Alternative Education
Not just an alternative, but an opportunity.
As early as 1984, the Tennessee General Assembly passed a bill authorizing the establishment of an alternative school for students who were having disciplinary problems. In 1992, the General Assembly mandated that one alternative school be established for each local school district to serve suspended and expelled youth. The Tennessee Department of Education works to help districts ensure that quality alternative learning environments are created for students. The Department coordinates activities of both the Study Council for Alternative Education and the Governor’s Advisory Council for Alternative Education. Both entities work alongside Department officials to improve alternative education in Tennessee and to serve as an advocate for students and teachers in alternative school settings.
LEAs should use the model standards for alternative education linked below as guidelines to create effective local policies and procedures related to alternative schools and alternative education programs.
- Please reference the National Alternative Education Association Exemplary Practices page for additional information.
- 2023-24 Annual Alternative Education Report
- 2022-23 Annual Alternative Education Report
- 2020-21 Alternative Education Annual Report
- 2019-20 Alternative Education Annual Report
- 2018-19 Alternative Education Annual Report
- 2017-18 Alternative Education Annual Report
- 2015-16 Alternative Education Annual Report
The Governor's Advisory Council for Alternative Education is comprised of 10 members including parents of children attending an alternative school or who have attended, teachers, principals, members of local boards of education, community representatives, and a member of the Tennessee Alternative Educators Association. Appointments are made by the Governor for a term of 3 years.
The Advisory Council is charged to do the following:
- Consider any issue, problem or matter related to alternative education presented to it by the Governor, the Commissioner, or the State Board of Education, and give advice thereon.
- Study proposed plans for alternative education programs or curricula to determine if the plans or curricula should be adopted.
- Study alternative education programs or curricula implemented in Tennessee school systems to determine the effectiveness of the programs or curricula, and alternative education programs or curricula implemented in other states to determine if the programs or curricula should be adopted in Tennessee schools.
- Consider rules of governance of alternative schools and make recommendations concerning rules of governance.
- Make an annual report to the Governor, the education committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Commissioner of Education and the State Board of Education on the state of alternative education in Tennessee. The report shall be submitted prior to February 1 each year.
Alternative Education Advisory Council Meeting Agendas
August 2024
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Dr. Karen Ball | Chair Person |
| Lee Farris | Vice-Chair Person |
| Josiah Holland | Secretary |
| Bryan Douglas | Council Member |
| Suzie Estes | Council Member |
| Dr. Momodou Keita | Council Member |
| Sharon Lindsey | Council Member |
| Martina Stump | Council Member |
| Melita Thomas | Council Member |
| Leslie Watson | Executive Secretary |
Next Meeting:
August 5, 2025, 9:00-11:00 a.m. CT/10:00 to 12:00 ET
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