The mission of the Alternative Education Program is to provide a high-quality educational program in a learning environment that provides emotional, social and intellectual support to challenging learners in a supportive atmosphere. Instruction is designed to enhance the quality of life for students who are at high risk of potential exclusion from mainstream traditional educational programs.
OVERVIEW
Following the guidance of state Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth Program guidelines, following an informal hearing, students in grades 7-12 are placed in the Connections Academy. Connections Academy is currently located in Chester High School, but the program will be moving off-site as soon as possible. The AEDY program combines individualized, computer-based academic instruction with customized behavior modification counseling. Entry into the AEDY program occurs through a Planning and Placement process only when all other school district resources have been found to have a limited effect on improving students’ behaviors; or, when the severity of the student’s behavior jeopardizes the health, safety, and welfare of others.
The program features instruction from content teachers, goal-setting, and daily/weekly counseling. The underlying objective is to provide these students with the skills that are needed to make positive changes in their behaviors, attitudes, and academic progress.
The program hours of operation are from 7:15 AM to 2:30 PM, daily. Every 45 days, parents, students, teachers, pupil service personnel, administrators, and others with knowledge of the student will conduct a Formal Periodic Review to determine future academic placement. It is the objective of the AEDY Program to assist students in managing behavioral difficulties and making a successful transition back to their home schools.
Chester Uplands’s mission is to recognize through its instructional program the unique qualities of all learners and integrate problem-solving strategies as a tool to empower students to develop their potential for the workforce and or careers as well as lifelong learning opportunities.
Please note that students cannot participate in or attend CUSD-sponsored events and extracurricular activities not limited to but including athletics, music programs, etc. while enrolled in the Connection AEDY Program.
Compliant Process:
Individuals having complaints and concerns regarding AEDY are required to seek resolution via the relevant School District rather than elevating concerns to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) in the first instance. The filing of a complaint via the AEDY Complaint Process does not limit any other rights or remedies under federal and state law. This means, for example, that a parent may still file a separate due process complaint concerning his or her child’s Individualized Education Program (“IEP”) as provided pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”).
School districts will ensure that parents and students who are limited in (or have no) English proficiency (known as Limited English Proficiency or “LEP”) are provided translation and interpretation services to participate in the AEDY Complaint Process. If you need translation and interpretation services to access this document or the AEDY Complaint Process, please contact Dr. Dontae Wilson.
Filing an AEDY Complaint with the School District
Any individual or organization may submit a written complaint using the attached AEDY Complaint Form. The form must be completed and sent to the relevant School District.
The complaint must include:
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the facts on which the statement is based;
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all relevant documents and supporting information;
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a proposed resolution to the problem to the extent known and available to the complainant at the time the complaint is filed; and
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the contact information for the complainant.
All relevant documents must be forwarded to the Chester Upland School District, at 1350 Edgmont Avenue, 2nd Floor, Chester, PA 19013, or emailed to dwilson@chesteruplandsd.org.
Failure to provide all of the information in the AEDY Complaint Form will not result in the complaint being dismissed. LEAs will work with complainants to ensure that the requested information is as complete as possible.
English Version: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N_MfcusD0tL5a6k_MNkJiLm6bQ6CC6zL3exZ5FIiaYs/edit?usp=sharing
Spanish Version: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G-7kKjT8ubjnqxgjaD3x9xo3XiGdTcxrp1fWi5vb8mg/edit?usp=sharing
