District To Audit Alternative Ed Programs

A controversial Tulsa program snagged headlines last school year, giving alternative education a bad name.  Now, Tulsa Public Schools is scrutinizing all of its programs.  A national consulting firm is in Tulsa this week to find out what's working and what's not.  The News On 6's education reporter Ashli Sims reports some principals say there's success in second chances.

Sixteen-year-old Jeremy Mason says this time last year, class would be the last place you'd find him.

"Real big school.  Getting in a lot of trouble.  Suspended all the time. Not doing well at all, when I came to Project 12 everything changed for me," said Jeremy Mason.

Project 12 is a second chance for dozens of students, who weren't making it in a traditional high school setting.  The program is just one of the stops on a national consulting firm's tour of alternative education at Tulsa Public Schools.

The Tulsa School Board hired the firm, after allegations surfaced of overcrowding, frequent violence, and bad record-keeping at the Tulsa Academic Center.

"It's very important because we need to take a snapshot and evaluate the programs we have in place now and look to see where the gaps are in services," said alternative education director Rick Palazzo.

Tulsa has five programs being assessed.  The high school programs are Project 12 and the Tulsa Learning Academy, a dropout recovery program in Promenade Mall.

There's also Franklin Youth Academy which offers middle school students a non-traditional environment.  Project Accept is used at three Tulsa elementary schools to cater to younger students.    

The consultants are charged with finding out what's not working, what's needed, and what's making the grade.

Jeremy Mason says he's proof Project 12 is doing just that.      

"My attitude is 100% better.  My grades are 100% better. Everything. I really thank Project 12 for being here," said Jeremy Mason.

The school's motto is: "It's not how you start, but how you finish."

Parents can put in their two cents Wednesday night at the Education Service Center.  From 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., you can drop off your written comments.  You can also submit comments online.

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07/22/2008  New Site Needed For Burbank Academy

6/14/2008  TPS Looking To Shake Up Alternative Program