Through repeated failures in the classroom and the development of destructive habits, at-risk young people have lost faith in the possibilities that await them if they are successful in putting their lives together. In today’s classroom our youth are told to follow the curriculum, don’t disrupt the class, meet the state standards in all subjects, and at the end of the school year pass all standardized exams. Everything is organized as a script. The process is simple wash, rinse, repeat.

Unfortunately, the curriculum is so scripted that it doesn’t allow the student or teacher to be creative in the way they teach and are taught. For students who ask a lot of questions, think deeply, and want to create a true connection to what is being taught, today’s classroom simply does not work. The script they are given is so structured that it forces teachers to ignore students who are asking brilliant questions. These students quickly grow frustrated, and before long become increasingly disengaged.  As they grow more disengaged they begin to feel disconnected from the classroom. Before long, their frustrations turn into either behavioral problems or complete disinterest in school as a whole.