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Playlist: Youth Media

Compiled By: The National Center for Media Engagement

Caption: PRX default Playlist image

These stories share the perspectives of youth from around the country about dropping out of school and how to stay in school until graduation.

8th-Grade Journalist Spotlights Violence in School, Hopes Obama Will Notice

From The National Center for Media Engagement | Part of the PBS Newshour series | 09:04

How does violence affect students' ability to learn? That's what eighth-grader De'Qonton Davis and his classmates set out to investigate as part of the NewsHour's Student Reporting Labs project in partnership with PBS station WEDU in Tampa. The students produced a unique video report that they hope President Obama will see.

Pbs-newshour-vertical_1_homepage_slot_1_small How does violence affect students' ability to learn? That's what eighth-grader De'Qonton Davis and his classmates set out to investigate as part of the NewsHour's Student Reporting Labs project in partnership with PBS station WEDU in Tampa. The students produced a unique video report that they hope President Obama will see.

Graduate Project Audio Piece 1

From The National Center for Media Engagement | Part of the American Graduate series | 09:23

In the spring of 2011, KSJD talked with high school and middle school students from Southwest Open School, Cortez Middle School, and Montezuma-Cortez High School in Cortez, Colorado about their views on academic success, what they have to do to get their high school diplomas, and what teachers and administrators could do to help them graduate.
This is what they had to say.

Ksjd_sunflower_logo_small In the spring of 2011, KSJD talked with high school and middle school students from Southwest Open School, Cortez Middle School, and Montezuma-Cortez High School in Cortez, Colorado about their views on academic success, what they have to do to get their high school diplomas, and what teachers and administrators could do to help them graduate. This is what they had to say.

Graduate Project Audio Piece 1

From The National Center for Media Engagement | Part of the American Graduate series | 09:23

In the spring of 2011, KSJD talked with high school and middle school students from Southwest Open School, Cortez Middle School, and Montezuma-Cortez High School in Cortez, Colorado about their views on academic success, what they have to do to get their high school diplomas, and what teachers and administrators could do to help them graduate.
This is what they had to say.

Ksjd_sunflower_logo_small In the spring of 2011, KSJD talked with high school and middle school students from Southwest Open School, Cortez Middle School, and Montezuma-Cortez High School in Cortez, Colorado about their views on academic success, what they have to do to get their high school diplomas, and what teachers and administrators could do to help them graduate. This is what they had to say.

WMMT - Reasons

From The National Center for Media Engagement | Part of the American Graduate series | 04:59

Youth-produced content exploring the various reasons students drop out of high school, such as bullying and teen pregnancy.

Wmmt-tagline-logo-320x83_small Producers Alexis Fields, Matthew Mullins, and Katie Ross explored the reasons why students drop out, and what resulting issues arose from their decision. In this piece we hear the story of Matthew, a gay teen who is pressured into quitting because of bullying, and Norma, a teen mother who dropped out of school in the 8th grade.

WMMT - Epic

From The National Center for Media Engagement | Part of the American Graduate series | 10:08

Youth-produced content that deals with increased punishments over the years that may intimidate students and influence them to drop out.

Wmmt-tagline-logo-320x83_small Dustin Hall, Jared Sexton, Austin Little, and Oakley Fugate produced this story, which deals with the increased disparity of punishments over the years in public schools, as well as the issue of neglect to certain casts of students. We hear the voices of Oakley’s father, who recalls his experiences as a high school student in the 1970s, Justin, a Junior at Letcher County Central, and Tony Sergent, former high school teacher and current principal at a local Elementary school.

Dropping Out: Part One

From The National Center for Media Engagement | Part of the American Graduate series | 02:51

Welcome to Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, Alabama, a Title I "dropout factory" striving to improve its success rates.

Apt_logo_small Produced by Woodlawn High School Jeff Meadows' Journalism Class

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS: AVID = Advancement Via Individual Determination

From The National Center for Media Engagement | Part of the American Graduate series | 04:51

New Mexico students express their motivations for coming to school and what drives them to graduate, in part thanks to AVID.

Knme_logo-300x111_small New Mexico students express their motivations for coming to school and what drives them to graduate, in part thanks to AVID.

