Program I Work in on Front Page of Newark Star Ledger

[NJCher]

Yesterday this was the main story on the front page of the Star Ledger. It was above the fold on the hard copy. Good news from Newark!

http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2016/05/against_the_odds_100_of_kids_in_this_newark_progra.html

Against the odds: 100% of kids in this Newark program got into college


NEWARK — For the 73,000 children in the state's largest city, the odds of going to college are not good.

According to the most recent New Jersey School performance Report, one high school in Newark – Barringer Arts Academy – has the lowest average SAT score of any high school in the state, and the second lowest graduation rate of any high school in the state, just 35.69 percent.

According to the latest Census estimates, only about 13.7 percent of the city's population has a college degree, as compared to nearly 40 percent statewide. An education advocacy group last year received a $1.5 million grant as part of an effort to increase the population's college graduation rate to 25 percent by the year 2025.

But 130 kids in the city say they have found a way to defy the odds.

The New Jersey Law and Education Empowerment Project, or NJ LEEP, a competitive, after-school, college-prep program that students apply to enter during the summer after their eighth grade year, started modestly nine years ago. Looking for a way to motivate Newark students, the nonprofit, which is affiliated with Seton Hall's law school, targeted teens interested in the law, and in going to college. The first summer, 27 kids took part in the program.

More at the link.

I enjoy my Saturdays working with the students, my fellow teachers, and the staff at NJ LEEP. When I go home from work, I feel like I've really accomplished something.


Cher

[libodem]

1. Very cool

[Hoyt]

2. Good work and Thanks!

[MerryBlooms]

3. Wow, that's terrific! Congrats to you all!!

[phylny]

4. Thank you for sharing this story! n/t

[Liberal Jesus Freak]

5. Lovely!!!

Thanks for making a difference

[DamnYankeeInHouston]

6. That is awesome. Keep it up. Forever.

[Octafish]

7. Congratulations, NJCher!

I've forwarded that to a few good people in Detroit.

[KoKo]

8. Good Stuff! Thanks!

's

[greiner3]

9. Congrats

But if next year only 99.9% graduate, will this cause some sort of ratings and/or teachers' pay go down? BTW it sucks that in the world I find myself in, my conjecture could be possible

[rurallib]

10. You should be very proud

the very best way to keep kids out of trouble.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

11. You HAVE accomplished something, NJCher

Take a bow and thanks for sharing your good news here. As a fellow teacher, I salute you!



K&R

[ReRe]

12. Congratulations to you...

... and your school too! Is there a limit on the number of students that can participate in the program? I hope that the program grows and grows and grows until all of Newark's children can participate in it!

Keep doing what you're doing!

[Liberal_in_LA]

13. k&r

[Jim Lane]

14. K&R&grats! (n/t)

[Surya Gayatri]

15. So uplifting and inspiring. Brilliant job. Enormous K & R.

[JDPriestly]

16. K&R. Thanks or the work you are doing.

[Brother Buzz]

17. Proof you don't have to be wealthy in order to be great

[libdem4life]

18. I was fortunate to live in California in the 60s

The first two years at Jr. Colleges were free. All could participate.

I got through my last two years on NDEA loans...National Defense Education Act.

I paid them back by being a teacher. .. every year my balance automatically went down until it was $0.

It's not a pie in the sky as it's already been done and looks like this program does so as well.

Hats off to NJ.

[barbtries]

19. clearly you really have accomplished something

way to go. i'm choking up here, guess i was in deep need of good news!