Thesis (Ph. D.)--School of Education. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2005. / "A dissertation in education and urban leadership and policy studies in education." Advisor: Susan Adler. Typescript. Vita. Title from "catalog record" of the print edition Description based on contents viewed June 20, 2006. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 191-204 ). Online version of the print edition.

In recent years a body of literature on the topic of school culture has emerged, highlighting the importance of developing strong school cultures. My purpose was to explore the creation of culture in a new school by studying the school's core principles, leadership, history, practices, decision making, language, membership, environment, and critical events. The setting for this descriptive case study was Chapman Friends School - an alternative Quaker high school located in a mid-Atlantic state. Data-gathering techniques included: (a) weekly on-site observations, (b) formal interviews, (c) school publications and documents, and (d) the researcher's log. The data were analyzed with a thematic coding system based on the cultural components. Three factors were found to be critical in the creation of culture at Chapman Friends School: (a) core principles and the symbolic interactions whereby they were transmitted; (b) the charismatic, authentic leadership of the headmaster; and (c) the consensus-based standards for student membership. The creation of culture at Chapman Friends School was a process wherein school members sought to resolve problems and issues resulting from their conflicting expectations of what the school should be. The creation of culture at Chapman Friends School involved the development of a shared image of what the school should become. Finally, as indicated by previous researchers and supported in this study, a culture evolves over time. The findings expand the field of literature on the subject of school culture and provide insight for school leaders and educators seeking to create effective school cultures. Related topics for further study include: (a) student enrollment screening procedures which shape a school culture, (b) the effect of secular school leaders on the creation of culture in religious-based schools, (c) the effect of the absence of a Quaker majority in Quaker schools, and (d) alternative environmental options for school settings and their effect on school culture. / Ed. D.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of alternative school intervention on subsequent student performance. The literature review examined the history and development of alternative schools, the legislation pertaining to alternative schools, and related studies. The population consisted of students placed in the discipline alternative education program (DAEP) of an alternative school located in a large suburban school district in north Texas. Students placed in DAEP in the spring semester of 2001 in grades 7, 8, 9, and 10 were included in the sample. Data on student success was gathered for the one semester prior to placement (pre-intervention) and for the two semesters after placement (post-intervention). Student success was measured in terms of course grade averages and attendance. The student sample was divided into the following subgroups: grade level, sex, ethnicity, and qualification for the school meal program. The students' grade averages were compared within the subgroups utilizing a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Tukey's post hoc comparison was utilized on the groups when ANOVA was found to be significant. The students' attendance was analyzed by comparing the proportion of days attended in each of the three semesters included in the study. A normal test of two independent means was conducted on the attendance proportions. The results of the study indicated the following significant findings (p <. 05): the eighth-grade students' grade averages were significantly lower in the second post-treatment semester, the 7th-grade students had lower attendance in the first post-treatment semester, the 8th-grade students had lower attendance in the second post-treatment semester, and the 10th-grade students had higher attendance in the first post-intervention semester. The female students' attendance was higher in both post-intervention semesters and significantly higher in the second. A discussion of the dropout rate for this group and recidivism to DAEP was included.

TITLE: Private and alternative schools in the Czech Republic SUMMARY: The thesis describes current status of private and alternative schools whereas private schools are considered as an alternative to the public school system as well. It tackles the specific aspects of alternative pedagogical programs, describes common and distinctive features and sees into the positives and negatives of the choice of alternative education for parents and pupils. The theoretical part focuses on private schools. It inquires into the qualitative difference between private and public schools and deals with the conditions of education for both pupils and teachers. The empiric part consists of two case studies complementing the study of the private schools sector. KEYWORDS: Basic schools, private schools, alternative schools

Key words: gift, talent, individual access, alternative schools, inovate schools. This graduation these is focused on question of suitability to situate the gifted children into the alternative schools. In the theoretical part will be defined the concept gifted child and will be analysed the principles of chosen alternative schools. In the end of the theoretical part of theses will be evaluated how the alternative schools can be usefull for gifted children. In the experimental part will be confronted theoretical informations with reality. I try aswer the question if and which way is realized the care of these children in reality of the chosen types of the alternative schools. The research for this graduation theses will use an analyse of documents, an observation and a dialog. The elementary basis of theses is supposition that the schools of the alternative types like the schools with the edge for a respect to a child and its individual needs are potencional suitable for the extra gifted children.

