Education
Beshear signs long-awaited bill to keep Kentucky students in school until age 18
KYForward.com, Kentucky – March 19, 2013
Kentucky can now require students to stay in school until they turn 18. Gov. Steve Beshear signed a bill raising the high school dropout age Monday, calling it “one of my most satisfying acts as governor.”
A sensible plan to tackle dropout rates
The Bakersfield Californian, California – March 23, 2013
Conceptually, a bill intended to curb high school dropout rates being promoted by state Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg makes sense. Pulling off the task of keeping kids in school is a multifaceted problem, but Steinberg's bill looks like a valuable tool.
Alternative ed program would improve graduation rate
The Franklin News-Post, Franklin County, VA – March 18, 2013
Franklin County High School's B rating from the Virginia Department of Education (DOE) demonstrates the need for an alternative education center for "at-risk" students, according to school officials. According to the current DOE grading system, 15 county schools received an A rating, said Dr. Mark Church, school superintendent. "Franklin County High School received a B rating, due to the declining graduation rate in the county."
Juvenile Justice
Lawmakers near major overhaul of juvenile court process
Lincoln Journal Star, Nebraska – March 21, 2013
State lawmakers gave initial approval Thursday to a piece of the proposed overhaul of Nebraska's juvenile justice system. Senators voted 39-0 to give first-round approval to a bill (LB464) that would require criminal charges against anyone younger than 18 to be filed in juvenile court.
Senate approves juvenile justice reforms
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia – March 21, 2013
The Georgia Senate Thursday signed off on a sweeping rewrite of the laws that govern how the state treats juveniles who run afoul of the law, another milestone in the state’s two-year effort to reserve expensive prison bed space in both the adult and juvenile systems for the most violent offenders.
Foster Care
Ground broken in East Austin for new housing for homeless youth
Your News Now, East Austin, TX – March 21, 2013
An affordable place for homeless and foster care youth is under construction in East Austin, thanks to a local nonprofit. The organization behind the project, LifeWorks, broke ground Wednesday on the apartment complex located along Pleasant Valley Road.
Teen Pregnancy
Expecting teens gain advice at pregnancy conference
KETV ABC, Council Bluffs, IA – March 21, 2013
Teen parents-to-be attended the Council Bluffs Teen Pregnancy Task Force event Thursday at the Iowa Western Community College, learning how to care for themselves and their babies.
Support, hard work help teen parents beat odds
Sentinel and Enterprise, Fitchburg, WI – March 24, 2013
Up until late spring of 2011, life for Fitchburg High School couple Kristene Haywood and Eli Jackson had been much like any other students their age, filled with school, sports and friends. Then Haywood and Jackson, who have been together since they were in the seventh grade, learned Haywood was pregnant.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
This Week's News: Youth in Transition
Education
Kentucky to raise school dropout age to 18
UPI.com, Kentucky – March 12, 2013
A bill to raise Kentucky's legal school dropout age from 16 to 18 was sent to Gov. Steve Beshear, who said he will sign it. The bill passed the Senate by 34-5 Monday after passing in the House by 88-10.
BOE studies the warnings signs of dropout students
The Pocahontas Times, West Virginia - March 14, 2013
The Pocahontas County board of education heard from dropout preventionist and attendance director Susan Borror at its meeting Monday night. Borror outlined the top 10 reasons students drop out of school.
Juvenile Justice
Addressing girls' health needs at juvenile detention centers
Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles County, CA – March 16, 2013
Latrice lifts the sleeve of her gray sweatshirt to reveal small, dark lines — scars from slicing her forearm over and over to drown out pain from years of sexual abuse. She says she was an alcoholic, dropped out of school in the eighth grade and got pregnant at 16. Research shows that many of these girls’ problems could be addressed if officials simply asked the right questions.
Bill aims to reduce number of youths at YRTCs
KearnyHub.com, Lincoln, NE – March 13, 2013
Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers in Kearney and Geneva may eventually consolidate, but will escape immediate closure under the latest plan for revamping Nebraska’s juvenile justice system. Members of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee agreed Tuesday to prioritize a bill with a yet-to-be-finalized amendment intended to sharply reduce the number of juvenile offenders sent to the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers. LB561 will try to encourage greater use of community treatment as a better alternative to locked detention.
