The role of relationships, curriculum design, and program culture in improving academic and behavioral outcomes in a disciplinary alternative education program: A photovoice study

Abstract

The literature on “what works” in disciplinary alternative education is inconclusive. Our current understanding of effective disciplinary alternative education programs is based primarily on quantitative data collected for administrative purposes. The voices of youth directly affected by disciplinary alternative education programs are often excluded from the conversation. To fill this gap in the literature, our study utilizes Photovoice methodology with 11 youth in disciplinary alternative education programs in the Midwest. The findings suggest the importance of positive relationships with adults, having tailored educational curriculum delivery, and addressing punitive elements of program culture for the academic and behavioral outcomes for youth with moderate to high-risk behaviors in a disciplinary alternative education setting. Youth recommend modification of the curriculum, increase in socialization activities, and improvement of disciplinary and incentive procedures.

Keywords:

• Academic outcome
• behavioral outcome
• disciplinary alternative education
• photovoice
• YPAR

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly, so supporting data is not available.

Additional information

Funding

This project was funded by Wichita State University’s Office of Research and Technology Transfer through a Multidisciplinary Research Project Award.

Notes on contributors

Daria Shamrova

Daria Shamrova is an assistant professor at Texas State University. Her current research interests are child and youth participation in decision-making in their communities, organizations and policy efforts.

Breanna Boppre

Breanna Boppre is an assistant professor at Sam Houston State University. Her current research interests include the ways victimization, adversity, and trauma lead to system-involvement through gendered, intersectional, and familial lenses.

Joana Lampe

Joana Lampe is a doctoral student at Michigan State University. Her current research interests are the child welfare system, the health care system, and mental health in children and adults, as well as the intersection of the three.

Michaela Hastings

Michaela Hastings is a practicing licensed social worker with the interest in mental health and individuals experiencing severe mental illness.