A policy analysis: Successful type II alternative high schools for all students

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 standards used to evaluate Type II Alternative Schools. The project team began by creating a problem statement as the guiding principle for the project, what qualities must be present in Type II Alternative Schools to be considered successful?;The project team examined literature related to the problem statement in the field of education and adolescent psychology. The review of the literature guided the project team in the identification of six standards responsible for an alternative school to be deemed successful. These standards were based on information gathered during the review of the literature phase of the project. The six standards consist of the following: (1) Clearly defined purpose; (2) Establishes and maintains a sense of community; (3) Engaging curriculum; (4) Structured environment and climate; (5) Teacher competencies and professional development; (6) Parent involvement.;The project team analyzed and evaluated public documents in two suburban Type II alternative schools against the set of research-based standards exhibited in successful type II alternative schools. A comprehensive review of the polices, procedures, and practices of both alternative schools portrayed how each has reached their levels of credibility and how that success is connected to the areas identified in this policy analysis. The review of the public documents allowed the project team to determine the importance of each of the six standards and evaluate to what degree each type II alternative school was utilizing the standards within their programs. After reviewing documents in both alternative schools, the project team provided each school with recommendations to improve their type II alternative schools.