The state Division of Youth Services and Shorter College on Thursday announced a partnership to provide youthful offenders the opportunity to earn college credit.
The program started June 1 and currently serves 10 students housed at the Arkansas Juvenile Assessment and Treatment Center in Alexander, Department of Youth Services Director Marcus Devine said. Leaders from Shorter College and the Department of Youth Services gathered at the center Thursday for the announcement.
"We looked around the country for programs to have college credit granted to students in juvenile [detention] and their programs were online," Devine said. "A professor [from Shorter College] actually comes to the institution and teaches the students. We think that's unique."
Devine said the program is a "work in progress" and that there is a potential to serve more students in the future.
"We think this educational opportunity is a great opportunity for rehabilitation for [youthful offenders] to not reoffend, to not come back into the system," he said. "We are taking advantage of the children we have here to move them forward on the path of success."
Department of Youth Services Superintendent James Washington said the program was created in about six months. Planning started in December, and the program was ready by the first summer session at Shorter College, he said.
Shorter College developed the curriculum for the program, college President O. Jerome Green said at the announcement. Academic Dean Jean Manning said students just completed accelerated English and speech classes. In the second summer session this month, students will take accelerated math and English Composition I.
Green said the college had to gain approval to teach the classes at the juvenile center through its accreditation association. Youths can participate in the program through Title IV financial assistance, he said.
Randy Hassel, 18, of Hector, completed the first round of classes last month and praised his professor, Shayla Williams, and the program.
"[The program] taught me there's more things in my life than just getting into trouble," he said. "It's taught me there's more things out there to help me proceed into a better lifestyle and to become a more productive person in society instead of just being a criminal."
Hassel, who said he is happy to speak publicly about his participation in the program, plans to attend the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton when he leaves the juvenile center.
"All of the credit he receives here is transferable to UACCM," Devine said. "This is an opportunity for an independence day where we are hoping to free the minds of these [juveniles]."
See Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.