Education
Denzel Washington on Dropouts: 'Most Dangerous Time' for Kids Right After School
PBS – September 21, 2011
In the first installment of an 18-month series on the nation's high school dropout rate, Gwen Ifill sits down with Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington to discuss his work as national spokesman for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and making a difference in the lives of at-risk youth.
Alternative Opportunities gives high school drop outs a second chance
KY3, Springfield, MO – September 22, 2011
The lost earnings for the 2010 Missouri high school dropouts totals nearly $5.2 billion dollars. One organization in the Ozarks is trying to reverse that trend by helping kids get back on track.
Rising freshmen complete Communities In Schools graduation camp
Salisbury Post, Rowan County, NC – September 22, 2011
Thirty rising North Rowan High School freshmen completed a 12-day camp, the culmination of the Communities In Schools (CIS) of Rowan County’s Mission Possible: Graduation,” funded by the North Carolina Department of Education and Drop Out Prevention, this summer.
Juvenile Justice
New York Judge Seeks New System for Juveniles
The New York Times, New York – September 20, 2011
New York State has long dealt with 16- and 17-year-old defendants more severely than almost every other state, trying all of them as adults in criminal courts. Now, New York’s chief judge is calling for a less punitive approach that would focus on finding ways to rehabilitate them.
Juvenile grant aimed at rehabilitation
The News-Messenger, Sandusky County, OH – September 24, 2011
Counties across Ohio have limited funding for juvenile rehabilitation programs, though court statistics suggest just locking kids up does little to change their behavior. In Sandusky County, at least, a recently-received federal grant is aimed at addressing that problem.
Juvenile Probation Program Shows Results
WIFR, Winnebago County, IL – September 21, 2011
Five thousand Winnebago County residents are on probation and nearly a fifth of them are kids. However, an old juvenile probation initiative is making new progress.
Foster Care
CASA volunteers work to find support for youth aging out of welfare system
Midland Reporter-Telegram – September 11, 2011
A recent report issued by the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute in New York found a growing number of children in foster care are aging out of the system without any connections to adults, resulting in a disproportionate number of young men and women becoming parents or ending up homeless or in jail. CASA volunteers are committed to helping children find permanent, safe homes as quickly as possible.
State House to Vote on Bill to Extend Foster Care
Public News Service, Lansing, MI – September 20, 2011
Most young adults in Michigan who turn 18 still have a support system to fall back on, even if they are away at college or living on their own. But for those in foster care, 18 is when they "age out" of the system and no longer qualify for supportive services. That could change under a package of bills before a legislative committee today which would extend foster-care services to age 21.
Forum encourages adoptions of older children
Houston Chronicle, Texas – September 24, 2011
Just five months removed from foster care, 18-year-old Andre Crumedy is already beating the odds. The Texas A&M student is among the 10 percent of foster children to enroll in postsecondary school.
Teen Pregnancy
More Texas Schools Teach Safe Sex With Abstinence
Texas Tribune, Midland, TX – September 19, 2011
In the spring, public school students in Midland will cross what until very recently was the political third rail of sex education. For the first time, they will be taught about contraception — and how to practice safe sex.
Group aims to guide teen girls to success, prevent pregnancy
Vindy.com, Youngstown, OH – September 19, 2011
The Sisters of Serenity nonprofit mentoring group is looking for a few good girls — or at least those striving to be better. Neoma McDowell, founder of the program for teenage girls, plans an orientation for girls between ages 11 and 16 who want to get involved with the mentoring program. According to McDowell, the group seeks to establish and reinforce good qualities in teenage girls.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
This Week's News: Youth in Transition
Education
Magic Johnson's new venture: helping LA high school dropouts
ABC7, Los Angeles, CA – September 12, 2011
Magic Johnson is teaming up with EdisonLearning to help improve high school dropout rates of African-American and Latino students in Los Angeles County.
Blacks in Berkeley Are Beating National High School Graduation Rate
The Atlanta Post, Berkeley, CA – September 16, 2011
California educators have found that African-American students are graduating from high school in the city of Berkeley at a much higher rate than the national average.
