Nearly 100 high school students from across PCSSD were sworn in on October 7 to participate in Teen Court, a program that gives students meaningful roles in a restorative approach to school discipline.
Teen Court differs from a traditional trial. It does not determine guilt or innocence. Instead, students who have violated school rules have an opportunity to take responsibility and address the harm their actions caused.
Students serving in Teen Court take on roles including judges, jurors and advocates. In PCSSDās peer-jury model, students present cases, question respondents, deliberate and determine appropriate sanctions while an adult judge presides. Sanctions may include community service, writing or reflection assignments, and workshops or classes focused on conflict resolution, decision-making and life skills.
The process provides an alternative to disciplinary consequences that could otherwise remove students from instruction. Teachers, school resource officers and other school staff can refer cases involving violations that might result in suspension or other sanctions to Teen Court.
Students from Wilbur D. Mills University Studies High School, Joe T. Robinson High School, Maumelle High School and Sylvan Hills High School participate in the program. Members take an oath of confidentiality and complete orientation and training before serving throughout the school year.
PCSSD developed its Teen Court model in partnership with Ark. Sen. Jamie Scott, Pulaski County Youth Services and Arkansas State Judge Mark Leverett for District 31, with students participating through a juvenile justice class and receiving class credit. Senator Scott has described PCSSDās model as unique in Arkansas.
Studies indicate that participants are less likely to reoffend than teens in the traditional court system. Dr. Janice Warren, PCSSD assistant superintendent of Student Services, oversees the program and told students during the swearing-in ceremony, āYour school is going to be better because you are part of that Teen Court.ā
Teen Court participants are listed below by school.
WILBUR D. MILLS UNIVERSITY STUDIES HIGH SCHOOL Aniya Alford Taylor Anderson Dontrell Austin Kenny Baez YaYa Carter Cortez Carter Bryshun Cunningham Jaylan Danner Qua Doss RJ Eaton Kaylah Fabian-Lucas Makiyah Finley Summer Floyd Jarya Gigson Ta'aizya Gillespie Cal Hall Allan Hall Daylan Hope Linyah Jackson Zakirah Jarrett Kayla Jordan Shanya Lapp Jamion Reese Trey Rhodes Marc Rice Carmyn Simpson Liah Stigal Amaree Summons Cha'kyla Walker Chanel Williams | JOE T. ROBINSON HIGH SCHOOL Jordyn Barnes Evan Benavides Vergara Valeria Benitez Alvarado Jacobi Booth John Bracey Jonah Carey Noah Carter Josiah Cooper Joshlyn Dean Cali Dickson Turner Gray Jerome Greenwood Lily Hamlett Aaliyah Hegwood Kylee Hunt-Lynch Imonei Jackson Kayli Johnson Brin Lewellen Aubri Marsh Christopher McCaslin Peyton McMillian Jayden Messick Justin Moody Claire Norwood Kierra Phillips Khamari Rochelle Rea Shala Reece Simpson Colton Smith Kaleb Tubbs Da'Marrion Washington Cameron Wedgeworth Peyton Wiley Karis Wolcott | MAUMELLE HIGH SCHOOL Kah'mya Carter Abigail Durnal Kaitlyn Eerenberg Zania Ellis Cordrayl Grayson Makayla Harris Noel Lovett Logan Vance Cameron Williams | SYLVAN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL Evonna Borkins Eric Duckery Ethan Godbee Kourtney Hood Ducy James Harrison Merchant Timothy Morris Kiani Nightingale Marlene Noriega Carson Owens Ryan Parham Ayden Ricks Cole Robbins Dawson Young |