Windham School District celebrates Second Chance Month

Yahoo

17-04-2025

Apr. 16—HUNTSVILLE — In April of each year, Windham School District and its higher education partners, in collaboration with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, recognizes its alumni by celebrating Second Chance Month.
This month is dedicated to honoring individuals who accessed and completed rehabilitative programs during incarceration and are now thriving in their communities and lives. Second Chance Month also highlights the importance of entities such as Windham, college and university partners across the state and others that are committed to providing opportunities for people who are incarcerated to engage in academic and career and technical education programs with promising labor market projections in preparation to contribute to Texas communities.
Seventeen years ago, on April 9, the Second Chance Act was enacted to help improve the likelihood of life-long success for individuals leaving incarceration. Texas reports one of the lowest recidivism rates in the country, with only 16.9% of individuals returning to incarceration within three years of reentry. Windham and postsecondary partners have contributed to this decrease of recidivism by remaining committed to educational opportunities while cultivating student excellence and transforming lives.
"Second Chance Month allows Windham to recognize former students and graduates who worked diligently during incarceration to prepare for productive futures," Windham Superintendent Kristina J. Hartman said in a news release. "These individuals prioritized their education, gained strong career skills and maintained an optimistic outlook resulting in a positive impact to themselves, their families and communities."
Through the power of education, Windham fosters successful outcomes by offering a variety of educational opportunities, including life skills programs that promote cognitive behavioral outcomes, academic courses for students to earn their high school equivalency or diploma and dual credit opportunities through partnerships with Lee College and Central Texas College. Additionally, Windham offers approximately 40 hands-on career and technical education (CTE) courses to help prepare students for employment in high-demand jobs. Finally, Windham partners with institutions of higher education for students to continue career preparedness, building upon the skills obtained with the district, through certificate and degree programs.
Windham's steadfast dedication to providing success-driven educational opportunities to our students is represented in the district's alumni. According to Windham's 2023-2024 Annual Performance Report, of the 46,648 individuals who rejoined their communities from TDCJ in the 2023-2024 school year, 70% participated in Windham programs. Furthermore, approximately 60% of students enrolled in higher education programs during incarceration were Windham graduates. The district is proud to celebrate the positive impacts of current and future alumni during this year's Second Chance Month.