Tonight on PBS: the Juvenile Justice System and the Need for a Culture of (high)Expectations

Tonight, PBS Newshour is taking a look inside the juvenile justice system with photographer Richard Ross. Over the past five years, Ross traveled to 30 states and interviewed over 1,000 youth in 300 juvenile detention centers. The kids ranged in age from 7 to 24 years old, because states decide how long an adolescent can legally be determined an adolescent.

While in detention, many of the kids spend 6.5 hours in school, where, as Ross explains, the teachers are prepared for at-risk and troubled students. They aren't able to ditch class and are often able to learn. 

One of Ross' many takeaways, is the importance having a culture of high expectations. He explains to PBS:

"Their families have limited expectations of who they can be and they themselves have limited expectations," Ross said. "But when you get a teacher that's dedicated to these kids and they say, 'ladies and gentlemen I expect something of you,' they can amaze you."

Tune in and share your reactions in the comment section.

Liz Wu is a Digital Accounts Manager at Prichard Communications, where she oversees digital outreach for Reclaiming Futures and edits Reclaiming Futures Every Day. Before joining the Prichard team, Liz established the West Coast communications presence for the New America Foundation, where she managed all media relations, event planning and social media outreach for their 6 domestic policy programs. Liz received a B.A. in both Peace and Conflict Studies and German from the University of California at Berkeley. She tweets from @LizSF.