Recently, the NZCER released a report based on students’ own experiences of alternative education (AE).

It was interesting to read how perceptive these kids are about their learning needs.  They need one-to-one support.  They prefer very small classes.  They like the intimate nature of AE centres and feel swamped in mainstream secondary schools. 

 The report also mentions the range of health and social issues young people in AE are likely to be grappling with: drugs, alcohol, gang affiliations, poverty, learning setbacks, anger… Obviously not all kids in AE experience all these factors.  However, most do have several of these ongoing challenges in their lives.  They have complex needs which are hard to deal with.

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