States use their accountability systems to identify low-performing schools, which can receive added support and are expected to improve. Alternative schools serve students whose needs are not met in a regular school. They often serve at-risk students who are struggling academically or behaviorally. Given this unique population, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) looked at how states hold alternative schools accountable. A review of 15 selected state accountability systems--used to assess all types of schools--found that all 15 include at least one indicator that research organizations and relevant studies considered useful in capturing alternative school achievement. The GAO also found a few states that, as part of their accountability system, adopted approaches to differentiate alternative schools when identifying them for support and improvement.