Alternative Education Program Praised by Review Committee
The Sweetwater District's Bounce Back Independent Study High School (ISHS) system has received initial accreditation from the Schools Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Bounce Back provides 11th and 12th grade students who have fallen behind in school an opportunity to catch up and complete missing credits in a flexible learning environment right on their own high school campus. Teachers and counselors provide ISHS students with one-on-one guidance and a personalized educational program to help them recover credits.
"The goal of Independent Study High School is to reduce drop out rates by putting students who are struggling back on track to meet graduation requirements," said School Board President John McCann. "Earning WASC accreditation confirms that Sweetwater schools are working hard to ensure that all students receive the support they need to reach the graduation finish line."
Bounce Back WASC accreditation.pdf
In 2010-2011, more than 2,400 students were enrolled in Bounce Back. These students receive the same textbooks, the same curriculum and must meet the same academic standards as students taking classes on the comprehensive high school campus. The difference is that instruction is personalized to focus on the specific areas of student need.
Coursework is intensively focused and condensed. Bounce Back students are limited to taking two classes at a time and may earn up to two course credits every six weeks depending on their learning pace.
The WASC Committee found: "Each student receives an individual learning plan...at the time of enrollment at Bounce Back ISHS. Teacher and counselor support is available on a daily basis. Through counseling services, all students receive appropriate support along with an Individualized Learning Plan to help ensure academic success."
Although ISHS students report to an on-campus learning center, the committee found that "All Bounce Back students have access to all the resources and services on the comprehensive campus such as ASB activities, field trips, various guest speakers, language testing and Special Education testing."
Bounce Back students in good standing are also allowed to participate in main campus clubs, activities and events such as drama, band and the prom.