Kids In Disadvantaged Schools Don't Need Tests To Tell Them They're Being Cheated
Over the past year, this newspaper spoke with high school students educated in the Trenton Public Schools (TPS) district. The interviews took place in the presence of an adult and the teens were granted anonymity to speak freely and honestly. Each interview started with vague questions, such as “What is it like to live in Trenton?” While some students also spoke about nice and community-oriented neighbors, each of the conversations began with a discussion about violence.
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“The school smells like weed,” a highschooler said. “They smoke in the hallways and stairwells almost everyday.”
While some students said school guards “try to stop bad behavior” and convince kids to stay out of trouble, others described guards as “too young,” with “not enough care” for what happens.
“This guy told the security guards what was going to happen to him, but they didn't care enough to do anything about it, so he got jumped,” a teen said. “They don't take their job seriously.”
And as for teachers: “I feel like it depends on whether they know the student wants to change,” a teen said.
Students said some teachers will remain persistent in trying to convince a kid CONTINUE READING:
Jersey Jazzman: Kids In Disadvantaged Schools Don't Need Tests To Tell Them They're Being Cheated
