Alternative schools educate students who have previously been unsuccessful in the traditional school setting. Many alternative school students are behind on high school credits, and the schools provide options for credit recovery. Computer-assisted instruction is often used for this purpose. Using case study methodology and a critical theoretical framework, this research attempts to understand the intersection of computer-assisted credit recovery with participatory democratic education at Peak View Alternative High School (pseudonym). The study explored the nature of dialogue in the computer-assisted credit recovery classroom and its intersection with participatory democratic education. The study also examined the role that computer-assisted instruction played in the dialogue interactions. Research methods included classroom observations, semi-structured interviews with students, teachers, and administrators, and a review of relevant documents from the school and the computer-assisted program. It was found that computer-assisted credit recovery did not intersect with participatory democracy. The classroom community was fragmented, and participants remained isolated from one another. Learning was a solo endeavor, and the dialogue in the classroom served technical or procedural purposes. The school maintained a strong emphasis on completion, and computer-assisted instruction played an important role in this mission. The goal of completion overshadowed democratic education. Deficiencies of the computer-assisted curriculum were a topic of dialogue amongst the participants. However, the shortcomings of the program were often ignored, as a myth of opportunity justified the use of computer-assisted instruction. In the end, computer-assisted instruction led to unfulfilled promises. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]