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Alternative Education

Frequently Asked Questions and Promising Practices

I. General Questions

3. Do all districts have to offer an Alternative Education program or school?

School districts are not obligated either by state law or regulations to offer Alternative Education programs in addition to the traditional school structure. The decision to establish an Alternative Education program/school is the choice of individual school districts.

Alternative Education programs/schools are a popular choice among school districts because many programs have made strides in providing positive educational experiences for at-risk students, including those students who may be most in danger of dropping out of school.

See a listing of Alternative Education programs and schools.

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Last Updated: January 17, 2018

 
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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