Foster Care
Park West Foundation helps youth transition out of foster care
Michigan Chronicle, Michigan – March 15, 2013
Since 2006, the nonprofit Park West Foundation has helped more than 350 young women and men in the foster care system transition into the “real world.”
Teen Pregnancy
Berkshire United Way launches effort to reduce teen pregnancy
The Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, MA – March 15, 2013
The president and CEO of the Berkshire United Way has outlined a plan to decrease the county's high teenage pregnancy rate at least 10 percent by 2016. Thursday morning before a crowd of Berkshire County stakeholders, Kristine Hazzard said the plan will educate parents, raise awareness about the high rate of teenage pregnancy, and use resources to leverage cooperation.
Kentucky to raise school dropout age to 18
UPI.com, Kentucky – March 12, 2013
A bill to raise Kentucky's legal school dropout age from 16 to 18 was sent to Gov. Steve Beshear, who said he will sign it. The bill passed the Senate by 34-5 Monday after passing in the House by 88-10.
BOE studies the warnings signs of dropout students
The Pocahontas Times, West Virginia - March 14, 2013
The Pocahontas County board of education heard from dropout preventionist and attendance director Susan Borror at its meeting Monday night. Borror outlined the top 10 reasons students drop out of school.
Juvenile Justice
Addressing girls' health needs at juvenile detention centers
Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles County, CA – March 16, 2013
Latrice lifts the sleeve of her gray sweatshirt to reveal small, dark lines — scars from slicing her forearm over and over to drown out pain from years of sexual abuse. She says she was an alcoholic, dropped out of school in the eighth grade and got pregnant at 16. Research shows that many of these girls’ problems could be addressed if officials simply asked the right questions.
Bill aims to reduce number of youths at YRTCs
KearnyHub.com, Lincoln, NE – March 13, 2013
Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers in Kearney and Geneva may eventually consolidate, but will escape immediate closure under the latest plan for revamping Nebraska’s juvenile justice system. Members of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee agreed Tuesday to prioritize a bill with a yet-to-be-finalized amendment intended to sharply reduce the number of juvenile offenders sent to the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers. LB561 will try to encourage greater use of community treatment as a better alternative to locked detention.
Foster Care
Park West Foundation helps youth transition out of foster care
Michigan Chronicle, Michigan – March 15, 2013
Since 2006, the nonprofit Park West Foundation has helped more than 350 young women and men in the foster care system transition into the “real world.”
Teen Pregnancy
Berkshire United Way launches effort to reduce teen pregnancy
The Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, MA – March 15, 2013
The president and CEO of the Berkshire United Way has outlined a plan to decrease the county's high teenage pregnancy rate at least 10 percent by 2016. Thursday morning before a crowd of Berkshire County stakeholders, Kristine Hazzard said the plan will educate parents, raise awareness about the high rate of teenage pregnancy, and use resources to leverage cooperation.
Monday, March 11, 2013
This Week's News: Youth in Transition
Education
Compromise reached on raising Kentucky's high school dropout age
Lexington Herald-Leader, Frankfort, Kentucky – March 8, 2013
After more than three years of unsuccessful attempts to raise Kentucky's high school dropout age from 16 to 18, House and Senate leaders have struck a compromise that appears poised to pass. The compromise plan would allow school districts to voluntarily raise the dropout age from 16 to 18 beginning in 2014.
Bill would change the dropout age
Winston-Salem Journal, North Carolina – March 7, 2013
A bill proposed Wednesday would raise the age at which students could legally drop out of school in North Carolina without permission from their parents from 16 to 18.
High School Graduation Rates Must Climb Higher
U.S. News & World Report – March 7, 2013
Last week, America's Promise Alliance and several other education research and advocacy organizations shared the good news that the nation's high school graduation rate is—for the first time—on pace to reach 90 percent by 2020. The news, revealed in our "Building a Grad Nation" report, deserves to be celebrated. That we could move the graduation rate from 71.7 percent in 2001 to 78.2 percent in 2010, with the greatest gains—an astonishing 5 percentage points—made in the past four years alone shows genuine progress is being made.
Juvenile Justice
Clayton juvenile program becomes model for state reform
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia – March 5, 2013
Quantavius Poole was a school brawler, a drug dealer, and he was facing five years in juvenile detention. Now, at 17, he is a sous chef for a caterer. He hopes to enlist in the National Guard so he can pay his way through a military college. He wants to enter the Air Force. The program that may have saved Poole, called Second Chance, is a blueprint for legislation to overhaul Georgia’s juvenile justice system.
