Alternative Schools of the 1970s: Did They Survive?

Abstract

In an article written for The Clearing House in 1974 titled, "Alternative schools: Can they survive?", Gerald Brunetti described features of schools that served as an alternative to mainstream public education. He raised the question of whether or not such schools would continue to exist in the future. A search of the literature reveals a thread that links the alternative schools of the 70s to the schools of choice that are available today, although the social context, educational policies, and funding priorities have changed since then. The issue of inequality in schools that resulted in the alternative schools movement is apparent in today's schools of choice, in particular for communities of color. The recent development of emergency online learning as a result of Covid-19 has shed light on the digital divide and unequal access to technology for culturally and linguistically diverse students and their families. If online learning is to continue as an option for flexible and innovative learning, then issues of equity must be resolved so that school choice in the 21st century is available to all families.