Alternative Education is an instructional approach under the control of a school committee that is offered to "at-risk" students in a nontraditional setting. "At-risk" students may include those who are pregnant/parenting teens, truant students, and suspended or expelled students, returned dropouts, delinquent youth, or other students who are not meeting local promotional requirements.
Alternative Education may operate as a program or as a separate self-contained school. Alternative Education does not include private schools, home schooling, school choice, high school equivalency programs, or gifted and talented programs. Alternative Education also does not include programs exclusively serving students receiving special education services or vocational-technical education.
For more information, contact:
Lisa HarneyDrop-Out Prevention and Re-Engagement Specialist
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway Everett, MA 02149
781-338-3903 (phone) 781-338-3089 (fax) lharney@doe.mass.edu
Last Updated: January 17, 2018
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
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