Cornell Law Professors, Students Work for Juvenile Justice
The Cornell Daily Sun, Ithaca, New York – March 5, 2013
On behalf of 37 juveniles in South Carolina who have been sentenced to life in prison without parole, Cornell law students and professors are working to abolish sentences that may constitute “cruel and unusual punishment,” according to Prof. John Blume, law.
State House passes bill to seal most juvenile-court records
The Seattle Times, Olympia, WA – March 7, 2013
A bill approved Wednesday by the state House would seal most juvenile-court records, potentially helping teenage criminals move on, but also hindering scrutiny of one of the most closely watched sectors of government.
Foster Care
State teams up with Dave Thomas Foundation to ramp up adoptions
Springfield News-Sun, Columbus, OH – March 10, 2013
The state of Ohio has joined forces with The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption to expand a program that finds homes for older foster children.
Teen Pregnancy
New York City's Fight to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Huffington Post, New York, NY – March 7, 2013
A new ad campaign that aims to highlight teen pregnancy prevention in New York City is generating headlines this week -- but the important story is the innovative approaches the city has brought to this work over the last several years, which helped cut teen pregnancy by 27 percent in New York in the last 10 years.
Educators, health officials try to tackle teen pregnancy
KTIV NBC News, Sioux City, IA – March 5, 2013
In the U.S., teen pregnancy rates have fallen to historic lows. However, they're still the highest in the industrialized world. Among the six largest counties in Iowa, Woodbury ranks number one in teen pregnancies. Compared to the entire state, it's fifth overall. Woodbury County's teen pregnancy rate is 53 births per every 1,000 women aged 15 to 19. That means for every 1,000 teenage girls, 53 will get pregnant. The state rate is 33.
Compromise reached on raising Kentucky's high school dropout age
Lexington Herald-Leader, Frankfort, Kentucky – March 8, 2013
After more than three years of unsuccessful attempts to raise Kentucky's high school dropout age from 16 to 18, House and Senate leaders have struck a compromise that appears poised to pass. The compromise plan would allow school districts to voluntarily raise the dropout age from 16 to 18 beginning in 2014.
Bill would change the dropout age
Winston-Salem Journal, North Carolina – March 7, 2013
A bill proposed Wednesday would raise the age at which students could legally drop out of school in North Carolina without permission from their parents from 16 to 18.
High School Graduation Rates Must Climb Higher
U.S. News & World Report – March 7, 2013
Last week, America's Promise Alliance and several other education research and advocacy organizations shared the good news that the nation's high school graduation rate is—for the first time—on pace to reach 90 percent by 2020. The news, revealed in our "Building a Grad Nation" report, deserves to be celebrated. That we could move the graduation rate from 71.7 percent in 2001 to 78.2 percent in 2010, with the greatest gains—an astonishing 5 percentage points—made in the past four years alone shows genuine progress is being made.
Juvenile Justice
Clayton juvenile program becomes model for state reform
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia – March 5, 2013
Quantavius Poole was a school brawler, a drug dealer, and he was facing five years in juvenile detention. Now, at 17, he is a sous chef for a caterer. He hopes to enlist in the National Guard so he can pay his way through a military college. He wants to enter the Air Force. The program that may have saved Poole, called Second Chance, is a blueprint for legislation to overhaul Georgia’s juvenile justice system.
Cornell Law Professors, Students Work for Juvenile Justice
The Cornell Daily Sun, Ithaca, New York – March 5, 2013
On behalf of 37 juveniles in South Carolina who have been sentenced to life in prison without parole, Cornell law students and professors are working to abolish sentences that may constitute “cruel and unusual punishment,” according to Prof. John Blume, law.
State House passes bill to seal most juvenile-court records
The Seattle Times, Olympia, WA – March 7, 2013
A bill approved Wednesday by the state House would seal most juvenile-court records, potentially helping teenage criminals move on, but also hindering scrutiny of one of the most closely watched sectors of government.
Foster Care
State teams up with Dave Thomas Foundation to ramp up adoptions
Springfield News-Sun, Columbus, OH – March 10, 2013
The state of Ohio has joined forces with The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption to expand a program that finds homes for older foster children.
Teen Pregnancy
New York City's Fight to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Huffington Post, New York, NY – March 7, 2013
A new ad campaign that aims to highlight teen pregnancy prevention in New York City is generating headlines this week -- but the important story is the innovative approaches the city has brought to this work over the last several years, which helped cut teen pregnancy by 27 percent in New York in the last 10 years.
