Alternative Education and It's Benefits

Our youth is faced with many life altering choices everyday. One of those choices is whether to complete high school and to further their education. In the year's past there have been so many high school dropouts. For some of those who made that choice it was for the simple fact that it was expected. By this I am speaking of the family influence. For example, not so many years ago if you were the son of a farmer it was expected that you to would be a farmer. Those children did not see the need in completeing high school to end up working on the family farm. Many of those who made those types of choices now make up a large part of the non-traditional students who are now attending college classes. According to the Kentucky Department of Education 18,000 students did not graduate in 2004. Our educational systems have tried a variety of remedies for this dreadful problem. One of the most effective cures has been alternative education, which is non-traditional education. Although it does not effectively help everyone it does make a major difference. Many schools have implemented hands-on training for the young adults who are at risk for dropping out and do not wish to attend a traditional college. College is not for everyone and it is wonderful that there are other routes that may be taken to obtain an education. Some of those routes include technical and vocational training. There are also careers that offer hands-on, on the job training.
A technical college is a post-secondary vocational school that trains students in a variety of skills, especially in the manual trades, health care, and computer technology. There are a variety of these schools in Kentucky. Maysville Community and Technical College is one of those. They offer campuses in Maysville, Morehead, Cynthiana and also one at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex.
For many the excuse not to extend their education is financial issues. There are a variety of ways to obtain money for educational expenses. There are grants, financial aid, scholarships, and loans. Information on these may be obtained through a local college with the financial aid advisor or with the high school counselor.
I have spoken with a non-traditional student who dropped out of high school due to a teenage pregnancy. She recently recieved her GED through the Montgomery County Adult Learning Center and is now on her way to completing a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. She states that "as a high school student traditional college was pushed and technical or vocational schools were rarely spoken of."
There are a variety of Technical school in Kentucky. One of the best oppurtunities for a dropout or someone who does not wish to attend college is the Frenchburg Job Corps. This facility offers residential housing for young adults 16-24 years of age who meet certain income requirements. It offers high school diploma or GED classes and a variety of classes such as painting and brick laying. These are jobs that do not require a four-year degree. There are many other careers that one can choose that does not require a degree. These are just a few of the options.