Alternative School Experiences

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses ideas regarding an alternative school program such as how the program is conceived and how it can be improved. The observation is based on personal experience of participating in a program when the writer worked for an alternative school called Boys Republic High School. The writer was an instructional aide and in that job helped the teacher manage the class. The writer had to know how to control the behavior of the students and counsel them in order to help them. The writer concludes that in order to have a successful classroom and work well in this type of environment, it is necessary to be strong, firm and have a positive attitude.

Outline:
Introduction
Concrete Experience
Observation/Reflection
Abstract Conceptualization
Active Experimentation

From the Paper:

"Having the chance to work with delinquent students was an amazing experience that I will never forget, and from this experience I learned a great deal about how to cope with different kinds of students and how to help them understand important lessons. I stayed at this school for four years, working as instructional aide inside the English classroom. I loved the school and the job, and most of the kids are delinquents coming from juvenile hall. I never had a problem with them, maybe because I respected them and they respected me, too. I saw many problems inside the classroom; for example, there was racism in the school. I saw a fight inside my class because one white guy called another a Negro. I had to call security, but the next day, both kids came to apologize to me. Sometimes some kids would come to talk to me and they would start crying over their problems. Some do not even know who their parents are, and some had only a single parent. I learned a good deal, and I wish to report on the three abstract concepts that I learned in particular."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Holmes, P. (1989, Fall). Wheels within wheels and systems within systems: The assessment process. Children and Society, pp. 237-254.
• Idol, L. (1997, July 1). Key Questions Related to Building Collaborative and Inclusive Schools. Journal of Learning Disabilities 30.
• Russo, T.J. & Kassera, W. (1989, March). A comprehensive needs assessment package for secondary school guidance programs. School Counselor, pp. 265-269.

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