Education for at-risk students in Illinois: Perceptions of alternative school/program director

This study focused on the perceptions of alternative schools' principals and program directors regarding the success and future direction of alternative education for at-risk students in the state of Illinois.;Useable responses from 149 respondents were analyzed. Demographic data revealed that most respondents were from the central part of Illinois, and were teachers/coordinators of alternative programs. Truancy was found to be the main reason; followed by students with behavior problems for the creation of alternative program in Illinois.;One important feature of an alternative education was that there existed better student-teacher interaction than in regular schools. Findings also indicated that students performed better in academics and behavior, and that they were found to be happier at alternative schools.;Program directors also felt that alternative education was the right place to educate at-risk students, and they were optimistic about the future and survival of alternative education in the state.;Most students attending alternative education were Caucasians (71.4%) followed by African Americans (27.92%). Student-teacher relationship was perceived as the most important factor that distinguished alternative education from conventional schools.;The success of alternative programs in Illinois was attributed to these factors: (a) higher academic achievements; (b) improved attendance; and (c) better attitudes and behavior. Respondents also indicated that the greatest success of their alternative programs was that students were found to be happier at alternative education programs than regular schools.;An important revelation of the study was that program directors were not pleased about the recognition they received from education officials and the general public, despite the success of such programs.;Chi-square tests revealed a statistically significant relationship between four variables: (a) Regional Safe School Program (RSSP) and improvement in attendance, (b) Regional Safe School Program (RSSP) and the perceived success of students, (c) Early School Leavers (ESL) and the choice between lack of funding or obstacles they have indicated in previous question, and (d) Truants' Alternative Optional Education Program (TAOEP) and the perceived success of students.;Recommendation included: continuous funding and assistance for the expansion of alternative education in Illinois.