The ACLU has recently filed a lawsuit against a privatly run alternative school for "problem" students in Atlanta. The ACLU charges in the lawsuit that the school is "failing so miserably that it violates their constitutional rights."

 I first came upon this story listening to Tell me More on NPR on monday. The school is an alternative school for students who've had disciplinary problems, mainly fights. After one or a few problems parents can be faced with the choice of their children being expelled, or attending the alternative school. Students could remain in the alternative school for years before being admitted back into regular public schools.

 So what is this school, which recieves millions of taxpayer dollars accused of doing, or not doing. Well every student is searched upon coming to school, including pat downs, sometimes while a student is spread eagle against a wall. Girls have their scalp rubbed to make sure there is nothing in their hair. Apparantly the metal detectors they walk through barefoot TSA style isn't enough.

 No homework is assigned because it would violate the security protocol. Students are not allowed to bring books, bookbags or anything for that matter into school. For young girls this includes femine sanitation products.

 While at school the ACLU claims that teachers spend little time instructing students. In the NPR segment it was claimed the students mainly sit around and fill out cross-word puzles.

 Sounds great, sign me up. Here is an Associated Press article about it. Here is the NPR segmant which you should really listen to if you got the time.

Here are a few of the complaints by the ACLU:

*Not a single child at the school made it to senior year in 2006;

*The school has a "no homework" policy and also prohibits students from taking supplies home - including books.

*AISS-CEP has no cafeteria, no gym and no library;

*Students are subjected to full body pat-down searches that include even the soles of their feet every day, and all students - both boys and girls - are forced to lift their shirts up to their necks in front of the search team;

*Watches, jewelry, purses, combs, brushes, keys, and money in excess of five dollars are all considered contraband and are strictly prohibited --  girls are not permitted even to bring tampons into the building;

*In 2006-2007, 91.1 percent of students failed to achieve proficiency in math and 65.8 percent failed to achieve proficiency in reading on Georgia's statewide Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests.

*Fewer than 23 percent of students at the school met or exceeded standards across all subjects, compared to two nearby alternative schools where over 50 percent of students did;

 Hopefully this lawsuit won't get thrown out so we can get a straight answer to these claims. Oh yeah, anytime anyone makes an argument for school vouchers and such things, keep this in the back of your mind.
It seems to me the only thing this publicly funded, privatly run, alternative school gets kids ready for is a stay in one of our publicly funded, privatly run prisons.

(crossposted at Daily Kos)