Reading, Writing, and Having Babies: A Nurturing Alternative School Program

Abstract

This ethnographic study, a component of another study that examined the lived experiences of a small group of pregnant teenagers, focused on the social and learning environment of an alternative school program for pregnant and parenting female adolescents, aged 13 to 19. Field notes, participant observation, group discussion, and informal conversational data were gathered over a 16-week period. Analysis of the data revealed four major themes: nurture and positive regard, sisterhood and belonging, mentoring and sense of family, and proactive learning environment and academic pride. The girls who attended the program developed close relationships with their peers and teachers. Many of them experienced academic success for the first time and reported that pregnancy and impending motherhood motivated them to do better in school. Recommendations for a more comprehensive school-based approach to meeting the needs of pregnant and parenting teens are made, particularly after the babies are born.

Health behaviors and mental health of students attending alternative high schools: A review of the research literature

“…As compared with more traditional school settings, the alternative high school setting remains an underutilized setting for research, particularly nursing research. Fewer than 25% of health‐related articles presenting studies conducted in the alternative high school setting included nurses as first authors or coauthors (Denny et al., 2003, 2004; Fulkerson et al., 2009; Johnson et al., 2011; Kubik et al., 2004, 2005, 2009; Sirard et al., 2008; Spear, 2001, 2002, 2004; Thomas & Looney, 2004; Weller et al., 1999). Staff and administrators of alternative high schools have expressed support for intervention studies that promote healthy behaviors among alternative high school students (Kubik et al., 2004).…”

117. Studying the Playbook: Mediating Variables in Relationships Between Sports Team Participation and Health-Risk Behaviors Among Alternative High School Students

“…As compared to more traditional school settings, the alternative high school setting remains an underutilized setting for research, particularly nursing research. Fewer than 25% of health-related articles presenting studies conducted in the alternative high school setting included nurses as first authors or coauthors Kubik et al, 2005;Kubik et al, 2009;Sirard et al, 2008;Spear, 2001Spear, , 2002Spear, , 2004Weller et al, 1999). Staff and administrators of alternative high schools have expressed support for intervention studies that promote healthy behaviors among alternative high school students .…”

“…Teenage pregnancy: "Having a baby won't affect me that much." PediatricNursing, 27(6), 574-580 Spear, H. J. (2002)…”