Project Education gives expelled students a second chance in Decatur

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — When students are expelled from Decatur Public Schools without a stay, they don't have many options. According to Michael Karas, former DPS educator and Case Advocate for Project Education at Old King's Orchard Community Center (OKO), students can either try to get into a private school or take on some form of homeschooling or online education.

"We've already heard stories from kids that are coming to us now that they homeschooled for a year and they placed two years behind," said Karas. "If the kid is not learning the curriculum, they will be back where they started or even a grade behind." 

Project Education aims to stop that problem. Currently, 10 students go to OKO three times a week to work on their online curriculum. This means they can ask instructors for help, problem solve with other students, and have a chance to socialize with peers instead of staying home alone. 

"They come right in and they come and they get like 50% of their classes done within months because they're ready to move on," said Karas. "They're ready to learn. Maybe at the time when they got in trouble they weren't ready, but now we believe they are."

Karas said many of the students in the program are excelling far above the expectations of their grade level. One student will likely be three classes ahead when he starts his sophomore year in a traditional school. 

"If I wanted to go back to regular school, I was told that I had to wait two years or actually move, and I was planning on moving before this program came about," said Byron Crews, a current freshman in the program. "I'm trying to stay on track so I can have all my credits when I go back to DPS." 

Crews enjoys the program because it allows him to talk to other students and get help from them when he needs it. He also says the program holds him accountable to stay on track with his school work. 

Devon Joyner, the Executive Director of OKO, says programs like this are crucial to solving some of the root issues in the community. He says many people don't think these kids deserve a second chance and want to treat them like adults instead of adolescents. 

"We need to get students in a situation to understand that you are a part of something and you can grow in a positive direction," said Joyner. "Kids need their education and they need to learn how to compute and comprehend. That's the only way they will be able to get gainful employment." 

For more information on OKO and the programs offered there, head to this link.

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