Esta pesquisa tem como objetivos investigar as diferenças entre escolas alternativas e tradicionais em São Paulo e discutir as consequências da adoção de diferentes métodos como uma forma de alternativa em uma sociedade cuja democracia não é plenamente verdadeira. Parte-se das hipóteses de que escolas alternativas propõem métodos pedagógicos que supõem formar sujeitos democráticos e que facilitem o aprendizado, em uma tentativa de se contrapor às escolas tradicionais. No entanto, entende-se que, na sociedade industrial, considerando-se a ideologia vigente, as escolas alternativas e tradicionais, como produtos e produtoras da sociedade, tendem a ser similares; e que ao se apresentarem como alternativa democrática, algumas escolas encobrem as contradições de uma sociedade que é desigual em sua base. Obras de alguns autores da teoria crítica da sociedade contribuíram para compreender a influência da sociedade industrial, a importância das figuras de autoridade, e os conceitos de ideologia, indústria cultural, formação e pseudoformação. Cinco critérios foram delimitados, conforme literatura da área, para definir escola alternativa: conteúdo priorizado; método pedagógico; diversas formas de avaliação; a interação entre os sujeitos escolares e grau de participação dos estudantes. Quatro escolas foram selecionadas para investigação: duas públicas (uma alternativa e uma tradicional) e duas privadas (uma alternativa e uma tradicional). Para selecionar as escolas, foi elaborada uma escala com 20 alternativas a partir dos critérios mencionados; também foi utilizada como roteiro para as observações em sala de aula, realizadas de quatro a oito aulas em cada escola. Realizou-se também uma entrevista com a coordenadora pedagógica de cada escola, seguindo um questionário semiestruturado. Destacam-se propostas de escolas alternativas se centrarem nos alunos e as tradicionais nos professores, o que influencia nas características mencionadas anteriormente, além da relação com professor como figura de autoridade. As escolas consideradas alternativas, por vezes, aderem às pressões sociais, tais como a preparação para vestibular, as formas de avaliação, visando o mercado de trabalho, bem como as escolas ditas tradicionais aderem a propostas das alternativas, tais como práticas em grupo, alunos como ativos na educação, entre outros. Considera-se que não há escola puramente tradicional, bem como não há escola puramente alternativa, corroborando a hipótese de que nesta sociedade a tendência é de homogeneização. Uma diferença significativa foi entre as escolas públicas e privadas, pois enquanto as primeiras estavam preocupadas com a violência em que seus alunos estão envolvidos, as escolas particulares refletem sobre questões centrais para a formação dos professores e alunos, permitindo concluir que a maior distinção entre as escolas não é seu método pedagógico, mas de classe social. Haver uma suposta alternativa reforça também o pensamento de que depende unicamente de o indivíduo ou a instituição fazer uma escolha para que a sociedade se modifique, o que também expõe a ideologia de mercado: há um produto a ser escolhido e um mercado a ser atendido. As escolas, sejam elas tradicionais ou alternativas, podem ser espaços que perpetuam as contradições sem críticas, mas podem ser um espaço de resistência em que é possível criticar a sociedade e repensá-la / This research aims to investigate the differences between alternative and traditional schools in Sao Paulo and to discuss the consequences of adopting different methods as an \"alternative\" in a society whose democracy is not fully true. Considering hypotheses that alternative schools propose pedagogical methods that are supposed to form democratic subjects and facilitate the learning, in attempt to oppose to the traditional schools. However, it is understood that, in the industrial society, considering the current ideology, alternative and traditional schools, as products and producers of society, tend to be similar; and that, by presenting themselves as a democratic \"alternative,\" some schools hide the contradictions of a society that is unequal at its base. The works of some authors of the critical theory of the society have contributed to the understanding of industrial societys influence, the importance of authority figures, and the concepts of ideology, cultural industry, formation and pseudo-formation. Five criteria were set forth to define \'alternative school\', according to the literature: prioritized content; pedagogical method; several forms of evaluation; the interaction between school subjects and the student participations rate. Four schools were selected for the research: two public schools (one alternative and one traditional) and two private schools (one alternative and one traditional). In order to select the schools, a scale was elaborated with 20 alternatives based on the mentioned criteria; and it was also used as a guide for classroom observations, which from four to eight classes were observed in each school. There was also an interview with the pedagogical coordinator of each school, following a semi-structured questionnaire. The proposals of alternative schools that focus on the students and the traditional ones on the teachers were highlighted, which influences in the characteristics formerly mentioned, in addition to the relation with teacher as a figure authority figure. The considered alternative schools sometimes adhere to social pressures, such as: preparation for college entrance examination, the forms of evaluation, targeting the labor market; as well as the mentioned traditional schools adhere to alternatives proposals such as: group practices, students as assets in education, among others. It is considered that there is no purely traditional school, nor is there a purely alternative school, corroborating to the hypothesis that, in this society, there is a tendency for homogenization. There was a significant difference between public and private schools, because, in the public school, the workers were concerned about the violence in which their students are involved, and, in the private schools, the workers were questioning central issues to form teachers and students, leading to the conclusion that the greatest distinction between schools is not their pedagogical method, but their social status. Considering a supposed alternative also reinforces the idea that it is solely up to the individual or the institution to make a choice for the societys transition, which also exposes the market ideology: there is a product to be chosen and a market to be served. Schools, whether traditional or alternative, can be spaces in which contradictions without criticism perpetuate, but they can also be a space of resistance in which it is possible to criticize society and rethink it

