Dr. Zoe Plotnick of Buckeye Community Hope Foundation presented at the National Charter Schools Institute’s A-GAME conference, leading a thought-provoking session on how to better align accountability systems with the missions of alternative high schools.
“My conference presentation was based on the study I did for my dissertation-in-practice,” Dr. Plotnick said. “The session included some facilitated small-group discussions around how we might develop accountability systems that are aligned to the missions of alternative high schools by asking the students themselves what they defined as a “successful outcome.”
Alternative high schools and dropout prevention and recovery programs are designed to serve students whose needs are not met by traditional systems. Yet, many accountability frameworks continue to evaluate these schools using the same metrics applied to traditional schools—metrics that often fail to capture the complexity and success of these alternative environments.
Dr. Plotnick’s session challenged this one-size-fits-all approach. She introduced a bottom-up accountability model rooted in student-defined success, a sense of belonging, and pathways to workforce integration. By centering student voices and lived experiences, this framework seeks to more accurately reflect the mission and impact of alternative education.
Drawing from qualitative research and student narratives, participants explored how street-level data can reshape accountability measures to reflect the realities of alternative high schools. Through interactive discussions, scenario analysis, and small-group activities, attendees confronted the gaps in existing evaluation models and explored practical strategies for more equitable, context-sensitive oversight.
Attendees, ranging from authorizers to education leaders, left the session with actionable strategies to reshape accountability policies in ways that support, rather than penalize, schools serving the hardest-to-reach students.
