Background

Federation Background

The Metropolitan Federation of Alternative Schools (MFAS) is an alliance of 13 community-based nonprofit organizations that operate 17 small alternative school sites in the Twin Cities area.  This type of educational option was developed in the late 1960s to deal with the growing problem of school dropouts and juvenile delinquency.  These services are publicly funded through the Minnesota Department of Education and privately supported through grants from the United Way, civic organizations, churches, foundations, corporations and individuals.  Although most of these sites serve high school students, a few schools are designed for middle and elementary-aged young people.  MFAS supports member schools by offering coordinated extracurricular activities, academic development, legislative advocacy, post-secondary scholarships, accreditation, tobacco prevention services, health screenings and program evaluation.

Most of the sites are classified as contract alternative programs because they have formal agreements with local school districts to serve at-risk students.  However, two MFAS members are categorized as structured day treatment facilities for court-ordered youngsters and two are becoming charter schools.  The contract alternative school initiative was the harbinger of the charter school movement and was created to reach out to students who are not successful in standard educational settings.  All MFAS sites are similar in that they have small class sizes, increased individual academic help, enhanced supplemental services and strong parental involvement.

Laws governing alternative schools were passed by the Minnesota State Legislature in 1987 and require that the students enrolled must exhibit one or more of the following characteristics:  truancy, expulsion from prior schools, academically behind grade level, low test scores, limited English proficiency, pregnancy, homelessness, victims of abuse, chemical dependency, mental illness and/or school district referral.  Other traits commonly seen among MFAS student populations are high rates of poverty, feelings of alienation and disenfranchisement, transient families and a sense of being unwelcome in traditional schools.

Despite these challenges, MFAS students achieve remarkable results.  For example, on average, students enrolled for one year or more make equal or better gains on the Minnesota Basic Skills Test when compared to those in conventional public schools.  Also, MFAS schools have improved attendance and graduation rates significantly for their students.

MFAS supports member schools by offering coordinated extracurricular activities, academic development, legislative advocacy, post-secondary scholarships, accreditation, health services and program evaluation.

What makes a contract alternative school different from a charter school?

 

Contract alternative schools are often confused with charter schools. While some charter schools may develop similar missions, most are not oriented to serve students who are failing in public schools.