternative education programs operate fewer than

20 hours per week.

* Virginia Commission on Youth Survey of Alternative Education Programs, 2007.

66

Tracking Students After Referral to Alternative Education

Frequently is unknown what happens to students after they are referred to alternative education.

Students could: successfully transition to their home school, remain in the alternative program/school, drop out, or leave the program but later return or acquire a GED.

Tracking students could help determine whether they were returning to and re-enrolling in their home school.

Tracking would also help show which alternative education programs were successfully transitioning students to their home schools or helping them to secure a diploma or a GED.

67

Career & Technical Education BOE recognized the connection between

students’ connectedness to school and school safety in its Comprehensive Plan.

Educational options that respond to students’ diverse needs, such as career and technical educational options, can help students remain in and be successful in high school.

68

Recommendations

69

Option 1: Introduce legislation to amend § 22.1-209.1:2 of the Code of Virginia to provide that regional alternative education options may also be utilized for students at-risk of a long-term suspension as authorized by the school superintendent. Due process protections regarding notice, hearings, and appeals required for students who are suspended or expelled are required when a regional alternative education placement is recommended for students deemed at-risk of receiving a long-term suspension. Also, clarify that Section of the Code refers to “regional” programs.

Option 2: Introduce a budget amendment to allow school divisions not currently participating in a regional alternative education program or participating, but not allotted slots, to join an existing regional alternative education program and be allocated state slots. There are approximately 16 affected school divisions: Albemarle, Arlington, Buchanan, Chesterfield, Frederick, Surry, Warren, Charlottesville, Covington, Falls Church, Portsmouth, Loudoun, Page, Rockingham, Winchester, and Colonial Beach. (The fiscal impact is still to be determined.)

Option 3: Introduce a budget amendment for 413 additional slots in the regional alternative education programs. These slots could be utilized for students who are not succeeding in the public school setting, as well as address the existing shortage of slots. (The fiscal impact is $1,581,790 - $3,707 per slot x 413.)

Recommendation 1 – Students Not Receiving Educational Services

70

Option 1: Request that the Chairman of the Virginia Commission on Youth write a letter to the Board of Education to ask that the revisions to the Standards of Accreditation (SOA) be amended to include provisions for requiring schools exhibiting suspension and expulsion rates above the state average implement evidence-based intervention programs designed to improve suspension and expulsion rates.

Recommendation 2 – Effective Disciplinary Programs in Virginia

71

Option 1: Introduce legislation to include a definition of alternative education programs in the Code of Virginia which is consistent with § 22.1-253.13:1. that describes instructional programs supporting the Standards of Learning (SOLs) and other educational objectives. This legislation would specify that alterative education options are for students whose needs are not met in programs prescribed elsewhere, as set forth in the SOLs. “Alternative education” will be replaced by “nontraditional education“ except when referring to regional alternative education programs.

Recommendation 3 – Lack of Clarity Regarding Alternative Education

72

Option 1: Request that the Chairman of the Virginia Commission on Youth write a letter requesting the Superintendent of Public Education establish a central point of contact within the Virginia Department of Education in the area of nontraditional education options.

Recommendation 4 – No Central Point of Contact for Alternative Education

73

Option 1: Request that the Chairman of the Virginia Commission on Youth write a letter requesting the Virginia Board of Education establish model guidelines for locally-created alternative education programs consistent with the guidelines established for the regional alternative education programs.

Recommendation 5 – Lack of Guidelines for Local Alternative Education

Schools/Programs

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Option 1: Request that the Chairman of the Virginia Commission on Youth write a letter requesting that the Virginia Department of Education establish a mechanism for school divisions to use the individual student tracking number system to indicate whether a student is enrolled in their home school, in a local alternative setting or in a regional alternative school.

Recommendation 6 – Tracking Students After Placement in Alternative Education

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Option 1: Request the Virginia Commission on Youth to evaluate policies and goals for career and technical education services, career and technical education needs and gaps in services that address identified needs of career and technical education programs in the Commonwealth.

Recommendation 7 – Career and Technical Education

76

Questions

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Contact InformationAmy M. Atkinson

Executive DirectorVirginia Commission on Youth

General Assembly Building, Suite 269Richmond, Virginia 23219

(804) 371-2481 aatkinson@leg.state.va.us

Commission’s web addresshttp://coy.state.va.us