If there is one group of students with the most to gain from staying in school, it is those minors transitioning out of the juvenile justice system. Yet of the roughly 42,000 youth who attend California’s juvenile court schools each year, only 20 percent successfully reenroll within 30 days of their release from the system.
It’s tough to be a teen in the job market.From figuring out the balance between school, work, and family to trying out professional etiquette for the first time, Youth Radio explored how young people get the skills they need to hold onto the jobs they want.
Students have to be at risk of dropping out of high school to land a job at Southwire. It’s all part of a program called “12 For Life.” Southwire created it in 2007, together with the local County school system, to try and improve the dropout rate and improve the lives of teens like Deriek Foster.
School policing isn’t a new topic but since the Connecticut school shooting, administrators and school officials have been pushing for even more police presence in schools.
“If you have an adult in your life mentoring you… you’re more likely to graduate.” -Yariset Rodriguez
I remember the first student I ever suspended. He was 13 years old. It started off as a minimal disruption. He was stealing pencils from other students at his table. That turned into breaking pencils. Then, stealing homework.
I’ve been out of the classroom for three years now, and for the past year, I’ve been following teachers, students and school districts, trying to understand the latest research on school suspension and its effects down the line.
A lot of my friends say, “Jobs are more important than fighting ” yet they are unemployed and always fighting. They say, “I want to go to college ” but are quick to cut class and drop out. It seems like some of my friends have their priorities mixed up.