Blaketon Rogers - Junior at Rickards High School

From The National Center for Media Engagement | Part of the American Graduate series | 01:58

A class president discusses his responsibilities and motivations, and how he sets an example for younger peers.

Wfsu_final_noshadow_small A class president discusses his responsibilities and motivations, and how he sets an example for younger peers.

Pete Love - Chiles High School

From The National Center for Media Engagement | Part of the American Graduate series | 01:58

High School Junior Pete Loves shares his feelings of success, defeat and perseverance in school.

Wfsu_final_noshadow_small High School Junior Pete Loves shares his feelings of success, defeat and perseverance in school.

Carlton Brimm - Lincoln High School Senior

From The National Center for Media Engagement | 01:46

Carlton Brimm learns valuable life skills in addition to formal education

Wfsu_final_noshadow_small Carlton Brimm learns valuable life skills in addition to formal education

Markeal Dickey - Lincoln High School Senior & Distinguished Young Gentlemen of America member

From The National Center for Media Engagement | Part of the American Graduate series | 01:54

Markeal Dickey reflects on his high school experience and offers advice to upcoming students

Wfsu_final_noshadow_small Markeal Dickey reflects on his high school experience and offers advice to upcoming students

An American Graduate - BUMP Records, KQED, and BAVC

From The National Center for Media Engagement | Part of the American Graduate series | 20:51

BUMP records gives young Bay Area artists the opportunity to develop real-world skills through participation in a youth-run record label. Through a partnership with the Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC) and KQED, the program allows accepted students to develop their own high quality music projects under the guidance of professional staff. A two-pronged curriculum teaches students lyric writing and artistic development as well as technical training with professional equipment.

An American Graduate is a product of the program, made possible by BAVC, KQED and BUMP records.

Bump_small

1. Thinking in the Now – Shanelle Silas, 3ss3ns, Cinco and Bhindi G

“Thinking in the Now” brings the perspective to the at-risk youth population, exploring reasons for dropping out. Often, students don’t realize the long-term impact of dropping out and leave school because it’s the easiest way at the moment. The BUMP crew recognizes the daily hardships and lives them personally, but they plead with those at risk to think long-term and persevere.

Written and performed by S. Silas, D. Evans, F. Blackwell, N. Gokul, J. Karon, S. Palacios

Produced by Cops-n-Robbers (JustKidding and MeMyselfni)

 

2. My Perfect School – Cinco and JustKidding

What does your perfect school look like? To Cinco and JustKidding, it’s a place for balanced learning and play, where you can sit in front and answer every question, where the teachers respect students and their dreams, and where student evaluation is based on models that fit the individual rather than one-size-fits-all letter grades.

Written and performed by F. Blackwell, J. Karon

Produced by JustKidding

 

3. Beauty – Anais Azul

Anais Azul gives a heartfelt vocal performance exploring true beauty – “liberation, education, desegregation,” according to the song. Physical beauty carries less weight in the long term than intellect, so “keep it together,” sings Azul.

Written and performed by A. Aragon, J. Karon

Produced by JustKidding

 

4. A Teacher’s Perspective – 3ss3ns, Bhindi G and Shanelle Silas

In this lyrically sincere track, 3ss3ns, Bhindi G and Shanelle Silas step into the shoes of a teacher at an under-performing school and face real-life hardships. Which student won’t show up tomorrow? How much are my students actually learning? Where’s the outside support? The BUMP trio may not answer these questions explicitly, but they bring them to the forefront of discussion.

Written and performed by D. Evans, N. Gokul, S. Silas, J. Karon

Produced by JustKidding

 

5. In A Classroom (Interlude) – Anais Azul

A passionate piece of spoken word brings the setting to the frontlines of a school, the classroom, questioning the authority of standardized evaluations and emphasizing the student’s need to stay alert and attentive.

Written and Performed by A. Aragon

 

6. No Motivation – Cinco and Bhindi G

Cinco and Bhindi G get real about the disparities faced by young minority students in low-income neighborhoods. It’s easy to drop out when you don’t learn anything in school and are just tested, and even easier when there are more pressing things at home and in the community to worry about.

Written and performed by F. Blackwell, N. Gokul, S. Palacios

Produced by MeMyselfni