Hundreds of teens from around the state gathered this week at the Augusta Civic Center to learn how to work with community leaders to bring about social changes.

Dolfine Gumba Dawa described the progress, aided by Waterville-area benefactors, at the school and children’s residence she established in her home country.

Augusta still is setting up its program; Oakland and Waterville have had school resource officers for at least 15 years and say they help keep teens out of the criminal justice system.

A dip in the state’s score from last year’s National Assessment of Educational Progress test reflects a national trend.

Students helped the town develop a 14-question survey to gauge public interest to switching to a pay-as-you-throw and curbside recycling programs.