Alternative Level III Program (Grade 9-10)

Contact Person:  
Stacey Shehadi - Director of Alternative Education

Alternative Level III Program
BOCES Center for Learning
12 Allen Street
Auburn, NY 13021
Staci Berg - Social Worker

Program Description:
 The Alternative Level III Program is designed to work with 15 and 16 year old students who have not been successful in the traditional school setting.  This program is intended for students who cannot be served in the home school district because of extended and prolonged disciplinary histories.  Students may enter the program through a formal superintendent's dismissal hearing or an informal conference.  The program works on academic study areas that lead to academic and pro-social achievement.  Academic courses that are offered include English, Global Studies, and Integrated Algebra and Environmental Science.  Students served by this program receive counseling and support services.  Career exploration and life skills are central to the program.  The program places a strong emphasis on building positive partnerships between students, families, and school.  The Alternative Level III Program is intended for students who fall between the Middle School level and various GED programs.  Students participate for three hours of academic instruction during the day.  Two sessions with eight students per session constitute the instructional day. Classroom space has been designed to provide small group instruction and counseling for students and families.

Who Should Participate:
Students who are 15 or 16 years old and:
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Have established a significant disciplinary record
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Are absent from school and have missed significant instructional time
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Are failing courses and falling behind their peers in the classroom
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Remediation counseling, and various interventions have not been successful
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Are at risk of dropping out of school
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Have the cognitive ability to do high school level academics
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Have aquired little or no high school credit

The Alternative Level III Program offers students:
- An opportunity to work within small group and individualized educational settings
- An opportunity to increase pro-social skills within an environment that supports student acquisition of appropriate behavioral skills.
- An opportunity to improve communication skills necessary to appropriately develop positive relationships with peers and adults.
- An opportunity to be a part of the educational team that determines educational, career, and personal goals.
- An opportunity to remain in the family and community and avoid residential placement.

Referral Process:
Students referred to the program will be taken through an intake evaluation process after an application is received from the home school district to the Director of Alternative Education.  This assessment will determine the appropriateness of the program for the student and family, directly assess the student's needs and goals, and establish an educational plan for the student.

Staffing:
One teacher and a school social worker are responsible for program delivery.  The team works with a total of 16 students during the regular school day.  The average class size is eight students.  The small class size provides the students with the opportunity to receive a significant amount of individualized attention.

Transition Information:
Curriculum is employed that works on the fourcore subject areas of English, Global Studies, Integrated Algebra, and Environmental Science.  Transition goals are established during program participation that clearly define duration of participation and outline a continuing educational path.  Communication with the home school is on going and seen as an essential component of this program.

Transportation:
Students are transported to these programs via home school buses.  Staggered instructional sessions provide for small group instruction.  The morning session is approximately 8:00 a.m. until 11 a.m.  The afternoon session runs from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m.  Scheduling of students is completed in a manner that attempts to meet the needs of both students and districts transportation requirements.

Cost:
Component school districts annually submit requests for services.  The budget has been developed to accommodate eight students in the morning session and eight students in the afternoon session.  A tuition rate is established according to program needs and district requests.  Districts may choose to exchange slots during the school year with other districts when the need may arise.  Letters of agreement are required when this occurs.