Educators, health officials try to tackle teen pregnancy
KTIV NBC News, Sioux City, IA – March 5, 2013
In the U.S., teen pregnancy rates have fallen to historic lows. However, they're still the highest in the industrialized world. Among the six largest counties in Iowa, Woodbury ranks number one in teen pregnancies. Compared to the entire state, it's fifth overall. Woodbury County's teen pregnancy rate is 53 births per every 1,000 women aged 15 to 19. That means for every 1,000 teenage girls, 53 will get pregnant. The state rate is 33.
Monday, March 04, 2013
This Week's News: Youth in Transition
Education
Schools looks to fix problems causing dropouts
Sun Herald, Vicksburg, MS – March 2, 2013
At the time, dropping out of Vicksburg Junior High School seemed like the only decision for Sengrid Griffin. Today, the Vicksburg Warren School District is making strides to address the problems of dropouts. Griffin said she wishes school districts placed more emphasis on identifying potential dropouts and helping -- whether it be through tutoring or therapy.
Tennessee's graduation rates improve
Jackson Sun, Tennessee – February 26, 2013
Tennessee’s high school graduation rate improved faster than those of other states as the nation finally showed promise of reaching the 90 percent diploma threshold, according to a report released today.
It Takes a B.A. to Find a Job as a File Clerk
The New York Times, Atlanta, GA – February 19, 2013
The college degree is becoming the new high school diploma: the new minimum requirement, albeit an expensive one, for getting even the lowest-level job. Consider the 45-person law firm of Busch, Slipakoff & Schuh here in Atlanta, a place that has seen tremendous growth in the college-educated population.
Juvenile Justice
Tennessee leads in shrinking juvenile detention rate
KnoxNews.com, Washington, D.C. – March 3, 2013
The rate of juvenile detention has fallen to its lowest national level in 35 years, with Tennessee showing the biggest drop, a new analysis of federal statistics shows. “Reducing Youth Incarceration in the U.S.,” released Wednesday by the private Annie E. Casey Foundation in Baltimore, shows a significant decline in confinement of people younger than 21.
Neb. lawmakers promise push for juvenile justice
San Francisco Chronicle, Lincoln, NE – March 1, 2013
Lawmakers are promising a major push to reduce the number of incarcerated juveniles in Nebraska, with a focus on early treatment for those with behavioral problems. Sens. Brad Ashford of Omaha and Amanda McGill of Lincoln touted a series of reform measures Friday that are set for hearings next week.
Georgia House approves juvenile justice overhaul
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia – February 28, 2013
After a brief presentation and no questions, the House on Thursday unanimously approved a rewrite of the state’s laws governing children, those in trouble with the law and those who are neglected or abused.
Foster Care
Mid-Plains to offer pilot program for transitional living
The Independent, Nebraska – March 3, 2013
Teenagers aging out of the Nebraska foster care system may soon have a place to land in Grand Island before being totally on their own. Mid-Plains Center for Behavioral Healthcare Services is preparing to open a pilot program for transitional living.
Cal Poly Former Foster Child Turns Into Foster Mentor
KCOY, San Luis Obispo, CA – March 2, 2013
Foster youth who age out of the system often end up homeless, unemployed or jailed. One foster care program in San Luis Obispo is hoping to change that. When Jesse Bartley was taken from her stepfather for abuse and neglect, all she had was a trash bag full of clothes. "Not having a stable environment and not having esteem," says Bartley. "You let you grades slack. All the things that you need to prop yourself up can fall through the cracks.” Her story reflects that of more than 350 foster kids in San Luis Obispo County alone.
Teen Pregnancy
New NYC media effort targets teen pregnancies
Long Island Newsday, New York, NY – March 3, 2013
The city launched a new media campaign Sunday to curb teen pregnancies. Although the teen-pregnancy rate in the city deceased 27 percent during the past 10 years, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said there are 20,000 teen pregnancies annually in the city and many of those parents struggle to pay the bills.
Raleigh County groups come together to lower teen pregnancy rates
WVNS TV, Raleigh County, NC – March 2, 2013
Child poverty in Raleigh County is unfortunately on the rise but many outreach groups are working hard to turn that around. On Saturday local agencies campaigned to lower teen pregnancy and school drop out rates. After the United Way and the Raleigh County Schools Superintendent began the event, the floor was open for discussion.
