At 44%, the City of Atlanta also boasts one of the nation's lowest graduation rates, landing it in the same pool of Cities in Crisis. The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice reports that for Atlanta's Fulton County, African-American youth made up over 93% of total intake for unique youth served for criminal offenses; over 92% of admissions for criminal offenses; over 92% of releases for criminal offenses committed; over 96% of the average daily population for criminal offenses; and over 95% of child care days served for criminal defenses. This past summer, The Atlanta Department of Police's Gang Unit has identified some 50 youth gangs in the city, notwithstanding the surrounding suburbs-this according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The city's unemployment rate stands at 10.5%, more than the nation's current employment rate of 10.2%. According to Recovery.gov, the Atlanta zip code of 30354 has received over $42,000,000 in funds, but only 30 jobs have been created. Examiner.com 2009
Project 2nd Chance is a Community-Based Alternative Education Program. Project 2nd Chance has developed an alternative education program where students are eligible to get help, even though they have been unable to succeed in a regular classroom. These students (we believe) are more likely to have success in an alternative academic/vocational setting. The academic curriculum will be infused into work-based learning, as well as structured work experiences, utilizing partnerships among business, industry, government, community, and school.
- There are more African Americans under correctional control today than were enslaved in 1850
- More African Americans cannot vote TODAY (due to felony laws) then in 1870
- Black men not GRADUATING High School --- over 65% spend time in prison by their 25th birthday
- 72% are unemployed
- 78% of state prisons inmates, almost 68% of federal inmates, and over 70% of jail inmates did not graduate high school
Project 2nd Chance will be the type of alternative educational program that creates small, supportive, caring communities of support, while emphasizing high expectations for excellence and educational achievement. Various community agencies and organizations will provide support to students and their families to address the special characteristics and unique learning needs of each student.
Project 2nd Chance will contract with a number of urban public school systems throughout metropolitan Atlanta to provide consulting and educational alternatives for the systems most challenging students. Its programs will be designed to address the needs of students who are not succeeding in the traditional school setting.
Project Second Chance is a diploma completion program that combines work and school in a flexible half or full day session. Project Second Chance is designed for urban youth ages 16 to 21 who have already left the school system, and who unfortunately, have not completed their high school graduation requirements. This program allows school districts the opportunity to reduce their dropout rates and increase their graduation rates. There are over 100,000 youth in the Atlanta metropolitan area between the ages of 16 and 21 who need a second chance because they have not been able to achieve academic success in a traditional high school setting. We believe that Project Second Chance can address this issue and provide not only a solution, but hope for these forgotten youth.
Project Second Chance will combine computer-aided instruction using the NOVANET learning system with smart group data driven direct instruction in all core subject areas including English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. The curriculum offers the same electives that the students must master for a high school diploma. Students will be instructed by teachers, counselors, and other staff members who have met the certification requirements of the state. The program will be fully aligned with the Georgia’s core curriculum standards.
If we don’t do something to help these forgotten souls, by giving them a second chance and thus, a way out of no way, there is a very high likelihood we’ll be taking care of them in a different way - through the jail system.
