Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/755919
Schools for Second Chances Elementary school. Middle school. High school. College. It's the road we expect students to travel in life. It's the road, they say, to success. Alternative schools offer youth a different path to success By Sherry Posnick-Goodwin Photos by Scott Buschman But sometimes a bump in the road leads students to take a different path, and they may falter. It could be losing a parent, having a child, or becoming homeless or incar- cerated. Some of these students wind up in an alternative school, which may be their last chance to earn a diploma before adulthood. It takes a special kind of educator to take on these students. It requires patience, caring and tough love. And even if students give up on themselves, teachers can't give up on them. e work, say CTA members, is challenging but ultimately rewarding. ey know they are making a real difference in young people's lives. What follows are snapshots of three alternative schools: a court school for juvenile offenders, a dropout recovery and prevention program, and a continuation school. They all offer youths a second chance at school — and life. 34 cta.org Coronado High School's Tunisia Fountain says, "Personal connections are everything. We show students we care about them and are vested in their success." Feature