Alternative learning systems provide non-traditional places and methods of study for those who cannot attend traditional schools due to physical or learning disabilities, behavioral needs, religious beliefs, advanced instruction, or specialized job skills. These systems include private schools, charter schools, alternative secondary or secondary schools, and alternative colleges or universities. They offer individualized instruction, assistive technology, and modified learning objectives and goals. Online education is also an alternative system for busy adult learners.
Alternative learning systems provide non-traditional places and methods of study for those who choose not to attend traditional schools or who struggle to keep up with typical fellow learners for various reasons such as physical or learning disabilities. The term alternative education can refer to the learning style itself or to a school and its implemented learning system. Such schools and systems may include: private schools, charter schools, alternative secondary or secondary schools, and alternative colleges or universities. Some proponents also consider homeschooling to be an alternative form of learning.
People who choose alternative learning systems, for their children or for themselves, do so for a variety of reasons. A common reason is to accommodate the physical, emotional, or behavioral needs of students with special needs, such as learning disabilities or developmental delays. Non-traditional learning systems can also be implemented to help disruptive or “disturbed” students complete their studies. Other reasons for choosing alternative education center on religious beliefs, advanced instruction for gifted students, or specialized instruction for specific job or career skills.
Charter and private schools that adopt alternative learning systems are generally operated independently, although they may receive public funding. They function as alternatives to public schools and may have a specific instructional focus, such as technology or business. These specialty schools are often known as “magnetic” schools because they attract a target group of students with specific interests and talents. Private schools can be secular or religious, but they generally boast academic excellence in their results.
Secondary and secondary schools often use alternative learning systems to prevent at-risk students from dropping out of school. At-risk students with low achievement, disruptive behavior or challenging personal circumstances can be helped by alternative education. On the other hand, some secondary and alternative secondary schools function in a similar way to charter and private schools, offering specialized instruction in key areas for talented students with greater aptitude. Yet another type of alternative education caters to those students with developmental or learning difficulties, or medical conditions, by providing them with a therapeutic environment that will help them overcome barriers to learning. This environment often provides accommodations such as individualized instruction, assistive technology, and modified learning objectives and goals.
At the upper levels of alternative learning systems are alternative colleges and universities. These non-traditional learning environments tend to focus on “progressive” studies such as “green” or environmental issues, alternative medicine and practices, and specific religious beliefs and practices. In both traditional and non-traditional programs, higher education institutions can offer online learning as an alternative system for busy adult learners. Online education can provide a more flexible and convenient means for these students to earn valuable degrees for career advancement or new career opportunities.
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