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A. Discipline Management
B. Safe Drug-Free Schools and Communities
C. Security
D. Alternative Education Program

CURRENT SITUATION

An alternative education program (AEP) is defined in the MPISD Student Code of Conduct as "a setting other than the student's regular classroom, located on or off campus, that separates AEP students from the regular classroom and focuses on English, language arts, mathematics, science, history, and self discipline." The AEP is to provide for the students' educational and behavioral needs as well as provide supervision and counseling.

The MPISD student discipline policy provides specific guidelines describing offenses that result in placement in the AEP. Exhibit 11-10 presents the types of offenses that can result in placement in the AEP, the number of incidents, and the number of placements.

Exhibit 11-10
AEP Placements During 1997-98
School Year
Type of Offense Number of Incidents Placements in AEP
Disruptive behavior 25 25
Conduct punishable as a felony 3 3
Assault or terroristic threat 9 9
Possessed, sold, or used marijuana or other controlled substance 13 13
Possessed , sold, used, or was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage 1 1
Public lewdness or indecent exposure 2 2
Retaliation against school employee 1 1
Used, exhibited, or possessed a firearm 2 2
Used, exhibited, or possessed an illegal knife 1 1
Aggravated assault or aggravated sexual assault 4 4
Other infractions 17 9

Source: MPISD Administration 1998 TEA Report

The AEP, which is located adjacent to the high school, is staffed with three full-time teachers and two instructional aides. Exhibit 11-11 shows the operating costs of the AEP for each of the last three years.

Exhibit 11-11 MPISD AEP Operating Costs
1995-96 - 1998-99
Budget Category 1995-96 Actual 1996-97 Actual 1997-98 Actual 1998-99 Budget

Salaries and benefits

 $116,905 $103,411 $143,846 $148,860

General supplies

 $888 $4,813 $5,711 $11,000

Travel and other

 $100 $0 $0 $200

Capital outlay

 $0 $0 $0 $0

Total

 $117,893 $108,224 $149,557 $160,060

Source: MPISD Finance Office and Budget

According to MPISD's Alternative Education Department, 85 percent of the students in the program are high school students with the exception of one to three seventh or eighth grade students attending from time to time. Some members of the community told the review team there was some disparity in the ethnic makeup of students placed in the AEP. However, enrollment data provided by the district does not support that assertion (Exhibit 11-12).

Exhibit 11-12
MPISD Ethnicity of Students in AEP
Comparing Fall Enrollment 1995 - 1998
Ethnicity Fall 1995 Fall 1996 Fall 1997 Fall 1998 Total District
Enrollment

Anglo

 36% 45% 43% 46% 42%

African American

 40% 34% 31% 33% 39%

Hispanic

 24% 21% 26% 21% 19%

Total

 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Source: MPISD Alternative Education Department

FINDING

Based upon interviews with teachers, administrators, and principals, MPISD's AEP has been successful in serving more at-risk students. Exhibit 11-13 shows the increase in enrollment and graduates from MPISD AEP.

Exhibit 11-13
Enrollment and Graduates
MPISD Alternative Education Program
1995-96 - 1997-98
Year Total Enrollment Long-term Enrollment Graduates
1995-96 53 12 3
1996-97 57 23 3
1997-98 79 21 10

Source: MPISD Alternative Education Program

Although the AEP was started just four years ago, the district has developed a program that is helping students become successful. Contributing to this program are dedicated teachers who enjoy working with at-risk students.

For the 1998-99 school year, MPISD is including a Drop-Out Recovery Program that will be more comprehensive than previous programs for at-risk students. In addition, the district has purchased Plato and Nova-Net, computer-based learning courseware that allow students to take school courses for high school credit while placed in the AEP. The district plans to have the program fully implemented by spring 1999.

COMMENDATION

The district continues to upgrade and improve its alternative education program.