Lisa Fortenberry wrote:
ISS can be effective if the right personnel is in place. OSS is a vacation and many students WANT OSS. That's one reason BATS (Burke Alternative To Suspension) was created. They are assigned "OSS" but they must work during those days. There are several businesses that collaborate with the school system to make BATS work. Each year, the number of repeaters decreases!!!
Wow, this sounds great. What a life experience as well for these students to get out in the community and see the real world. How do the businesses work with the legal/liability issues I wonder. I commend the county in building the relationships with businesses in the community which can only enhance these students educational experiences. Cleveland County has an alternative school another short term center for students who have been suspended and another program for students who can't seem to perform in a normal school setting. I wish we would put some time and effort into a program like your BATS that could possibly make a difference for those students which could possibly get them back in school and be successful.
if you run across any of the info for this program will you email it to me who knows maybe our county will consider it.