Kerka S. (2003), Alternatives for At-Risk and Out-of-School Youth. ERIC Digest

S.

(2003)

Alternatives for At-Risk and Out-of-School Youth. ERIC Digest

"At risk" is a problematic term, a label that "may place students at more risk than internal and external factors" (Sanders 2000, p. 3). Many youth "at risk" are not well served by mainstream schooling, and in this era of standardized testing the stakes are high for them and for schools (Raywid 2001). Thus, educators are considering alternative ways to help these youth succeed in school and beyond. This Digest examines research on what makes alternative programs effective environments for youth at risk and describes programs in which these factors play a key role.