JUDY WOODRUFF:

Finally tonight, a distinct way of giving students their own voice.

Earlier, we reported on another violent holiday weekend in Chicago. More than 50 people were shot over four days. Last year, more than 4,000 were shot in the city.

Often, when we talk about the school system in Chicago, we hear about too much violence and too little money.

Tonight, we look at a project led by the nation's poet laureate to give kids a way of creating meaningful expression about their lives and challenges they face.

Jeffrey Brown is back with this report. It's part of our weekly series Making the Grade.