Dropouts Face a Future with More Jobs But Less Options, Study Finds
Youth Today – September 16, 2011
The number of jobs available to dropouts and high school graduates will go up this decade, but there also will be far more jobs for which they are not eligible, according to a study on the future of jobs in the Midwest states.
Juvenile Justice
Three Strategies for Changing Juvenile Justice
Juvenile Justice Information Exchange – September 12, 2011
A recent report from the National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN), titled, “Bringing Youth Home: A National Movement to Increase Public Safety, Rehabilitate Youth and Save Money,” documented the extraordinary number of states and jurisdictions (at least 24) that are closing or downsizing their youth correctional facilities, due to budget cuts, legislation, lawsuits, and pressure from reformers. (Download the report for tips on ways to downsize wisely.) This is a good thing, because it means taxpayers can save money or avoid the high cost of incarceration, and reallocate those monies to community-based programs that are more effective at helping young people turn their lives around.
Program to help Hawaii youth in justice system
Houston Chronicle, Honolulu, HI – September 14, 2011
A new program has been launched to help youth in the juvenile justice system. Nonprofit Hale Kipa, which works with at-risk youth and their families, said Tuesday it's the first program of its kind in Hawaii.
Foster Care
Separated in Foster Care, Siblings Reunite in Camp
The New York Times, Kattskill Bay, NY – September 16, 2011
The crisp morning swims in Lake George were quite a change of pace for Shakeema, an 8-year-old from Far Rockaway, Queens. But so was spending five days straight with her sisters, Kendra, 10, and Marquia, 7, who live in the Bronx.
Aiding Young People in Foster Care
The Wall Street Journal, New York, NY – September 19, 2011
To Chris Del Gatto, the mark of a good charity is its efficiency. The 41-year-old chairman and chief executive of Circa, a reseller of high-end jewelry, has contributed $50,000 to New Yorkers for Children to support its annual fall gala. The gala, to be held Tuesday night at Cipriani 42, is among the glitziest events of the black-tie season. New Yorkers for Children works closely with the New York City Administration for Children's Services to support the roughly 15,000 young people in foster care by providing college scholarships, networking opportunities, tutoring programs and job training.
Teen Pregnancy
Agencies plan edgy campaign for youth sexual education
Reporter Herald, Larimer County, CO – September 15, 2011
Are you "doing IT?" The IT is not what you think. The "doing IT? Think Ahead. Plan Now." campaign is an effort to get sexual health information out to Larimer County teens and young adults by raising the question of "doing what? It's kind of edgy. It's out there," said Kim Sharpe, coordinator of the Healthier Communities Coalition of Larimer County in Fort Collins. Since April 2009, nearly 30 agencies who serve teens in Larimer County have been meeting to cooperatively address the issue of teen pregnancy. Their goal is to educate youths about the importance of reproductive life planning.
D.C. schools prepare for nation’s first sex-education standardized testing
The Washington Post, Washington, D.C. – September 14, 2011
D.C. public and public charter schools, which annually test student progress in reading and math, will also measure what they know about human sexuality, contraception and drug use starting this spring. The 50-question exam will be the nation’s first statewide standardized test on health and sex education, according to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, which developed the assessment for grades 5, 8 and 10.
Magic Johnson's new venture: helping LA high school dropouts
ABC7, Los Angeles, CA – September 12, 2011
Magic Johnson is teaming up with EdisonLearning to help improve high school dropout rates of African-American and Latino students in Los Angeles County.
Blacks in Berkeley Are Beating National High School Graduation Rate
The Atlanta Post, Berkeley, CA – September 16, 2011
California educators have found that African-American students are graduating from high school in the city of Berkeley at a much higher rate than the national average.
Dropouts Face a Future with More Jobs But Less Options, Study Finds
Youth Today – September 16, 2011
The number of jobs available to dropouts and high school graduates will go up this decade, but there also will be far more jobs for which they are not eligible, according to a study on the future of jobs in the Midwest states.
