Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 18, 1995 TAG: 9505180028
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
When former Mayor Noel Taylor came to talk to them, the students in Roanoke's alternative-education school felt almost special.
They had arrived. They no longer felt they were the forgotten kids.
And they were impressed that the former mayor felt honored by their proposal to name the school after him.
The alternative-education program for children who have trouble learning in a traditional academic environment has changed dramatically in recent months - and the students say the changes have given them a new outlook on school and themselves.
The school has a new name: Noel C. Taylor Learning Academy
A new location: Valley Court, a former shopping center near Roanoke Regional Airport.
A partly new staff: All teachers now are licensed.
A new look: All students will wear stylish uniforms beginning next year.
The school also has its own newsletter now, with columns and poetry by students.
The changes have been designed to create a new image for the school, and send a message to the students that they are important and not forgotten, said Superintendent Wayne Harris.
After almost a year, the changes seem to be working.
The mood of the alternative-education students is changing.
``This is more spacious. We have more classrooms. And we get to eat hot food,'' said Trina Bouseman, a senior.
At Addison Middle School, the program's previous location, the alternative-education students had to wait for their lunch until after the other students ate. Prepared food is brought to the new location, so the students don't have to wait for anyone else to eat. They also get breakfast now.
The students also have a computer laboratory and more state-of-the-art computers. All rooms and halls are carpeted.
``Since we have more space, students are less cramped and there is less acting up,'' Bouseman said. ``Now we have more incentives, and we can take trips if we come to school and do our work.''
The new school has helped improve morale, said student Fatimh Irvin. ``It's definitely better. It has helped a lot.''
Not all students believe that school officials were concerned about their welfare in moving the school to new quarters.
``It looked bad for them to have us shoved in the background" at Addison, said Kim Williamson.
Still, she likes the new school and believes it has helped improve the students' outlook.
Small things can help, too.
Now the school has a bell to signal the change of classes. There was no bell at Addison, and students sometimes would gather in doorways to see when other classes would be dismissed.
Little by little, the alternative-education students are being accepted for the school system's regular programs, said Rebecca Sears, curriculum specialist at the school. Two students were chosen to participate in the system's Student Government Day program this year.
The learning academy serves nearly 190 middle-school and high-school students who have had academic or behavioral problems, poor attendance or been suspended for long periods.
The city's drop-in academy for students who are trying to complete high-school requirements also is located there.
The alternative-education program has been upgraded since last year, when a consultant's report said it had been mismanaged, failed to comply with school policies, used unlicensed teachers and did not keep accurate records.
All unlicensed teachers have been replaced, and the school has two new top administrators.
Alternative-education schools once were a fixture in large urban districts, but they lost favor because of criticism that they were dumping grounds where students - often poor and often minorities - were warehoused.
But there has been a renewed interest in alternative-education programs because of concerns about school safety and problems caused by troubled youth. They now are viewed as places for innovative programs that can give students a second chance at success.
Taylor said the new location shows that the school system wants to upgrade the program.
``In some cities, alternative-education schools are in old warehouses or derelict office buildings. In some places, they are in trailers,'' he said. ``Here, we have a place we can be proud of.''
School Board Chairman Nelson Harris said the school was named for Taylor because he is such a good role model for youngsters and a strong supporter of education.
Taylor said some students and parents have an attachment to alternative education because they believe it has a special human touch.
``Here, the teachers give you more attention and help you. At regular schools, the teachers have so many kids they can't help you,'' Bouseman said.
Another student, Rakita Hebron, agreed. ``The teachers help you more. They did more for you here than in your home school.''
Bouseman, who came to the alternative-education school after she was suspended from William Fleming High School for fighting, will graduate next month and attend St. Augustine College in Raleigh, N.C. She wants to become a lawyer.
She could have returned to William Fleming this semester, but chose to remain at the alternative-education school. She had gotten behind in her studies at Fleming.
``When I came here, they opened my eyes. I realized that education was my priority,'' she said.
School Administrator Michael McIntosh said the alternative-education school has developed a feeling of family, with support from parents and businesses.
McIntosh, who came to the Roanoke post last year from Danville, said the school uses a holistic approach, focusing on the whole child.
When the School Board met recently at the school for the ceremony to name it for Taylor, more than a dozen students sang, danced, read poetry and performed on musical instruments.
McIntosh told the board that the students will wear uniforms next year to help prepare them for the business and work world.
The boys will wear coats and ties, and the girls will wear dresses or blouses and skirts.
``We want our children to be ready for the real world. We want them to come as if they are coming to work,'' McIntosh said. ``You can't be ready with pants down to the knees.''
by CNB