Alternative Education

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Alternative Education
Target Research and recommend an alternative
learning plan to address the needs of students
in grades 6-12.
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Target Research and recommend an alternative
learning plan to address the needs of
students in grades 6-12. FACILITATOR (Robin
Lawlor and Annette Whittlesey) ISSUE During
the 2006-07 school year, the Tahoma School
District contracted with a consultant to review
the viability of Maple Valley High School as a
vehicle to support students in meeting the state
academic standards necessary for earning a
diploma. The consultant was also asked to
recommend additional support structures to meet
the diverse social, emotional and academic needs
of students who are not finding success in our
general education program. The report provides a
base for considering options better aligned with
the demands of meeting state academic
standards. PROBLEM What should alternative
education look like in the Tahoma School
District, grades 6-12, given the parameters of
meeting state academic standards and district
budget constraints?
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• PARAMETERS
• Program options must address social, emotional,
  and academic needs of students including
  opportunity to learn and demonstrate state
  academic standards.
• Funding for proposed options should not exceed
  the current resource allocation for alternative
  education. The proposal does exceed current
  resource allocation.
• Inclusion of on-line learning options must be a
  part of the recommended model.
• Implementation of the recommended options should
  begin in the 2008-2009 school year.
• TIMELINE
• The committee will meet in the fall to research
  options and make recommendations to secondary
  administrators by December 1. Final
  recommendations will be brought to the school
  board in February for consideration.

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Committee Members The study committee
will be composed of representatives determined by
the Teaching and Learning Department and
Secondary Principals. Members include a.
TSHS Terry Duty, principal Chris Feist, student
support teacher Betsy Lowe, SE department
head and BIS b. TJHS Ken Wilson, BIS Lori
Lewis, counselor c. MVHS Abby Durrett, teacher
Jennifer Brisbine, counselor Marcia Boyd,
teacher d. CRMS Robert Talbert, Dean e. TMS
Carrie Diligencia f. District Office Robin
Lawlor Annette Whittlesey, facilitators Dawn
Wakeley, program evaluation.
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• Committee Process
• Met three times to complete the following steps
• Reviewed findings and recommendations of
  Alternative Program review by Patty Spangler
  completed in spring of 2007
• Established template for collecting data
• Clarified committee charge
• Researched online programs, alternative
  education models, and support systems to
  consider
• Brainstormed what continuum of alternative
  education services could look like in the Tahoma
  School District

Presented recommendation options to Teaching
Learning Department and secondary administrators
for feedback Met with the Committee and Teaching
Learning to review draft proposal and allow
clarifying questions before presentation to the
board
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Tahoma School District Alternative Education
Program Proposal DRAFT January 2008
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Tahoma School District Alternative Education
Program Proposal DRAFT Cont. January 2008
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Tahoma School District Alternative Education
Program Proposal DRAFT Cont. January 2008
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Tahoma School District Alternative Education
Program Proposal DRAFT Cont. January 2008
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Tahoma School District Alternative Education
Program Proposal DRAFT Cont. January 2008
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The committee is available tonight to respond to
questions or to share their perspective on the
process.