School choice producing segregation in districts across the state

School choice producing segregation in districts across the state

Mike Langenright
Education

Holland, Mich. – For more than a decade, Holland Public Schools has watched its enrollment fall, prompting the closure – and demolition – of multiple schools.

The decline is not the result of an aging community with fewer, school-age children. Rather, it’s largely a reflection of Michigan’s generous school choice policies. Choice has, consciously or not, left districts like Holland not only scrambling for students, but more racially segregated as its white students leave, often for districts that are less diverse.

Students Pledge To Do the “Write” Thing To End Violence

Students Pledge To Do the “Write” Thing To End Violence

Mike Langenright

“I don’t remember everything that happened when I was 3, but I can recall one certain night.My mother was sprawled out in the middle of the floor and coated with blood, and my father had dozens of beer bottles. He was breaking the beer bottles and using the sharp parts of the broken glass to cut into her. He had a belt and was whacking her with it over and over. I will never forget that night. Every time I wake up, I see that memory in my head. It’s a never-ending nightmare.”

Strong Education Programs, Supports Can Be Potent for Justice-Involved Youth

Strong Education Programs, Supports Can Be Potent for Justice-Involved Youth

Kevin Barnwell
Ideas and Opinions, Education

Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” In my case, education fundamentally saved my life. At age 16, I was sentenced to serve six years at a secure juvenile detention facility in upstate New York for the crime of attempted murder.

I committed the offense when I was 15 years and 363 days old. If I been 16 at the time of the offense, I would have been charged as an adult and would have received a much longer sentence than six years.

Trauma-informed Care for Juvenile Justice Staff Must Include Self-care

Trauma-informed Care for Juvenile Justice Staff Must Include Self-care

Mike Langenright
Reading Recommendations

Juvenile justice professionals are evolving to better understand the impact of trauma on youth. In 2012 the U.S. Attorney General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence called for organizations to provide trauma-informed care and develop trauma-informed policies.

Trauma care of youth, those who are justice-involved and those who are not, begins first with good employee self-care, which is intertwined with good team care.

Obama’s New Juvenile Justice Rules: What To Know

Obama’s New Juvenile Justice Rules: What To Know

Mike Langenright
Juvenile Justice News

The Justice Department last week published proposed new rules related to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) that will require most states to make significant improvements or face the loss of federal funds at a time when the appropriation has dropped significantly.

The changes to the central mechanism for federal juvenile justice funding come amidst uncertainty about reauthorization of the bill, and after a decline in federal funding for the act.

Every state but Wyoming participates in the JJPDA...

Photos from the MJDA Higgins Lake Annual Conference Have Been Posted

Photos from the MJDA Higgins Lake Annual Conference Have Been Posted

Mike Langenright
MJDA Member News

The 2016 MJDA Higgins Lake Conference kicked off with a scavenger hunt and team building activity facilitated by Doug Murch from Jackson County. On Thursday, attendees spent time in training sessions including: practice with LGBTQ youth presented by Patrick Gaulier, Chardae Korhonen, and Victoria Boss of Ozone House, Michigan's Youth Behind Bars presented by Kristen Staley from the Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency, and Motivational Interviewing presented by Mike Clark of Build Motivation. Thursday wrapped up with the annual Child Care Worker of the Year Awards Ceremony and on Friday morning, Payge Hodapp of Brain Gym, gave attendees tools for activating the human brain to energize the learning and therapeutic processes.

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