YWCA Working To Prevent Teen Pregnancy
WFMY News, Greensboro, NC – February 25, 2013
The YWCA's of Greensboro and High Point are teaming up on Monday to ask legislators for their help in preventing teenage pregnancy, an effort the YWCA tackles every day.
Schools looks to fix problems causing dropouts
Sun Herald, Vicksburg, MS – March 2, 2013
At the time, dropping out of Vicksburg Junior High School seemed like the only decision for Sengrid Griffin. Today, the Vicksburg Warren School District is making strides to address the problems of dropouts. Griffin said she wishes school districts placed more emphasis on identifying potential dropouts and helping -- whether it be through tutoring or therapy.
Tennessee's graduation rates improve
Jackson Sun, Tennessee – February 26, 2013
Tennessee’s high school graduation rate improved faster than those of other states as the nation finally showed promise of reaching the 90 percent diploma threshold, according to a report released today.
It Takes a B.A. to Find a Job as a File Clerk
The New York Times, Atlanta, GA – February 19, 2013
The college degree is becoming the new high school diploma: the new minimum requirement, albeit an expensive one, for getting even the lowest-level job. Consider the 45-person law firm of Busch, Slipakoff & Schuh here in Atlanta, a place that has seen tremendous growth in the college-educated population.
Juvenile Justice
Tennessee leads in shrinking juvenile detention rate
KnoxNews.com, Washington, D.C. – March 3, 2013
The rate of juvenile detention has fallen to its lowest national level in 35 years, with Tennessee showing the biggest drop, a new analysis of federal statistics shows. “Reducing Youth Incarceration in the U.S.,” released Wednesday by the private Annie E. Casey Foundation in Baltimore, shows a significant decline in confinement of people younger than 21.
Neb. lawmakers promise push for juvenile justice
San Francisco Chronicle, Lincoln, NE – March 1, 2013
Lawmakers are promising a major push to reduce the number of incarcerated juveniles in Nebraska, with a focus on early treatment for those with behavioral problems. Sens. Brad Ashford of Omaha and Amanda McGill of Lincoln touted a series of reform measures Friday that are set for hearings next week.
Georgia House approves juvenile justice overhaul
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia – February 28, 2013
After a brief presentation and no questions, the House on Thursday unanimously approved a rewrite of the state’s laws governing children, those in trouble with the law and those who are neglected or abused.
Foster Care
Mid-Plains to offer pilot program for transitional living
The Independent, Nebraska – March 3, 2013
Teenagers aging out of the Nebraska foster care system may soon have a place to land in Grand Island before being totally on their own. Mid-Plains Center for Behavioral Healthcare Services is preparing to open a pilot program for transitional living.
Cal Poly Former Foster Child Turns Into Foster Mentor
KCOY, San Luis Obispo, CA – March 2, 2013
Foster youth who age out of the system often end up homeless, unemployed or jailed. One foster care program in San Luis Obispo is hoping to change that. When Jesse Bartley was taken from her stepfather for abuse and neglect, all she had was a trash bag full of clothes. "Not having a stable environment and not having esteem," says Bartley. "You let you grades slack. All the things that you need to prop yourself up can fall through the cracks.” Her story reflects that of more than 350 foster kids in San Luis Obispo County alone.
Teen Pregnancy
New NYC media effort targets teen pregnancies
Long Island Newsday, New York, NY – March 3, 2013
The city launched a new media campaign Sunday to curb teen pregnancies. Although the teen-pregnancy rate in the city deceased 27 percent during the past 10 years, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said there are 20,000 teen pregnancies annually in the city and many of those parents struggle to pay the bills.
Raleigh County groups come together to lower teen pregnancy rates
WVNS TV, Raleigh County, NC – March 2, 2013
Child poverty in Raleigh County is unfortunately on the rise but many outreach groups are working hard to turn that around. On Saturday local agencies campaigned to lower teen pregnancy and school drop out rates. After the United Way and the Raleigh County Schools Superintendent began the event, the floor was open for discussion.
YWCA Working To Prevent Teen Pregnancy
WFMY News, Greensboro, NC – February 25, 2013
The YWCA's of Greensboro and High Point are teaming up on Monday to ask legislators for their help in preventing teenage pregnancy, an effort the YWCA tackles every day.
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