During the subsequent two days, students were represented by a private or court-appointed lawyer, reports the paper. The simulated arrests also teach students about how the legal system works while simultaneously deterring crime, according to program officials. It's loud when they close the door. Austin also admitted that he felt scared when he walked past the real people in jail. The group, which recently met to discuss methods of increasing membership and school reform issues, is one of the newest chapters of a national organization that boasts branches in 18 states.
Members are to serve as agents of change in their community, writes the paper.
For example, chapters have campaigned for school tax increases, establishing a parent complaint hot line, working to secure safer schools and changing school curricula. The group plans to collaborate with other school-related organizations such as the Parent Teacher Associations. The 35- member Little Rock chapter is currently recruiting new members and setting goals, notes the paper. To the surprise of no one, safety was one of the top concerns in the surveys. According to the paper, declining enrollments in Pittsburgh public schools coincided with an increase in gang violence.