As many young adults continue to disengage with learning each day teachers and administrators
struggle to find programming that re-engages secondary students with their schooling and
communities. This book profiles one program that succeeds in doing so and should serve as a
model for others. In a Midwestern alternative school three teachers built a curriculum around
hands-on learning restorative justice Talking Circles and multicultural education in the
hopes that it would re-engage and inspire youth. Drawing on adult transformative learning
theory this book is an in-depth qualitative study of the ways the program transformed adult
and youth perceptions of trust connections schooling and human rights. This book breaks down
stereotypes about youth labeled at-risk and provides evidence that it is never too late to
become passionate about learning.
