Assessing the Efficacy of an Experimental Alternative Middle School: A Case Study, 2(13)

Abstract

The Alternative Middle School represented a collaboration between two school districts, city governments, a post secondary school, and a university. Findings revealed that although career awareness was one of the original three goals set for the school, student outcomes in this area were marginal. This is significant since the school was purposefully situated on the university's research farm in order to enrich students' contact with the world of work. Perceptions of school climate and level of operational support greatly influenced the school stakeholders. The research protocol and the results obtained herein may suggest useful direction for the establishment and assessment of similar schools.