Juvenile Justice
Three Strategies for Changing Juvenile Justice
Juvenile Justice Information Exchange – September 12, 2011
A recent report from the National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN), titled, “Bringing Youth Home: A National Movement to Increase Public Safety, Rehabilitate Youth and Save Money,” documented the extraordinary number of states and jurisdictions (at least 24) that are closing or downsizing their youth correctional facilities, due to budget cuts, legislation, lawsuits, and pressure from reformers. (Download the report for tips on ways to downsize wisely.) This is a good thing, because it means taxpayers can save money or avoid the high cost of incarceration, and reallocate those monies to community-based programs that are more effective at helping young people turn their lives around.
Program to help Hawaii youth in justice system
Houston Chronicle, Honolulu, HI – September 14, 2011
A new program has been launched to help youth in the juvenile justice system. Nonprofit Hale Kipa, which works with at-risk youth and their families, said Tuesday it's the first program of its kind in Hawaii.
Foster Care
Separated in Foster Care, Siblings Reunite in Camp
The New York Times, Kattskill Bay, NY – September 16, 2011
The crisp morning swims in Lake George were quite a change of pace for Shakeema, an 8-year-old from Far Rockaway, Queens. But so was spending five days straight with her sisters, Kendra, 10, and Marquia, 7, who live in the Bronx.
Aiding Young People in Foster Care
The Wall Street Journal, New York, NY – September 19, 2011
To Chris Del Gatto, the mark of a good charity is its efficiency. The 41-year-old chairman and chief executive of Circa, a reseller of high-end jewelry, has contributed $50,000 to New Yorkers for Children to support its annual fall gala. The gala, to be held Tuesday night at Cipriani 42, is among the glitziest events of the black-tie season. New Yorkers for Children works closely with the New York City Administration for Children's Services to support the roughly 15,000 young people in foster care by providing college scholarships, networking opportunities, tutoring programs and job training.
Teen Pregnancy
Agencies plan edgy campaign for youth sexual education
Reporter Herald, Larimer County, CO – September 15, 2011
Are you "doing IT?" The IT is not what you think. The "doing IT? Think Ahead. Plan Now." campaign is an effort to get sexual health information out to Larimer County teens and young adults by raising the question of "doing what? It's kind of edgy. It's out there," said Kim Sharpe, coordinator of the Healthier Communities Coalition of Larimer County in Fort Collins. Since April 2009, nearly 30 agencies who serve teens in Larimer County have been meeting to cooperatively address the issue of teen pregnancy. Their goal is to educate youths about the importance of reproductive life planning.
D.C. schools prepare for nation’s first sex-education standardized testing
The Washington Post, Washington, D.C. – September 14, 2011
D.C. public and public charter schools, which annually test student progress in reading and math, will also measure what they know about human sexuality, contraception and drug use starting this spring. The 50-question exam will be the nation’s first statewide standardized test on health and sex education, according to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, which developed the assessment for grades 5, 8 and 10.
Monday, September 12, 2011
This Week's News: Youth in Transition
Education
Project Rise offers second chance for high school dropouts
The Kansas City Star, Kansas City, MO – September 6, 2011
Times are tough for unemployed young people, but Kansas City leaders announced a program Tuesday that should provide a second chance for some lucky high school dropouts. “This is the way up and out,” Mayor Sly James said at a news conference to announce Project Rise. “The best social program we can offer is a job.”
Grant will help keep students in school
Statesman Journal, Salem-Keizer, OR – September 5, 2011
Salem-Keizer has the second-lowest graduation rate of the large districts in the state. Officials hope that a $10.7 million federal grant will turn those numbers around during the next four years. The grant is one of 29 High School Graduation Initiative awards given to districts throughout the country to boost persistently low-performing schools.
‘Walk for Success’
The Times and Democrat, Orangeburg, SC – September 6, 2011
Orangeburg's three school districts took a "walk for success" Saturday, Aug. 27, to contact dropouts and get them back into school, but Edisto High had reached a 100-percent success rate before the day began.
