Their body language has changed. It only takes a few weeks, and you notice they raise their heads up. Next, they start looking you in the eye, and their shoulders are back. Bringing statewide attention to the issue of at-risk students, for example, helps focus local districts on developing alternative programs to help students stay in school. And state financial incentives often provide an additional nudge to school districts.
New Jersey is already the site of many successful programs for at-risk students.
This school of 32 students is staffed by two full-time teachers. Ten faculty members and about 30 students at Lodi College, where the program is housed, also instruct and tutor students who are selected based on their potential for success. Many of FAS's students had scored well on standardized tests but weren't doing well in the classroom. Being held back had added to the students' frustrations. Some had been expelled for bullying or disruptive behaviors.