The Trenton Times published the following article on November 12, 2013. To read the full article, click here.
New program to help Trenton students with behavioral, emotional problems
By Jenna Pizzi/The Times of Trenton
on November 12, 2013 at 7:10 AM, updated November 12, 2013 at 7:13 AMTRENTON — A new program designed to assist students with behavioral and emotional problems has replaced the unsuccessful alternative middle school program that was implemented in Trenton schools two years ago.
The new Harrison Alternative Program was begun this September, replacing the Rivera Learning Community. The Rivera school, meant to operate as an alternative middle school, opened in 2011 at the urging of the district’s former state fiscal monitor Mark Cowell.
The school was to address the population of students who were unsuccessful in traditional classrooms, some of whom interrupted teachers and monopolized the instruction time. The goal of the school was to provide one-on-one attention and smaller class size.
The Rivera school last year had an enrollment of about 100 students, but not all of those at the school fit the criteria for acceptance. Some of the students were special education and others were overflow from crowded schools in the district.
Superintendent Francisco Duran, who had considered privatizing the alternative middle school last year, said this new program has given the district the ability to reset the goals and refocus to become successful at addressing the needs of students with behavioral and emotional problems.