Alternative Learning Program - Martin Grade School

Revised June 2010

(Original Plan was Board approved in 1991 with Committee members:  Don Ball, Erma Cummings, Karen Goetzinger, Pat Johnson, Jan Jones, Bob Ninas, Joni O’Bryan, Dr. Wade Olson,Karen Bowen/Raymond, and Mike Taplett)

                  The Alternative Learning Program is a student behavior management system.  This system involves students assigned to an alternative school classroom.

                  School attendance and participation is important to the educational development of the individual.  School rules and regulations are established to perpetuate a proper educational environment.  (See MGS Behavior Guide)

                   This program is established for when a student comes in conflict with school rules, and/or policy and must experience disciplinary action that involves removal from the regular classroom setting.  The concern is for the student and others as well. An effort will be made by school staff to help the student adjust and return to the regular classroom setting as quickly and effectively as possible. Counseling and assessment of the student will be integrated and will be used as a viable measure to help eliminate future misbehavior.

                  The structure consists of:  Maintenance of strict control; a small staff/student ration; a certified elementary teacher; maintenance of regular schoolwork by the student; and student use of study carrels.  Students in Kindergarten through Sixth Grade may be places in the Alternative Learning Classroom (ALC).

                  A measure of the student’s progress will be accomplished by a system of point accumulation.  The criteria for a warding points (by the teacher) are in the form of a specific list of behavior items that carry a point credit. This needs to be accomplished before the student is returned to the regular education program.

                  In general, the whole experience will be shaped so that, while being isolated from other students and staff, the student continues with his/her regular studies through regular communication with the classroom teacher.  The overriding goal of the program is to return the student to the classroom as soon as possible while also providing a positive approach to discipline through early intervention.

ASSIGNMENT TO THE ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CLASSROOM

                  The elementary principal, or designee, is the only person authorized to assign a student to the Alternative Learning Classroom.  It will be the principal’s decision to assign a student to this program or take another approach to correcting a problem or situation.  The elementary principal will also make the final decision as to the length of the assignment into the Alternative Learning Classroom. The decision will be based on the guidelines outlines under the referral criteria, (See MGS Behavior Guide), but may be altered as the administrator’s discretion.

INSUBORDINATION in the ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CLASSROOM

                  If a student is insubordinate while assigned to the Alternative Classroom (EX.Fighting, refusal to go to the ALC room, refusal to cooperate, disrespect, and inappropriate language), the building principal, teacher, counselor and parents of the student will meet to determine what should be done with the student.  This could mean suspension or expulsion.  A student refusing to go to the ALC room will be suspended.  After the suspension period, the student will be placed in the ALC room until they have met the requirements necessary to return to the regular Education Program.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

                  Experience has shown that when the school and parents work together, child behavior change is more readily made and has a more lasting effect.  Therefore, it is critical that ALC procedures include parent involvement.  The principal, or designee, will call the parent to inform them regarding placement of their child in the Alternative Learning Classroom.  Letters that notify the parent of placement, referral form and information about the Alternative Learning Program will be mailed to the parent.  Phone and personal contacts will be made as events dictate.  Meetings may beheld to discuss Alternative Learning Program proceedings and strategies.  Meetings may be held which include parents, principal, student, guidance counselor and ALC teacher if requested by the parent and/or school.  These meetings carry the main objective of establishing behavior change goals by the student as well as the school and parents.

SCHOOLWORK

                  As soon as it is determined that a student is assigned to the Alternative Learning Classroom, a request for schoolwork assignments from the student’s respective teachers can be issued. Assignments will cover the number of days that a student is to be assigned placement in the ALC.  The assignment will be the same or very similar to those which the rest of the class is doing and will include work from every class in which the student is enrolled.  Schoolwork is to be turned in to the regular classroom teacher after the end of the regular school day by the ALC teacher.  Cooperation and communication is essential between the classroom teacher and ALC teacher to keep the student’s schoolwork complete and in exchanging assignments and answer sheets.

                  Each grade level will provide the ALC teacher with a packet of grade appropriate materials each quarter for enrichment work should the student finish all required schoolwork.  The ALC teacher will have current textbooks and Teacher Editions in the ALC for use.

SUSPENSION FROM EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

                  Student assigned to the Alternative Learning Classroom for an infraction will be suspended from all activity participation during the time of the Alternative Learning Classroom assignment.

SUMMARY

                  The success of a program depends largely upon a concentrated effort by the parents,the teachers, the counselor, and an administrator.  Of special importance to this effort are the classroom teachers.  As well as appropriate schoolwork assignments, teachers will provide thorough observations and feedback, the critical link that is necessary if Alternative Learning Program students are to make behavior adjustments that will lead to a successful academic classroom.  With this cooperation,the Alternative Learning Program can be a positive program that will generate high expectations and beneficial experiences for misbehaving students.

Suggested Alternative Learning Classroom Referral Guidelines

Behavior                                                                                                                              Alternative Classroom Assignment

Use of alcohol/drugs/tobacco (in the possession or influence of)                                                                        4days

Physical Assault (attack on one student by another)                                                                                            4days

Possession of weapons/dangerous materials                                                                                                        4days

                  (any material used as a weapon, looks like a weapon or with

                  the intent to threaten another individual)

Insubordination(willful and persistent defiance-Discipline Guide                                                                       4days

                  Was followed without effect)

Vandalism                                                                                                                                                             4days

Verbal/Written Assault                                                                                                                                         2days

Disruptive Behavior                                                                                                                                             2days

Fighting(2 or more students have exchanged blows-not assault)                                                                        2days

Referral decisions made by the principal, or designee, will be made after consideration of age, severity of infraction and past ALC referrals.