Trend++Group+4


 * Trend Name:** Alternative High schools


 * Basic Summary of Trend:** Alternative high schools have sprung up all across the U.S. since the 1960s. Many have died out due to parent's skepticism of them for "dumbing down" education. With the new No Child Left Behind act, there has been a resurgence among alternative school advocates.


 * Key Manifestations:** Students are not tested formally and classes are usually held through discussions. Many of the standard classes are pushed aside for more "palatable" yet educative courses such as "The Meaning of Life" or "Al Quaeda." The teachers are generally more informal than in standard secondary schools


 * Key Personnel:** Nationwide, alternative schools are not closely tracked. The biggest proponent of them may in fact be the students themselves who have a higher probability of continuing their education in college or university than those students of normal secondary schools.


 * Why/How a trend?** With new laws regulating education such as the "No child Left Behind" act, students are being tested more which is not necessarily a good thing. Students in these alternative high schools are able to learn the basic concepts of their studies as opposed to just being taught how to take an exam.