ALE program places in top 20

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

— The Decatur School District’s Alternative Learning Environment program placed among the top 20 alternative schools in the state in math performance.

Decatur’s ALE program was recognized by the Alternative Educators of Arkansas and the Governor’s Pygmalion Commission on Nontraditional Education. SherrySmith, an instructional paraprofessional for the Decatur program, was presented with an award during an Alternative Education conference in Hot Springs last month.

Wilber said that Smith and math teacher Amy Steele have both worked hard to help struggling math students improve.

Eighteen students, in grades nine through 12, participated in Decatur’s ALE program last year, accordingto Mitch Wilber, Decatur’s federal programs coordinator and instructional facilitator.

Decatur’s ALE program is in its second year. Previously, ALE students were bussed to Siloam Springs, Wilber said. Now students can continue taking regular classes in the subjects in which they are doing well and use the ALE program to catch up on the classes in which they are behind.

Community, Pages 11 on 08/08/2012