An alternative program is still offered for those students who require it.

The state agreed to provide alternative programs after five months, as the court had ordered.

Several parents said the alternative program had never been given a chance to prove itself.

There are many alternative programs suitable for the average high school student.

The state also began increasing its emphasis on alternative programs.

Community service work is a major part of the alternative program, he said.

Prison costs $25,000 a person a year, while the alternative programs cost just $5,000, according to the study.

And since the city closed an alternative program for problem students a growing number return to high school from court or even jail.

Now the alternative programs have reached their capacity of 5,000 adults.

If not, the school could send the child to an alternative program during a suspension.