The Regional Office of Education #13, under the direction of Ron Daniels, Regional Superintendent, provides two Regional Safe School Programs in the Clinton, Jefferson, Marion and Washington County areas. The RSSP provides an alternative education option for students who are disruptive, expelled or suspended, or are eligible for suspension or expulsion from their local school district.  Daniels explains the need for these programs, despite the budgetary concerns of having them.  “Our local school districts are experiencing financial challenges along with much of the rest of the state.  Administrators and educators are also very concerned about their students’ safety.  Many of our schools can’t afford to devote the resources and staff time needed for suspension or expulsion eligible students to get back on track.  Expelling or suspending the student removes the student from the local school, but does nothing to serve that student’s educational needs and doesn’t promote community safety.”  The ROE #13 RSSP is designed to serve as an educational resource for students in crisis and a support system for their families and the community.  These students receive academic and age appropriate services, such as work-based learning, behavior modification training, life skills training, counseling, mentoring, and community service to comprehensively meet the individual needs of students.  Administrators of the program work with the student, the student’s parents, and the sending school district to develop an Individual Optional Education Plan for each student enrolled in the program.  Attendance, behavior and academic progress are closely monitored to ensure a successful outcome.  The program is proving to be very successful. The ISBE annual report indicates that out of all students enrolled in the program statewide, 49 percent were promoted to the next grade level. Nine percent graduated, and only 8.4 percent dropped out.  Students are referred from the local school districts to the Regional Safe School Program.  The facilities include the Alternative Learning Center in Mount Vernon and the Alternative Learning Academy in Centralia.  Daniels added that, “All students should have an education that prepares them to be successful, productive members of their communities.  The ROE #13 Regional Safe School Program provides that opportunity.”