Cathy Clark on SPS' alternative education programs

The projects included in the Nov. 3 bond proposal address critical needs for our school district and are the right thing to do, but I certainly appreciate the thoughtful public debate the proposals have generated. A healthy community and robust schools require involved parents and citizens. Something that has troubled me is the misperception of the district's alternative education programs and the decision of a few invovled in the debate to portray students in the alternative education program as bad kids whose presence would threaten the neighborhood.

As I've said before, alternative education gives students who, for whatever reason, are not finding success in the normal classroom setting the opportunity to learn to trust themselves and take responsibility for their own achievement.

Posted below is a short video featuring Cathy Clark, SPS' assistant director of alternative education, sharing some thoughts about the role of alternative education and the proposal to house those programs at Study.