Juvenile Justice
Test sets youths’ fitness for trial
The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio – September 6, 2011
Judging whether a child can stand trial for a crime should become easier next month, as Ohio enacts its first competency standards for juveniles. No longer will clinicians struggle to apply adult standards to defendants younger than 18. Advocates hope that having statewide standards will make it easier on the courts, too.
Study Looks at Strategies for Juvenile Justice Reform
Juvenile Justice Information Exchange – September 6, 2011
Much of the nation has seen a drop in the incarceration rates for juvenile offenders, in part because of tight state budgets and falling crime rates. That a trend has been established is not in question, say advocates. What remains to be seen, however, is whether this will be short lived or will prove to be a permanent shift in juvenile justice policy.
Foster Care
REACH to Invest in the Lives of America's Foster Youth
Huffington Post – September 8, 2011
Kim was a foster child and later adopted. Her personal experience in foster care fuels her motivation to help and support others, which is why she founded REACH -- Realizing Every Action Creates Hope. Too often, foster youth find themselves lost and unaware of what it takes to really become an "adult" at 18. This is even the case for non-foster children.
Teen Pregnancy
Study: Teen births cost Miss. $154.9M in '09
Houston Chronicle, Jackson, MS – September 8, 2011
Groups pushing for comprehensive sex education classes in Mississippi schools say there's a good economic reason for what they're doing. A new analysis shows births to teen or preteen mothers cost the state $154.9 million in 2009.
Hewlett Foundation provides support to the city's disadvantaged youth
The Western Edition, San Francisco, CA – September 8, 2011
Through a program called “Serving Bay Area Communities,” the Hewlett Foundation based in Menlo Park has established itself as one of the major supporters of social services in the Bay Area. The Third Street Youth Center and Clinic is housed in a former liquor store. Where booze once flowed out the doors, now 1,000 young people yearly between the ages of 12 and 24 have received medical care, sexual education, health education and more.
New curriculum focuses on more than sex
NWI.com, Valparaiso, IN – September 5, 2011
On Monday night, members of A Positive Approach to Teen Health, or PATH, trained to teach the program Planned Potential to Northwest Indiana middle school students. The Planned Potential program was written by members of PATH with the help of a federal grant. While the grant is related to sex education and the Planned Potential program talks about relationships, it also discusses the importance of life choices, the legacy you want to leave behind and how every person has value.
Project Rise offers second chance for high school dropouts
The Kansas City Star, Kansas City, MO – September 6, 2011
Times are tough for unemployed young people, but Kansas City leaders announced a program Tuesday that should provide a second chance for some lucky high school dropouts. “This is the way up and out,” Mayor Sly James said at a news conference to announce Project Rise. “The best social program we can offer is a job.”
Grant will help keep students in school
Statesman Journal, Salem-Keizer, OR – September 5, 2011
Salem-Keizer has the second-lowest graduation rate of the large districts in the state. Officials hope that a $10.7 million federal grant will turn those numbers around during the next four years. The grant is one of 29 High School Graduation Initiative awards given to districts throughout the country to boost persistently low-performing schools.
‘Walk for Success’
The Times and Democrat, Orangeburg, SC – September 6, 2011
Orangeburg's three school districts took a "walk for success" Saturday, Aug. 27, to contact dropouts and get them back into school, but Edisto High had reached a 100-percent success rate before the day began.
Juvenile Justice
Test sets youths’ fitness for trial
The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio – September 6, 2011
Judging whether a child can stand trial for a crime should become easier next month, as Ohio enacts its first competency standards for juveniles. No longer will clinicians struggle to apply adult standards to defendants younger than 18. Advocates hope that having statewide standards will make it easier on the courts, too.
Study Looks at Strategies for Juvenile Justice Reform
Juvenile Justice Information Exchange – September 6, 2011
Much of the nation has seen a drop in the incarceration rates for juvenile offenders, in part because of tight state budgets and falling crime rates. That a trend has been established is not in question, say advocates. What remains to be seen, however, is whether this will be short lived or will prove to be a permanent shift in juvenile justice policy.
