The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorization requires State Education Agencies to establish a school choice policy for students attending a persistently dangerous school as defined by the state. No Child Left Behind (NCLB) stipulates that a school can be deemed unsafe as a whole entity or for an individual student who is the…

This article discusses how alternative schools, depending on local and state policies, do and do not operate as schools of choice. A case scenario describes a difficult situation for an at-risk young adult. Additionally, the referral process under which many alternative schools function is described. (Contains 8 notes.)