NCJ Number
178430
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 36 Issue: 3 Dated: August 1999 Pages: 323-336
Date Published
1999
Length
14 pages
Annotation
An experimental research design with a 1-year follow-up was used to assess the effectiveness of an alternative education program in changing students' school-related attitudes, academic performance, and self-reported juvenile delinquency.
Abstract
Evaluations of alternative schools have generally revealed that these programs have failed to produce reductions in delinquent behaviors. The alternative school in this study was located in a large midwestern city and was operated by a nonprofit community organization. The youths were in grades 6 through 8 at the time they were referred to the program by teachers, principals, and guidance counselors due to their behavior problems, academic problems, or both and to their risk of becoming involved in serious criminal activity. The 83 youths studied were randomly assigned to the participation or control group. The 41 students in the participation group attended the alternative school for 1 semester and then returned to the traditional middle school. The 42 students in the control group stayed in the traditional school. The two groups had no differences before the program. The alternative program was able to produce short-term effects on grade point average, school attendance, and self-esteem, but these effects were not observed at the 1-year follow-up. Thus, the changes that occurred at the alternative school disappeared when the students returned to the traditional school. Findings suggested that a school-related program simply may not be the answer for youth with other types of problems that may contribute to their delinquent behavior. Findings also indicated the need for further studies that focus on both methodological and implementation issues of these programs. Tables and 33 references