IALA » Iowa Assoc. Alt Ed

A Second Side to the Story

Wayne Jennings — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:06:48 +0000

Many students identified as at-risk become dropouts from school. Most of the discussion about dropouts focuses on characteristics of the students with little examination of the policies and practices of schools that contribute to student failure. Those policies and practices represent the second side of the story about why so many students dropout or give up. Revision of school policies can contribute greatly to student success.

The Iowa Dept. of Education and the Iowa Association of Alternative Education created the Inventory of Policies & Practices Related to Student Failure and Dropping Out defining over 50 policies and practices that contribute to student failure. This powerful tool helps in the review of school policies and in creating new policies to increase student success. This carefully developed inventory is free and can be modified to fit local needs. Also included is a student questionnaire for their views.

Dr. Ray Morley on a recent webcast (see below) reported on this excellent tool on crucial factors impacting student dropouts and what unfortunately may result in “push outs.”

Webcast: Dropout Crisis

Wayne Jennings — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 05:47:45 +0000

Ray Morley, long time educator on alternatives and at-risk and IALA board member presented an informative webcast March 25, 3:30-4:30 EST on Solutions to the Dropout Crisis, Policies and Practices Related to Student Failure and Dropping Out: Tools and Resources. The program was sponsored by National Dropout Prevention Center/Network at Clemson University and Penn Foster.The program was archived in its entirety on the Web site and is available in case you missed the March 25 broadcast.

Information about participating in dropout professional development opportunities is at www.dropoutprevention.org/webcast. If you have further questions, feel free to contact the National Dropout Prevention Center or 864

Alternative Schools Help Students: Proof

Wayne Jennings — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 04:25:40 +0000

Most attempts to judge schools depend on test scores. Few reports cover the personal impact on students. The Iowa Association of Alternative Education has updated their Iowa Success Stories of Alternative Schools and Students which tells the moving personal stories of dozens of students. This evidence of the power of alternative educational programs to turn around the lives of students provides important data for policy makers and evaluators. The report also has other research data and statistics plus references. This valuable report is available for all to use on the IALA website which contains much other useful reports and data.

State Alternative Education Conferences

Wayne Jennings — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 23:59:40 +0000

The Iowa Association of Alternative Education will hold their annual conference April 11-13, 2007 in Des Moines. The theme is “Raise Your Hand and Give Yourself a Pat on the Back.” Keynote speakers include Elliot Washor and Ray Morley. In addition to numerous breakout sessions other presenters include Donna Downing, Jerry Mintz and Ron Newell. The site is the Airport Holiday Inn. It promises to be stimulating and provocative. IALA will be represented by Executive Director, Dan Daly.

The Michigan Alternative Education Organization will hold their conference April 25-27, 2007 in Boyne Highlands, Michigan with the theme, Another Choice, Another Chance. Bill Sanders is the keynoter with breakout sessions on highly qualified, computer projects, math and new standards, administrative issues, violence assessments, Like Water Drumworks. It promises to be stimulating and provocative.

The Oklahoma Alternative Education Summer Institute will be held June 19-21, 2007 in Oklahoma City.

The New York State Alternative Education Association will hold their annual conference at Ithaca October 18-19, 2007.

The Washington Association for Learning Alternatives will hold its annual fall November 8-10, 2007 in Pasco.

Several other states have held their conferences earlier this year: Connecticut, Iowa, Virginia.

IALA Conference

Wayne Jennings — Tue, 12 Apr 2005 21:08:00 +0000

The International Association for Learning Alternatives held its 34th annual conference April 6-8, 2005 in Waterloo in conjunction with the Iowa Association of Alternative Education. Everyone enjoyed a well-planned and stimulating conference. Keynoters were Gary Phillips and Ann White. Both were awesome and inspiring. A wide variety of breakout sessions featured practical, experiential, charter schools, powerful instructional strategies, differentiating learning, NCLB issues, STARS youth organization and many others. Tom Keating, Minnesota teacher of the year presented which was interesting as he was the first such from an alternative school.

Next year’s conference will be June 29-July1, 2006 in beautiful Ocean Shores, Washington. Save the date. Watch for information.

Great Links to Alternative Education

Wayne Jennings — Mon, 25 Aug 2003 21:45:57 +0000

The Iowa Association of Alternative Education has a fine web site and loads of links to other sources of info on alternatives, articles, and books.

Iowa Conference

Wayne Jennings — Fri, 21 Mar 2003 17:14:17 +0000

Iowa will hold its annual conference on alternative programs April 10-11, 2003 in Council Bluffs, IA. Speakers include Dr. Steve Sroka, Wayne Sakamoto, Dr. Ray Morley. There will be breakout sessions and exhibitor booths.