This paper describes one instructor's experiences in teaching an introductory psychology course in a traditional college (Rhode Island College) setting and in the College's nontraditional Urban Educational Center. The students at the Center, which offered tuition-free enrollment classes in high school equivalency preparation, adult basic…

The purpose of this study was to explore the various types of alternative programs offered in American secondary schools, the ways in which they differ from traditional programs, and their success in educating their students, particularly those classified as at risk. The question "Should students have a choice of schools?" is examined in annotated…

The American College Testing Program (ACT) developed tests as a result of the College Outcome Measures Project (COMP). These instruments were intended for evaluation of nontraditional and traditional postsecondary education programs. They measure skills rather than information. The study was designed to check on several aspects of use of the COMP…

States that alternative public schools are a viable option, and provides an overview of the range of opportunities provided by such schools. (Editor)

A Statements about Schools Inventory was used to assess the attitudes of teachers and students about the degree to which alternative and conventional high schools meet the needs in Maslow's hierarchy. Results showed that alternative school environments are more conducive to the satisfaction of basic human needs. (SK)

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of the alternative school on high school students' attitude toward school, career expectations and aspirations. (Editor)

The Defining Issues Test (DIT), which utilizes the moral development stage theory of L. Kohlberg, was administered to 41 students from an upper middle class school district in Pennsylvania. The scores of students who elected to attend the alternative high school were compared with the scores of students who elected to attend the district's…

This report describes a conference co-sponsored in April of 1972 by Educational Facilities Laboratory and the Institute for Development of Educational Activities, in which 35 educators met to seek ways of making secondary schools healthier, happier, more productive places for young people. The point was made that since America has produced a new…

The adaptation of students from an open junior high school to a traditional high school is the focus of this article. Students' adjustment to the new school, their academic performance, and attitude toward school are discussed, and findings indicate that only in attitude did they differ from students from other junior high schools. (JD)

From 1998 to 2001, the number of community schools in Ohio increased from 15 to 92, and the number of students attending them increased tenfold. This preliminary evaluative report is limited to the first 15 community schools that opened during the 1998-99 school year. Findings are that these schools generally did not meet the Ohio Proficiency Test…

Researchers used the Youth Risk Behavior Survey to examine the prevalence of health risk behaviors of students attending an alternative high school (AHS) and students attending a regular high school (RHS). More AHS than RHS students engaged in health risk behaviors and initiated risk behaviors at younger ages. (SM)

This article traces the history of the progressive education movement and its impact on traditional schools and discusses the complex problems involved with arriving at a satisfactory educational balance between the different concepts. (JD)

The academic success of students with previous open school experience who entered structured or traditional schools was impeded. (MM)

This paper provides an analysis of alternative schools that may help understand their problems and kindle future interest, together with guidelines as to how these schools might be more effectively organized. Two case studies are provided to illustrate the importance of authority patterns in these schools. (AM)

This study investigates the moral development of thirty 5-year-old children in Montessori and traditional preschools. Data for the study were derived from five sources: an intelligence test; a perspective taking task; an altruism/helping task; an altruism/sharing task; and an interview for exploring moral reasoning. Two 30 to 45 minute sessions…