A large number of African American males have experienced risk and protective factors that may impede or enhance their success in the school setting. As a result of these risk and protective factors, they may or may not be at-risk for adverse outcomes behaviorally as well as academically. As indicated throughout the literature, to better serve behaviorally at-risk students, the educational system has responded by implementing methods such as zero-tolerance policies, increased security, and alternative education programs. While the former has been established throughout the literature, there has been a paucity of research on alternative education programs in general and even less with regard to African American male students. This study examined four levels of risk and protective factors, individual, school, community, and family, among African American males in both alternative and general educational settings. One hundred fifteen students ages 11 to 16 were assessed for demographics, self-efficacy, school engagement, and racial identity measures. The purpose of the study was to examine the differences between risk and protective factors among African American males in alternative and general education settings. Specifically, the individual level was examined in detail using the following risk and protective factors: self-efficacy, school engagement, and racial identity. This study also examined the impact risk and protective factors have in predicting the likelihood that an African American male would be placed in an alternative education setting. Both independent samples t-tests and hierarchical logistic regression analyses were used. Results indicated that there are statistically significant differences in levels of self-efficacy and school engagement between African American males in alternative education settings and general educations settings. No difference was found in levels of racial identity among the groups. Results from the hierarchical logistic regressions indicated that self-efficacy is a significant predictor. These findings show the importance for school psychologists to work with students to instill confidence to be successful in school settings. Also, since self-efficacy was shown to be a significant predictor of placement status in alternative school settings, it is important for school psychologists and school personnel to get involved with these students before they even become at-risk.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--University of West Florida, 2007. / Title from title page of source document. Document formatted into pages; contains 157 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine how parents of African descent understand the African-centered school concept as an alternative education to the mainstream public school in Toronto. While we cannot ignore the success stories of some Black students in the school system, the reality remains that the academic performance of some shows a downward trend. Hence, concerned educators and members of the African-Canadian community suggest the need for the establishment of a Black focused or African-centered school as an alternative to the mainstream public school. This will allow students to learn more effectively because they are culturally grounded and will be able to link issues of individual or group identities with what goes on at school. This qualitative research relied principally on in-depth interviews with twenty African-Canadian parents who have children in the mainstream public schools in Toronto. It assumes that parents are important stakeholders in their children’s education so their views on problems and the need for an alternative form of schooling have significant implications for the academic performance of Black youth. The data from my study and available literature make it evident that despite the introduction of African heritage and multicultural programs and anti-racist education, profound problems still exist for Black youth in the mainstream public schools. The findings indicate that out of twenty, a majority of seventeen African-Canadian parents support the establishment of African-centered schools as an alternative to the mainstream public school. All participants interviewed agree that discrimination, prejudice and stereotyping in mainstream public schools are major problems for their children. The parents’ narratives show that the establishment of an African-centered school as an alternative to the mainstream public school is a way to combat the discrimination and prejudice Black youth encounter at school. The parents believe Black focused schools should be a major preoccupation of educational personnel, school boards and policy makers. Finally the implications of establishing an African-centered school to address the needs of Black youth and directions for future research are discussed.