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The West Jefferson
Hills School District is committed to the concept that all
students have the opportunity to meet their educational and
developmental goals in a positive, safe school climate that is conducive
to learning. This belief led to the district successfully completing
its inaugural year of providing an alternative education program for the
students in the district. Two years ago the district identified a need
to address those students who were not successful in the traditional
educational environment. The board of education, administration, and
the community successfully wrote and secured a $500,000 federal grant.
This grant provided the resources to hire two teachers and a social
worker, additionally, laptops, software, and educational supplies were
also purchased for the program.
This program is a true
alternative educational program that provides an opportunity for
children with social, behavioral, or attendance issues the chance to
succeed. The district, in collaboration with Blended Schools, an on-line
learning system, initiated a board-approved alternative education
curriculum. They then identified students who were “at-risk” and
provided a blended approach to their curriculum. Students received
their instruction from certified Thomas Jefferson High School teachers
along with courses offered to them on-line. The administration,
teachers, counselors, and social worker developed a prescription plan
for each individual student that clearly delineated the expectations and
procedures of the alternative education program. These individualized
plans provide students with smaller classes focused on individualized
instruction coinciding with an effective means for them to develop
academic, personal, and life skills.
This approach has allowed the district to see immediate
success as nine students successfully graduated with a
Thomas Jefferson High School diploma this year. The program involved
students from grades 7-12. There were a total of 17 students who
participated in the alternative education program this past year. All
students showed significant improvement in their academics, attendance,
and behavior. Several of these students transitioned back into the
regular educational environment, while a few will be returning this fall
in order to meet their graduation requirements. The alternative
education program anticipates starting the new school year with five
returning students and seven new students. This program’s availability
and success can be directly related to the efforts and foresight of the
community, board of education, and school district administration.
Keith Hartbauer
Director
of Alternative Education
Click
here to download all available documents pertaining to the
Alternative Education Program.
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