Academic and Behavior Outcomes in Behavior-Focused Alternative Middle Schools

• In Event: 32.076 - Special Education Research SIG Paper Session 1: Issues About Special Education

Abstract

Using a longitudinal data from one urban school district and propensity score matching, we investigated if students attending behavior-focused alternative middle schools experienced different 8th grade reading and suspension outcomes compared to a matched sample of students attending traditional middle schools. Results showed that male, African American, and students with disabilities were significantly overrepresented in behavior-focused alternative middle schools. Moreover, students attending behavior-focused alternative middle schools performed significantly lower in 8th grade reading test. No significant difference was found on the number of 8th grade suspensions for students attending behavior-focused alternative and traditional middle schools. We discuss the implications of these findings for further research.

Authors

• Kemal Afacan, Artvin Coruh University

• Kimber L. Wilkerson, University of Wisconsin