Foster Care
REACH to Invest in the Lives of America's Foster Youth
Huffington Post – September 8, 2011
Kim was a foster child and later adopted. Her personal experience in foster care fuels her motivation to help and support others, which is why she founded REACH -- Realizing Every Action Creates Hope. Too often, foster youth find themselves lost and unaware of what it takes to really become an "adult" at 18. This is even the case for non-foster children.
Teen Pregnancy
Study: Teen births cost Miss. $154.9M in '09
Houston Chronicle, Jackson, MS – September 8, 2011
Groups pushing for comprehensive sex education classes in Mississippi schools say there's a good economic reason for what they're doing. A new analysis shows births to teen or preteen mothers cost the state $154.9 million in 2009.
Hewlett Foundation provides support to the city's disadvantaged youth
The Western Edition, San Francisco, CA – September 8, 2011
Through a program called “Serving Bay Area Communities,” the Hewlett Foundation based in Menlo Park has established itself as one of the major supporters of social services in the Bay Area. The Third Street Youth Center and Clinic is housed in a former liquor store. Where booze once flowed out the doors, now 1,000 young people yearly between the ages of 12 and 24 have received medical care, sexual education, health education and more.
New curriculum focuses on more than sex
NWI.com, Valparaiso, IN – September 5, 2011
On Monday night, members of A Positive Approach to Teen Health, or PATH, trained to teach the program Planned Potential to Northwest Indiana middle school students. The Planned Potential program was written by members of PATH with the help of a federal grant. While the grant is related to sex education and the Planned Potential program talks about relationships, it also discusses the importance of life choices, the legacy you want to leave behind and how every person has value.
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
This Week's News: Youth in Transition
Education
Grand Rapids trying to get high school dropouts back in the classroom
Michigan Radio, Grand Rapids, MI – August 30, 2011
A new program launching this fall in Grand Rapids will try to help high school dropouts earn both their high school diplomas and some college credit. The program is a joint effort of Grand Rapids Public Schools and Grand Rapids Community College.
Yakima Valley schools are building a graduation foundation
Yakima Herald-Republic, Yakima, WA – September 3, 2011
With an increased dedication to personal classroom attention, as well as help from some huge federal grants, the Valley's challenged schools are working to keep their students in class and on track toward graduation.
Norman schools tapped for national pilot program
Houston Chronical, Norman, OK – August 30, 2011
Norman Public Schools is one of four school districts across the country selected for a national pilot program that focuses on digital learning.
Juvenile Justice
New program orders young female offenders to the gym
KENS5, San Antonio, TX – September 1, 2011
A new court diversion program requires young offenders to go to the gym. It’s an innovative new partnership between the district attorney’s office and the YMCA. The idea is to keep young girls from becoming repeat offenders.
Foster Care
Out of Foster Care -- and Into What?
Gotham Gazette, New York City, NY – August 2011
When Chimore Mack Glover recently turned 21, she aged out of the New York City foster child program and so needed a place to live. "I usually plan things ahead of time, and my first step was to get a job and find a place to live," she recalled recently. She tried to stay with family members, but one turned her down, Her grandmother was sick and so could not help.
Online program helps with foster kids' education
San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco, CA – September 4, 2011
The onset of the new school year in San Francisco comes with a new and relatively affordable attempt to help improve education for children entangled in the state's troubled foster care system. The San Francisco Unified School District is the latest in California to participate in Foster Focus, a Web-based service that allows school officials and social workers to track and share crucial records that often fail to follow foster children as they transfer to new schools.
Race a Major Factor in Foster Care Disparities
Los Angeles Sentinel, Los Angeles, CA - August 29, 2011
In Los Angeles and across the nation, there are clear disparities in foster care and Black children are faring far worse than their white counterparts. For Los Angeles Congresswoman Karen Bass, foster care reform has long care a top priority. She has repeatedly introduced legislation to increase foster care funding and the quality of services.
