ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL GRANTS ARE GOOD INVESTMENT

The Alternative School program in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Perryville earned a major boost last week. More than $441,000 was awarded to these programs that serve at-risk youths, along with the Clean Streams Project.

There's a lot of grant money doled out each year, both from state and federal dollars. Some of the grants finance rather dubious projects.

But the Alternative School programs seem well worth the investment.

The money comes from the 32nd Judicial Circuit Juvenile Division. These judges hope to see these youngsters stay in school and out of trouble.

If the funding continues as expected over the next five years, the programs will receive more than $5 million from the Juvenile Court Diversion Funding Committee in Jefferson City.

The largest of these programs operates in Cape Girardeau. It began two years ago on a small scale at the Salvation Army. Initial funding came from the Division of Youth Services.

In January, the program more than doubled and relocated to the Cape Girardeau Civic Center. The program helps students who may not make it in a normal classroom setting. It offers more one-on-one instruction.

If not for the Alternative School program, a number of these students may have quit school all together.

The Alternative School programs in Jackson and Perryville have both operated one semester. Jackson's program served 15 students with an impressive 97 percent attendance rate.

Perryville plans to double the size of its program next year, with the addition of computer technology.

The Clean Streams Project is a collaborative effort between the 32nd Circuit Juvenile Division, the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Conservation. It is a restitution and community service work project that involves young people in environmental projects. The program will triple in size next year with the additional funding.

Alternative Schools are a tangible way for districts to enhance lagging graduation rates. Both nationally and statewide, graduation rates hover around the 75 percent mark. It's a staggering figure.

In this day of heightened technology, many people without high school diplomas may be left behind.

For some students, the regular classroom setting just doesn't cut it. It may be their own skill levels. It may be tied to personal situations at home. Some of these students may also be disruptive to the general learning environment for other students.

Public education must address the needs of these students to keep them in school beyond the state requirement of age 16. Alternative Schools may be just the remedy to keep more at-risk students in school.