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Alternative learning and psychiatric day treatment: examining the intersection of academics and therapy
Dissertation   Open access

Alternative learning and psychiatric day treatment: examining the intersection of academics and therapy

Lisajane Kappler
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
May 2019
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/1ybn-aj10
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Kappler_Lisajane_20191.16 MBDownloadView

Abstract

Student suspension Problem youth--Education Psychiatric day treatment for children Special Education
When secondary school students display continued negative behaviors, school administrators often decide to assign out-of-school suspension or transfer the students to alternative placements, citing the school's inability to educate these students in the district's home setting. Out-of-district placements are not an option for all districts, pushing them to create their own alternative programs, relying on their own discipline policies. Zero-tolerance policies, which rely on out-of-school suspensions, often fail to change behaviors and can, in fact, contribute to increased negative behavior. Public educators, often concerned with declining graduation rates, have observed an increase in students with mental health disorders, who exhibit negative behaviors. In an attempt to ensure the safety and success of all students, districts have proposed alternative settings, which include psychiatric day-treatment components. This case study explored and sought to understand the intersection of psychiatric treatment with providing instruction in the state-required academics in two alternative learning programs. Additionally, this study explored the relationship between participation in the alternative-learning programs and a diminished suspension rate.

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