Disruptive students take the focus off learning. That s just not fair. Our schools should be safe havens for our children. This is the second round of alternative-education grants this year. The Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth Program is a key component of Gov. Ridge s landmark Safe Schools initiative.
Schools can use the funds to remove chronically disruptive students from regular school programs.
Alternative-education programs offer specialized instruction and counseling to help disruptive students change their behavior. All school districts, area vocational-technical schools, charter schools and intermediate units are eligible to apply for grants. Funds are awarded to all eligible applicants on a proportional basis. Last year, Gov. Ridge signed into law Act 48, giving schools another new tool to help them deal with chronically disruptive students. Under this new law, schools are able to contract with private, alternative-education providers.