Alternative Education Center aims to boost student attendance

As the dropout rate falls at the Alternative Education Center in the Cape Girardeau School District, attendance is still a challenge for students.

Carla Fee, the center's director, gave a presentation to school board members during a work session. Fee said the center's dropout rate fell from 12 percent to 8 percent between the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 school years. It is projected to be 6 percent at the end of the current school year, she said. More students are staying at the school to continue their studies, she said.

"It's easier for them to be successful in that small environment," Fee said.

The alternative school enrolls about 120 students from grade six to high school seniors. She said administrators and counselors nominate students from the middle, junior and high schools.

The center moved into its current location, which adjoins district administrative offices on North Spring Avenue, in August 2008.

Fee said the school continues to focus on attendance issues.

"We're constantly fighting that perception that they don't have to be in school," she said.

Some students have children and many had attendance problems coming into the school, she said. The attendance rate for the current year is projected to be 87.8 percent compared to 88.4 percent last year. Districtwide, the attendance rate was 94.3 percent last year.

She said the free and reduced lunch rate at the school is 82 percent, which compares to 53.7 percent districtwide.

Fee said the school is also increasing its focus on internships and job shadowing. Setting goals for after graduation motivates students to finish school, she said.

"We keep telling them a high school diploma is not enough," Fee said.

During the regular meeting, the board recognized board member Laura Sparkman for her service to the district. She finished her second term on the board and will not run for re-election in the April race.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

301 N. Clark Ave. Cape Girardeau, MO