Choices is an alternative high school program that provides services to students with individual education plans (IEP's) or services agreements and who are exhibiting mild to moderate adjustment difficulties. Students work both independently and in small group settings to satisfy IEP requirements and complete course work that is aligned with the general education curriculum.
The primary goal of this program is to provide an alternative setting for up to one academic year for students and then transition them back into either a regular high school setting or another alternative setting.
Why Choices?
Adolescence can be a socially and emotionally confusing time in one’s life. As a result, during the teenage years, some students experience difficulty in relating to their peers and their teachers in the regular education setting. They may not see the importance of school in their lives and for their futures.
The Choices program, operated by the Chester County Intermediate Unit, addresses the academic, social, emotional and behavioral needs of students who are not succeeding in a traditional high school setting.
Choices provides an opportunity for students to learn in a small, caring and personalized setting.
Program Goals
Choices is a transitional alternative education program for high school students. Its goal is to teach students the academic and social skills necessary to be successful in the regular high school setting, in the workplace and in their interpersonal relationships. Additionally, the program supports students’ emotional development so that they develop positive self-esteem as learners and optimism about their futures. The program is designed to facilitate transition to another program within one school year.
Program Features
- High staff to student ratio with a minimum of two teachers and two instructional assistants.
- Support services provided by certified school psychologists, behavior specialists, mental health specialists and a program supervisor.
- Weekly student support discussion groups facilitated by a mental health specialist.
- Instructional and related services for exceptional students.
- Opportunities for on-the-job training.
- Opportunities for occupational skills training at the Center for Arts & Technology Brandywine Campus.
- Coordination of interagency collaboration between school and community agency personnel.
- Collaboration with sending school districts.
- Frequent communication between parents and Choices staff.
Choices Curriculum
- Addresses the unique learning needs and interests of individual students.
- Facilitates transition to a regular school setting by adhering to school district of residence graduation requirements.
- Provides instruction related to the Pennsylvania State Standards.
- Incorporates ongoing pro-social skills instruction.
- Includes instruction that is relevant to career development and daily living.
- Provides opportunities for computer-assisted learning in 23 courses.
A typical day in the Choices program
Students are greeted at the door by staff. The day opens with announcements and reviewing the schedule for the day. Students are then invited to share their achievements and to discuss the hurdles they still need to overcome. This is followed by a teacher-directed pro-social skills or career development lesson.
The remainder of the morning is devoted to four subject areas: mathematics, language arts, social studies and science. Students are divided into groups according to their instructional plans. Each teacher teaches two subject areas with students moving between two classrooms to receive that instruction. Instruction is student centered and includes much student involvement and group interaction.
At the conclusion of the morning session, students and school staff have lunch together.
During the afternoon session, students participate in elective courses. Some students choose to use computer assisted instruction for their electives, while others select a more traditional textbook and direct instruction format.
Throughout the day, staff members incorporate pro-social skills instruction into the academic course work by using real life examples to practice skills that were taught in the student support groups and pro-social skills lessons.
On a weekly basis, students participate in a student support discussion group facilitated by the mental health specialist.
Students’ progress regarding school success skills is evaluated daily by the students themselves through a self-evaluation process and by Choices staff. Students’ progress is also reported to parents on a weekly basis.
In addition, because students have the opportunity for a flexible schedule with part-time enrollment at Choices, job training, vocational school enrollment and transition to their district’s high school, they may follow individually designed schedules. Students following individualized schedules develop a learning contract that allows them to attain the course requirements required for graduation.
For more information:
Contact Cris Chambers at 484-237-5064.
