Alternative Education Grant

The Alternative Education Grant aims to support educational programs tailored for public school students in grades 6-12 who struggle to succeed in traditional settings. It strives to provide these students with diverse options that can lead to their graduation, supported by essential services. These alternative education programs typically feature a low student-to-teacher ratio, continuous operation for a minimum duration each day, a clear mission and discipline code, dedicated and caring faculty, ongoing staff development, high expectations for student achievement, learning plans tailored to individual student needs and styles, including Individualized Service Plans (ISP), and strong community involvement and support. The grant program recognizes the diversity in the types of alternative education — from alternative classrooms and school-within-a-school programs to separate alternative schools and last-chance schools for disruptive students. It emphasizes a variety of educational delivery models based on program philosophy and student needs, including models that integrate core academics with Career and Technical Education (CTE) and work-based learning opportunities, as well as those focusing on behavioral intervention. All supported programs are required to comply with educational laws and rules, including the accountability for student mastery of the Indiana Academic Standards.