This is a follow-up to an earlier blog of mine. Read it at http://www.jordannews.com/node/5127.

Today, I received this press release from the office of State Rep. David Bly, who represents the House district that includes Helena Township:

ST. PAUL -- Rep. David Bly, D-Northfield, will chair an E-12 Education hearing devoted to the challenges facing alternative schools in Minnesota.

The hearing will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 23, in room 118 of the State Office Building in St. Paul.

Bly, along with several representatives, will hear testimony from several teachers working in alternative schools as well as a number of professionals who have studied them.

Bly, who has taught in Northfield Alternative Learning Center for more than twenty years, said the purpose of the hearing will be to understand the students, methods, assessment practices, and accountability of alternative schools in Minnesota.

"Alternative schools have for decades served as an invaluable tool to educate students who have struggled to learn in the normal public school setting," said Bly. "These hearings will shed light on how alternative schools have been successful and help us understand what can be done to further improve our ability to enhance the school experience for students enrolled in alternative schools."

At the hearing, Terry Lydell of the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs will provide an overview of alternative schools and present a glossary of terms and quality indicators. Wayne Jennings, former principal of the St. Paul Open School and an education expert, will talk about brain development and innovative teaching methods in alternative schools. Also, three program directors and a researcher will discuss the criteria and the innovative programs used in alternative schools. In addition, representatives from the Minnesota Department of Education will answer questions from the committee.

"In every area of the state we have a diverse population of kids with diverse individual learning process, " said Bly. "Alternative schools are a way we can reach students who are struggling to get a quality education from the normal school setting."

Bly added, "Lee Stringer, a noted author once said 'All children are at-risk, the difference is that not all children have someone to catch them when they fall.' Alternative schools can catch some of these kids by providing them a learning institution more closely tailored to their specific needs, so they can receive a quality education."

Bly said the alternative school working group will hold two to three more hearings before the state legislature convenes in session next February.