Perspectives of America's school board members concerning the availability, purposes, and effectiveness of alternative education off-site programs for troubled school students

The major purpose of this study was to determine the opinion of school board members regarding the availability, purposes and effectiveness of alternative education off-site programs for troubled school students. Data related to the frequency of alternative programs were gathered, and cross tabulated with selected demographic variables which include region of country, size of district, and community type. In addition, board members offered their opinions regarding the target populations for off-site programs, and the purposes of such programs. The study sought to identify those specific alternative services which were in existence, as well as the primary purpose of alternative education. Lastly, board members were asked the extent to which the wide variety of alternative services was effective. Descriptive research methodology was utilized in this study. A stratified, random sample of school board member subscribers to The American School Board Journal was identified, and subsequently surveyed through use of a mailed questionnaire. Twenty-two percent of the population of 27,141 were surveyed. The response rate was 13.6%. The study was sponsored by The American School Board Journal, which is published by the National School Boards Association, the national professional organization for school board members in the United States. The study revealed that alternative programs for troubled students are prevalent throughout the United States, irrespective of community type, size of school district, or region of the country. The target populations for these alternative services are as diverse as the nation itself. Board members believe that collaboration between school divisions and other agencies should occur as these diverse and numerous populations of students are served. School board members also felt that most targeted populations were being served in an effective manner.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Education

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Administration

Department dc:contributor.department

Educational Administration

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

1995

Author dc:creator

• Upperman, James Earl

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Curcio, Joan L.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Underwood, Kenneth E.
• Worner, Wayne M.
• Fortune, Jimmie C.
• Graham, Jim D.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

etd-06062008-155453

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/38121