공립대안학교 비교연구

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the meaning of public alternative schools in the overall public education system and to draw implications for the public education system in Korea, by comparing public alternative schools in South Korea, the United States, and Japan. Methods: For this purpose, we analyzed the literature on public alternative schools in those three countries, focusing on their background, legal basis, operation status, and school practices. The analysis included public alternative schools in South Korea, public alternative schools for students at risk of education failure in the United States, and special schools for students with school refusal in Japan. Results: The results showed that public alternative schools in those three countries had the purpose of providing effective intervention for dropout students or students at risk, with a legal basis allowing relatively flexible curriculum management. Also, public alternative schools in Korea and Japan emphasized an alternative curriculum not centered on academic performance and college entrance preparations, while those schools in the United States emphasized the curriculum to improve students’ academic performance. Conclusion: The authors drew the following implications based on the findings above. First, public alternative schools play an important role as a safety net that guarantees educational opportunities for socioeconomically disadvantaged children and adolescents exposed to various risk factors. Also, alternative schools can more effectively function in close connection with the community around the schools and the entire public education and lifelong education ecosystem beyond individual schools.