Goals and Objectives

The Crossroads Regional Alternative Program will focus its efforts to achieve the following goals and objectives during the 2008-2009 school year.

1. Improvement in Student Academic Achievement
   The students participating in the Crossroads Alternative Program will demonstrate improved academic achievement by:

• returning to his or her regular classroom program

• achieving passing scores on SOL assessments

• completing the requirements for regular graduation and/or

• preparing for successful completion of the General Education Development Certificate

Plan for Evaluation:  The Crossroads staff and program director will compare each student's grade point average from the beginning of the 2001-2002 school year to their GPA at the conclusion of the year.  IN addition, progress toward completion for the GED, success in achieving passing scores on SOL assessments, completion of courses for high school credit, positive advancement toward transitioning to  the student's regular classroom environment, tracking of attendance, and other means as determined throughout the school year will be assessed.

2. Increases in the Involvement of the Student's Family and Community Resources

Parents, legal guardians, truant officers, probation officers, counselors, school resource officers, and others will be involved in the regional alternative deduction program.  In fact, all individuals and organizations thought to be of assistance and support to Crossroads students will be vigorously recruited and encouraged to participate and assist.

Plan for Evaluation:  Crossroads Alternative Program will use contracts with students and parent(s)/guardians(s), home visits, minutes of meetings, and records of contact with probation and truant officers, and other agencies.

3. Improvement in Student Conduct

The student participants in the Crossroads Program will reduce the number of violations of the division's policies and/or  Codes of Conduct, along with incidents of misbehavior and absenteeism.  Students will demonstrate an increase in their ability to manager their own behavior in positive ways.

Plan for Evaluation:  Crossroads personnel will maintain records of disciplinary infractions, juvenile court referrals, and attendance in order to make a comparison with previous records at the beginning of the school year.

4. Increase in the Competency and Effectiveness of the Instructional Staff

The instructional staff for the Crossroads Alternative Program will participate in staff development training activities throughout the year.

Plan for Evaluation:  The evaluation of this goal will be through records of staff development participation, participant enrollment sheets, and presentation of conference agendas and similar evidence of attendance.  Evaluations of instructional staff should show evidence of effective instructional strategies developed through staff development opportunities.

Crossroads Alternative School
Fact Sheet

• Our alternative programs part of a regional program.  We work in conjunction with Washington County.  There is a site in Bristol and one in Washington County.

• The intent of the "Crossroads" alternative program continues to be to serve and educate high-risk school age middle and high school students (grades 6-12).

• Most of the students placed in our alternative program for one or more of the following reasons:

• Violated a school policy

• Inflicted intentional harm on another person;

• Failed all of their previous year's classes;

• Placed on long term (10 days or more) suspension or expulsion; or

• Returned to the school division from a correctional placement

Consideration will be given to those students who have extreme difficulties in adjusting to a traditional school  setting or who have exhibited excessive problems of another type.

• School administrators, teachers, counselors, and support personnel will make initial decisions concerning the placement of students in the Crossroads Program.  The division's superintendent or his designee must agree to the recommendations.

• The Crossroads Alternative Program will be structured to the address the academic needs and social adjustment of its students.  The program will include the following components:

• Academic instruction 

• Individual and/or group counseling

• Behavior modification

• Conflict resolution

• Transition Plan

• These students will follow the division's curriculum and the Virginia Standards of Learning objectives.  The program may utilize texts and materials available for regular courses and additional support materials.

• Some students may be allowed to continue their vocational education and other students may work directly toward their Graduate Equivalent Diplomas (GED).  An opportunity to improve and advance in computer literacy skills may also be provided and emphasized.

• It is the intent of this program that students will not necessarily remain in the program for the entire school year.  Each student may transition back to the regular classes and programs of their middle or high school upon acceptance by the school administration and superintendent of his designee.

• The alternative program operates in such a manner as to coordinate with the school calendar reflecting normal holidays and snow schedules.

• Once a student has been referred for placement in  the Crossroads program, school administrators will schedule a meeting with the referred student's parent(s) or guardian(s) to explain the program.  The staff feels strongly that communication with the home is essential initially and continuously for the success of both the student and the program.  Regularly Crossroads officials will notify parent(s)/guardian(s) of their student's academic and behavioral progress.  Report cards will be issued each six weeks.  The Crossroads staff will encourage families to contact them at anytime to discuss any concerns or problems their children may be experiencing in the program.

Proposed Program Outline

Provided by VMS and VHS Counselors, the SRO officers, the Student Assistance Counselor and the Truant Officer

Language Arts
Math
Social Studies
Science

Provided by the Crossroads Alternative teacher and classroom aide

Provided by a vocational, computer, or physical education teacher or teachers

***Students enrolled in the morning program will leave at 12:30 p.m.

Provided by the Crossroads Alternative teacher and classroom aide