This session asks a question at the heart of our work: how do we measure success for students who have been furthest from educational opportunity?
Career-connected learning can be a powerful tool for engaging and reengaging students in alternative education. Yet the progress our students make, from earning credits to completing certifications and securing apprenticeships, too often goes unseen in the systems that rate their schools.
Four-year graduation rates don’t always capture the progress students make in alternative education settings. RAPSA (Reaching At-Promise Students Association) hosted Education Northwest’s Ashlie Denton and Mary Padden for a webinar on how states can think differently about accountability for alternative schools—including measures of student growth, engagement, persistence, and success.
In this webinar, participants discussed what’s happening in alternative education across the country and accessed new resources. Since 2024, Education Northwest’s Alternative Education Policy Network (AEPN) has convened policymakers, researchers, and practitioners working to improve outcomes for students in alternative high school settings. This session highlighted updates and insights from the network while creating space to share what supports and policy shifts you want to see in the future.
This webinar provided an in-depth look at state alternative high school education budget policies. We presented findings from a recent national scan of such policies and lead breakout sessions for states with similar political climates, so participants can share ideas and problem-solve potential issues. Participants gained insights into how different states approach budgeting for high school alternative education programs, the challenges they face, and the strategies they employ to ensure sustainable funding. This session is for educators, policymakers, and advocates who are interested in understanding the financial dynamics of high school alternative education and shaping budget policies to support these programs effectively and especially useful for state leaders who are preparing for their upcoming budget cycle and those interested in networking with like-minded professionals.
This webinar provided an overview of current high school alternative education policies, practices, and trends across the United States. Participants gained valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in the field of high school alternative education and learn about innovative approaches being implemented to support students who are not well served by traditional education systems. This session is for educators, policymakers, and advocates who are interested in understanding and shaping the future of high school alternative education and interested in networking with like-minded professionals.