Evaluation of an “Alternative” School in South Georgia: Does It Improve Grades, Behavior, and Attendance?

Authors

Michael Capece
Debra Vis
Peggy Lester
Felicia Hilson
Samantha Crawford
David Miller
Kelly Strozier
Herbertta Thomas
Teresa Wilson

Abstract

Using both quantitative and qualitative analyses, an evaluation of Westside Performance Learning Center (PLC) was completed. The central research question was, “Do students enrolled in the PLC experience a positive change in grades, behavior, and attendance?” T-tests comparing the conventional school and the PLC indicated that there was a statistically significant improvement in grades and behavior. Additionally, a focus group conducted with a sample of students at the PLC indicated that program structure, students’ relationships with faculty/staff, and general school environment had a positive impact on grades, behavior, and attendance. We also considered the effects of mentoring and incentives on the students. Recommendations for program improvement were also discussed.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Capece, Michael; Vis, Debra; Lester, Peggy; Hilson, Felicia; Crawford, Samantha; Miller, David; Strozier, Kelly; Thomas, Herbertta; and Wilson, Teresa (2006) "Evaluation of an “Alternative” School in South Georgia: Does It Improve Grades, Behavior, and Attendance?," Georgia Educational Researcher: Vol. 4: Iss. 1, Article 1.
DOI: 10.20429/ger.2006.040101
Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gerjournal/vol4/iss1/1