Mon., 4/30/12: Who Cares About Kelsey?

Who Cares About Kelsey?

In her first two years of high school,  Kelsey Carroll struggled. Kelsey's home life was a wreck, she was failing classes, and got caught selling drugs at school. Most students in her situation would drop out of school, but instead, Kelsey improved. The difference was that her school, Somersworth High School in New Hampshire, tried something different and innovative. Teachers worked one-on-one with students. They developed plans, had regular check-ins, counseling, class help, life advice. Dropout rates went down, grades went up.

We talk about dramatic turnarounds with Kelsey Carroll, one of the teachers who helped her through it, and filmmaker Dan Habib, who chronicled her story in his new film, Who Cares About Kelsey? (Click for full screening schedule.)

GUESTS: 
  Kelsey Carroll, subject of Who Cares About Kelsey?
  Dan Habib, filmmaker in Residence at the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire. His new documentary is called "Who Cares About Kelsey?" His previous documentary, Including Samuel, was nominated for an Emmy.
  Jonathon Drake, project training coordinator for RENEW - Rehabilitation for Empowerment, Natural Supports, Education, and Work - at the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability. He worked on Kelsey Carroll's team at Somersworth High School.