Charter schools are meant to improve student learning and offer an alternative to the public school classroom. Many charter schools specialize in a certain academic area such as fine arts, math or the sciences. Although accredited and held to state testing requirements, these schools aren't subject to the same level of state and federal regulation as traditional public schools. This freedom allows administrators and teachers flexibility to adapt the curriculum to meet student needs or operate the school in a non-traditional way (for example, by having longer school hours or a longer school year). As a result, many charter schools offer students a more personalized learning environment.
For students who don't expect to graduate from high school, the General Education Development test can replace a high school diploma. In Texas, students must have less that one third of the required credits for graduation and have been in high school for two years. The GED tests mathematics, science, social studies, writing skills and interpreting literature and the arts.
Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs are for students who have broken the law or the student code of conduct. DEAPs provide a more structured and disciplined learning environment with a focus on behavioral management. DAEPs are part of the public school system; each school district has one. DAEPs focus on the core subject areas of English, math, science and social studies, but a limited number of electives are sometimes available.
Some students who have been found guilty of a crime by a juvenile court are placed in Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Programs. JJAEPs are operated by each county's juvenile board in association with the public school district. They allow students to continue their high school education despite behavioral or disciplinary setbacks. JJAEPs also allow for productive public school classrooms by removing dangerous or disruptive students. The curriculum is focused on English, math, science and social studies. Some JJAEPs also offer GED instruction and self-discipline classes.
The Texas Challenge Academy (TCA) is a voluntary, military-style residential school for high school dropouts or those at risk of dropping out. Located in Sheffield, Texas, TCA was founded by Texas A&M University at Galveston and is now operated by the Texas National Guard. Students live at the academy for five and a half months out of the year. In addition to their education, students participate in mentoring and physical fitness programs and volunteer in their communities. Once they graduate and return home, students continue to meet with a mentor for 12 months.