Minnesota Association of  
Alternative Programs  

  Download Board of Teaching Report Here

Save money by registering now for the upcoming 20th ANNUAL NATIONAL YOUTH-AT-RISK CONFERENCE on March 1-4, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Savannah, Georgia. Registration fees increase February 10th.

Georgia Southern University sponsors the conference in cooperation with other universities, school districts, and social agencies.  The following professional credits are awarded: PLU, CEU, POST, LPCA, PCCG, GAMFT, and NASW.

For DETAILED PROGRAM, REGISTRATION, AND CREDITS INFORMATION see: www.nationalyouthatrisk.com

˜ Join 1200 ATTENDEES and select from 120 SESSIONS. Nationally recognized presenters share field-tested programs and strategies on how to create safe, healthy, caring, and intellectually empowering educational environments to promote the well-being of ALL our young people.

˜ Attend PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS, Sunday, March 1, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Topics include: From Violence to Virtues, Empowering Youth, Helping Girls, Helping Students Graduate, and the Dark Side of the Internet.

˜ Learn how HIGH-FLYING SCHOOLS are attaining high achievement with high-poverty and high-diversity students.

˜ KEYNOTE AND SPECIAL SPEAKERS INCLUDE

DR. ROBERT "BOB" BARR, speaker, consultant, author, and scholar, is nationally recognized for his practical research on alternative schools, teacher education, and preventing student failure. Recently co-authored The Kids Left Behind: Teaching the Underachieving Children of Poverty.

DR. CRYSTAL KUYKENDAL, speaker, author, and founder of Kreative & Innovative Resources for Kids, is nationally acclaimed for her motivational speaking and best-seller book: From Rage to Hope: Strategies for Reclaiming Black and Hispanic Students.

MICHAEL GEISEN, 2008 National Teacher of the Year, is a middle school science teacher in Oregon, who advocates "Children as Complete Human Beings: Going Beyond a Narrow Approach to Measuring Student Achievement."

DR. MOLLY HOWARD, 2008 National Principal of the Year, is a high school principal in Georgia, who transformed a high-poverty, failing school into a high-performing school.

For more information call Janice Reynolds at (912) 478-1755 or

email at janreyn@georgiasouthern.edu

  Download the Media Guide here.

This guide provides contact numbers for major Minnesota media outlets and tips for how to best get the message out about your program!

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) would like to enter into Annual Plan Agreements (APAs) with up to twelve contractors for the implementation of the Reintegration Framework Strategic Planning Toolkit. The amount of each APA must not exceed $5,000 for staff time only and cannot cross state fiscal years. This framework supports the embedding and implementation of research and data based practices for the successful reintegration of children and youth between nontraditional separate sites and back to schools and communities through a systems level strategic planning and action-taking process. Program types in which the Reintegration Framework Strategic Planning Toolkit is to be implemented is limited to education programs in residential care and treatment facilities as defined Minn. Stat. §125A.515, education programs associated with day programs, and State Approved Alternative Programs (SAAPs). Contractors will be expected to:Coordinate and direct the work of an interagency planning team to implement the Reintegration Framework Strategic Planning Toolkit in their program; Participate in up to five meetings conducted by the MDE, two of which will take place at the MDE. The additional three meetings will be conducted through conference calls. Participate in evaluations at the program site to assist with determining the use and effectiveness of the Reintegration Framework Strategic Planning Toolkit. If you are interested in possibly becoming an implementation site email Mary Beth Schafer at marybeth.schafer@state.mn.us and put the following in the subject of the: "Reintegration Framework Strategic Planning Toolkit Strategy".  Please indicate your interest in the strategy in the body of your email and include your full name, telephone number and email address. Mary Beth SchaferNontraditional Education Programs Specialist                          Special Education PolicyMinnesota Department of Education651-582-8818651-582-8729marybeth.schafer@state.mn.us http://education.state.mn.us

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In November and December, two 1 credit classes will be offered.

Educ 6190: Reaching the Alternative Learner (1 Credit)

Instructor: Frank Herman

Hamline Univserity

Wed, Nov 7^th and 14^th, 5:30-8:30 PM

Sat, Nov 17^th, 8:30 AM-2:30 PM 

Successful teachers of alternative learners must shift the focus of instruction from teacher centered to a student centered community.  This includes identifying push-back variables, effective instructional strategies for at-risk learners, ethics of care and student centered classrooms.  This course will focus on assisting teachers in creating an environment and/or continuing to provide support for students in an alternative learning setting, using research by Wellman and Clarke. It will examine ways to personalize learning while ensuring high expectations, with dialogue about methods for teaching alternative learners most effectively. 

Students will be able to. . .

• Understand the unique characteristics and needs of alternative learners
• Set high expectations within a caring and individualized setting
• Examine and apply teaching methods for alternative learners
• Establish elements for a student centered learning environment

EDUC 6185: Teaching & Learning in Alternative Ed Programs (1 Credit)

Instructor: Julia Jilek

Hamline University

Wed, November 28^th and December 8^th, 5:30-8:30 PM

Sat, December 12^th, 8:30 AM-2:30 PM 

Educators in Alternative Education Programs need a strong understanding of the hot issues and concerns that are typical, yet unique to their setting.  A greater understanding of topics that impact these educators includes funding resources for alternative education and the program or services provided by those funds; similarities and difference in AYP expectations and requirements; accountability expectations; quality experiences and exemplary programs;  best practices for alternative learners; variations among alternative programs and services; support systems and resources for alternative education providers; and typical misunderstandings of alternative learners and programs by traditional educator and community members.  

Students will be able to. . .

• Explore the typical misunderstandings of alternative learners and programs
• Evaluate support systems and resources for alternative education providers and programs
• Examine AYP and other accountability expectations and requirements for ALCs
• Identify quality experiences, exemplary programs, and best practices for alternative learners 

Post Secondary Enrollment Options, a program designed to give eleventh and twelfth grade student’s access to post secondary education turned twenty years old in 2005. Minnesota’s PSEO Program was the first in the nation. This landmark was celebrated December 13 by the convening of over fifty participants to react to a report published by the Center for School Change (CSC). The title of the study is “Stretching Minds and Resources – 20 Years of Post Secondary Enrollment Options in Minnesota” by Joe Nathan, Laura Accomando and Debra Hare Fitzpatrick.