Alternative Students In Cheney May Face More Class Hours District Studies Ways To Adapt To State Proposal In/Around: Cheney

Some of the students in Randy Elam’s classroom have full-time jobs or are parents. Or both.

For these teens, the flexibility of Cheney’s alternative high school is the only way they can work toward their diploma. Students meet with teachers one hour each week and do the rest of their work independently.

But a new proposal by the state school superintendent’s office might change that.

State Superintendent Terry Bergeson wants to increase accountability among the state’s many alternative programs.

The plan released last month would make several new stipulations for alternative programs seeking state dollars.

Among the most controversial changes is a proposal to beef up the number of hours students must spend in the classroom.

Right now, many alternative programs require only one hour of instructional time each week. Bergeson wants a minimum of five hours weekly.

The proposal would also demand yearly student assessments.

Cheney educators are wondering how they will adapt if the new rules take effect.

“It would be a huge impact,” said Elam, one of just two teachers in Cheney’s new alternative school. “We wouldn’t have the one-on-one contact with kids we have now.”

Elam fears the increase in hours would mean teachers could meet with students only in groups.

The pair of teachers each now work with about 22 students. Both meet individually with kids for six hours a day.

The Cheney alternative program’s enrollment has close to doubled since the beginning of the school year.

Allen Jones, state director of school apportionment, said he’s heard protests across the state. Because of the volume of complaints, any decision on the changes has been postponed to April at the earliest.

The state office held a public hearing in Olympia last week and also a statewide video conference for school districts to provide input.

“It’s a matter of what accountability is needed for a public school program,” Jones said. “Increasing contact is one way to address the accountability issue.”

Cheney officials are working on how they could accommodate both students and the state.

“There are lots of other models we could use,” said Cheney Assistant Superintendent Annette Granier. The Cheney program allows alternative students access to Cheney High School classes.

One solution might be for some alternative kids to clock some hours at the high school.

Granier said the issue would be discussed at this week’s advisory board meeting.

Some kids may even benefit from more hours in the classroom, Elam said.

“Some of our students need the added structure,” he said.

If the rules are approved, they would go into effect for the 1999-2000 school year.