TLC & 21st Century
The Anderson County School System has developed a research-based system of
alternative programs that have been designed to meet the needs of individual students that
struggle academically, socially, or behaviorally in the classroom. These programs are
designed to offer structure and support to individual students that will allow them to
achieve success and become productive members in the school, workplace, and
community.
One alternative program developed by the Anderson County School System is
The Learn Center (TLC). TLC is an alternative school that takes in students that have not
been successful in the regular classroom environment and have been placed here to
address their individual needs. TLC focuses on the development of social and behavioral
skills, as well as academics. The staff members of TLC work diligently to teach to the
learning style of each individual and that is why each new student is tested to determine
their individual learning needs. The TLC program uses a vocational approach to teaching
and learning, where practical applications demonstrate understanding and competence.
Each project students complete teaches them important life-skills such as employment
skills, social skills, coping skills, and skills necessary for group interaction. One of the
primary goals of the program is to help young people establish self-worth so that they can
become actively and gainfully employed upon completion of the program.
Currently, Gary Houck serves as principal of TLC and Darren Leach is the viceprincipal. TLC has two Ridgeview employees on site each school day that conduct
consultation services and provide students with adventure base counseling. Adventure
base counseling offers students opportunities to build on their life skills through various
nature activities like rock climbing or repelling. Every classroom at TLC has a certified
teacher and a teacher assistant. Both are trained in Therapeutic Crisis Interventions
(TCI), which assists them in the strategies of implementing a system of crisis prevention
and a management system. Classroom ratio is small and never exceeds more than fifteen
students. Additionally, a clinical psychologist is on staff part-time that collaborates and
trains staff members on skills to enhance the learning and motivational needs of students.
One motivational strategy that TLC is currently using is its point system, which grants
students privileges when goals are met. Finally, TLC has a crisis team in which all
members have a background in mental health. The crisis team is there to collaborate with
staff members, as well as collecting data on individual students. TLC is a program that
continues to reshape itself each year to meet the needs of the students’ that it serves and it
has proven to be a successful program as it continues to serve students in the Anderson
County community.
Another alternative program established by the Anderson County School System
is the 21st Century Classroom, which is located at the Anderson County Career and
Technical building. The 21st Century Classroom is entering its thirteenth year of
implementation and has a 98% graduation rate. It was designed to meet the needs of
students that have a difficult time fitting into the school population or have some type of
hardship that is preventing them from learning in a regular school environment. Students
enter the classroom through a contract agreement and commit themselves to the high
standards of excellence in academic, behavior, and attendance. The classroom is indeed a
21st century classroom, because each student has their own workspace similar to an office
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and their own computer. They enjoy the opportunity to work at their own self-pace
learning style and are guided through an on-line curriculum that is demanding, structured,
and technical. There are two teachers in the classroom to monitor progress and collect
data on each student’s benchmarks. Professional behavior is mandatory and each
student’s progress is examined at the end of each semester. To enter the 21st Century
Classroom, students must have earned at least eight credit hours in high school. Once in
the program, students learn work skills, problem-solving, critical thinking, and how to set
goals. Furthermore, with the 21st Century Classroom being located at the vocational
school, students also have the luxury to take other Career Technical Education (CTE)
programs such as cosmetology or carpentry. Students that complete this program often
state that they would have dropped out of school if it was not for this program. 21st
Century Classroom has been a rewarding program for many students and it has been a
positive attribute to the Anderson County School System.
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