Teen Pregnancy
Parenthood Makes Finishing School Difficult For Hispanic Teens
EGPNews.com – September 1, 2011
While some people might think Hispanic parents are passive about their children’s education, the reality is that like most parents, Hispanics want the best for their children. In fact, a 2010 report in Social Science Quarterly shows that Hispanic parents hold higher education and economic achievement for their children as a higher priority than their non-Hispanic U.S. counterparts. The high rate of teen pregnancy among Hispanic girls, however, is making it tough for many of them to realize their parents’ dreams: or their own dreams for that matter.
Advocates: Proper Sex Education = Fewer Teens Having Sex
Public News Service, St. Paul, MN – August 31, 2011
Giving students the basic details will not make them more likely to engage in sexual activity, supporters of sex education in Minnesota say. In fact, the opposite is true, according to Brigid Riley, executive director of Teenwise Minnesota.
Grand Rapids trying to get high school dropouts back in the classroom
Michigan Radio, Grand Rapids, MI – August 30, 2011
A new program launching this fall in Grand Rapids will try to help high school dropouts earn both their high school diplomas and some college credit. The program is a joint effort of Grand Rapids Public Schools and Grand Rapids Community College.
Yakima Valley schools are building a graduation foundation
Yakima Herald-Republic, Yakima, WA – September 3, 2011
With an increased dedication to personal classroom attention, as well as help from some huge federal grants, the Valley's challenged schools are working to keep their students in class and on track toward graduation.
Norman schools tapped for national pilot program
Houston Chronical, Norman, OK – August 30, 2011
Norman Public Schools is one of four school districts across the country selected for a national pilot program that focuses on digital learning.
Juvenile Justice
New program orders young female offenders to the gym
KENS5, San Antonio, TX – September 1, 2011
A new court diversion program requires young offenders to go to the gym. It’s an innovative new partnership between the district attorney’s office and the YMCA. The idea is to keep young girls from becoming repeat offenders.
Foster Care
Out of Foster Care -- and Into What?
Gotham Gazette, New York City, NY – August 2011
When Chimore Mack Glover recently turned 21, she aged out of the New York City foster child program and so needed a place to live. "I usually plan things ahead of time, and my first step was to get a job and find a place to live," she recalled recently. She tried to stay with family members, but one turned her down, Her grandmother was sick and so could not help.
Online program helps with foster kids' education
San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco, CA – September 4, 2011
The onset of the new school year in San Francisco comes with a new and relatively affordable attempt to help improve education for children entangled in the state's troubled foster care system. The San Francisco Unified School District is the latest in California to participate in Foster Focus, a Web-based service that allows school officials and social workers to track and share crucial records that often fail to follow foster children as they transfer to new schools.
Race a Major Factor in Foster Care Disparities
Los Angeles Sentinel, Los Angeles, CA - August 29, 2011
In Los Angeles and across the nation, there are clear disparities in foster care and Black children are faring far worse than their white counterparts. For Los Angeles Congresswoman Karen Bass, foster care reform has long care a top priority. She has repeatedly introduced legislation to increase foster care funding and the quality of services.
Teen Pregnancy
Parenthood Makes Finishing School Difficult For Hispanic Teens
EGPNews.com – September 1, 2011
While some people might think Hispanic parents are passive about their children’s education, the reality is that like most parents, Hispanics want the best for their children. In fact, a 2010 report in Social Science Quarterly shows that Hispanic parents hold higher education and economic achievement for their children as a higher priority than their non-Hispanic U.S. counterparts. The high rate of teen pregnancy among Hispanic girls, however, is making it tough for many of them to realize their parents’ dreams: or their own dreams for that matter.
Advocates: Proper Sex Education = Fewer Teens Having Sex
Public News Service, St. Paul, MN – August 31, 2011
Giving students the basic details will not make them more likely to engage in sexual activity, supporters of sex education in Minnesota say. In fact, the opposite is true, according to Brigid Riley, executive director of Teenwise Minnesota.
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