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2016 EDUCATION MAGAZINE
LINCOLN DAILY
NEWS.COMMarch 1, 2016 Page 27
Derek Hurley
Lincoln Daily News
There is more than one way to
graduate for students at Lincoln
Community High School. In
the last several years, three new
programs for alternative type
education have been developed.
All three of these programs are
housed on the school campus.
“We have had a great deal of
success with all three of these
programs,” said Superintendent
Robert Bagby. Bagby and
other faculty of LCHS spoke
on the effectiveness of the
programs. These programs
focus on alternative ways
to earn a diploma, recover
credits for graduation, or to
provide assistance for incoming
freshmen.
According to Principal Todd
Poelker, LCHS began looking
into alternative education
programs about five years ago.
Since then, these programs have
met with success. “We even
gave a speech a couple of years
ago at the Illinois State Board of
Education conference on them,”
said Poelker.
Before LCHS began the
alternative diploma program,
students with difficulties in
learning due to disciplinary
reasons were sent to Salt
Creek Academy. “We weren’t
getting the best results,” said
Poelker. Poelker said LCHS
wants to work with these
students directly, to see them
succeed rather than send them
away. He said the presence
of the vocational building on
the campus provided a unique
opportunity for an all-day
alternative program.
Alternative Diploma
The first program implemented
by LCHS was the alternative
diploma program. Students
in the alternative diploma
program spend most of the
day in the vocational building
across the parking lot from the
main building. The program
is overseen by teacher Chelsea
Smith.
Poelker said the program was
created after the administration
saw a need for better results
from students who learn through
methods other than sitting in
the classroom. “We needed
alternatives for different students
with different learning styles,”
he said.
The classes offered as part of
this program often fall under
vocational categories. These
courses include classes on
woodworking, metalworking,
automotive mechanics, areas
Lincoln Community High School
develops alternative education programs
for every student’s academic success
Continue
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Students of the Lincolnland Technical Education Center’s Certified
Nurses Aid program provided obstacle course assistance and
several trainings, including how to take your pulse at the recent
Children’s Wellness Expo. Photo by Jan Youngquist