1. Alternative or At-Risk Education
Some things to consider when trying to meet the needs of all of our students.
Christy Carroll – Student Advisor, Grand Blanc High School
Sue Kenkel - Principal, Davison Alternative Education
Matt Shanafelt – Principal, Davison High School

2. Alternative or At-Risk Education
Without Struggle, there can be no progress.
- Frederick Douglass
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.
It is easier to run a school of conformists than a school of individuals, but conformists, by definition, can never be themselves.
Children naturally want to succeed; Why do we sometimes treat them as if they wanted to fail?
Childrens self-respect only flourishes if they are respected.

3. The potential of every student
“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free”
-Michelangelo

4. CHARACTERISTICS OF STUDENTS
Behind in Credits
Economically Disadvantaged
Homeless
Non-traditional living arrangements
Anger Issues
Problems with authority

5. CHARACTERISTICS OF STUDENTS
Low Self Esteem
Lack of Confidence
Little importance given to education at home
Socially inept or isolated
Different
Legal issues
Substance abuse problem

6. CHARACTERISTICS OF STUDENTS
Physically abused
Mentally abused
Emotionally abused
Sexually abused
Incarcerated parents
Teen parents

7. STUDENT NEEDS Varied Instruction Technology/ own pace Differentiated
Project based
Experiential
Hands on
Chunked lessons
Mastery learning (Re-do’s and Re-takes)

8. STUDENT NEEDS
Way to regain credits
Online
Trimester
Pre-Post Test(s)

9. STUDENT NEEDS Support system at school (Family)
More individualized attention
Support groups
Connections
Positive interaction
Committed counselor

10. STUDENT NEEDS Hope Encouragement Belief
Ability to have needs met at school
To feel like part of something
Pride in accomplishment
Support, Support, Support, and more Support!!!

11. STUDENT NEEDS The Right Staff!!
Patient, Flexible, caring, understanding of at risk students, knowledgeable in content, able to use multiple instructional methods and intervention strategies, excellent classroom manager, ability to foster positive communication with parents, and ……..

12. STUDENT NEEDS
The ability to build Positive relationships with healthy boundaries.
Relationships

13. Other Aspects of Successful programs
Smaller classes even at the expense of your regular high school. (22)
Full time counselor
Administrative support solely for Alternative/ At-Risk Education

14. Aspects of Successful programs
Team building activities
Leadership Training
Goal Setting
Community Partner ships
Educational Partnerships
Service Learning projects

15. Aspects of Successful programs
Strong Mentoring Programs

16. Aspects of Successful programs
Connect the Students to the reality of college
Trips
Community College Advisor
Help on the FAFSA
Fill out applications/ Essays.
Talk about it all the time in order to change the mindset

17. Aspects of Successful programs
Take advantage of programs that are offered.
Free Breakfast programs
Grants

18. Aspects of Successful programs
Blood
Sweat
Tears
Hard work
Commitment
There are no shortcuts!!

19. Davison Alternative Education

20. Davison Alternative Education

21. Grand Blanc Center for Student Success (C.S.S.)
Welcome to CSS
The mission of CSS is to provide a unique alternative learning environment in which students will have a quality educational experience. They will succeed by taking responsibility for their own academic learning, while developing appropriate social and life skills which lead to healthy personal development.