NCJ Number
56068
Journal
Corrective and Social Psychiatry and Journal of Behavior Technology Methods and Therapy Volume: 25 Issue: 1 Dated: (1979) Pages: 21-24
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A CASE STUDY INVOLVING THE CORRECTION OF SCHOOL TRUANCY AND ACADEMIC FAILURE IN A 14-YEAR-OLD DELINQUENT MALE IS REPORTED.
Abstract
THE SUBJECT WAS AN EIGHTH-GRADE STUDENT ATTENDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHILE LIVING IN A HALFWAY HOUSE FOR JUVENILE DELINQUENTS, WHERE HE HAD BEEN PLACED BY PROBATIONAL AUTHORITIES FOR ACADEMIC FAILURE, HABITUAL TRUANCY, AND BEING BEYOND CONTROL OF HIS PARENTS. THE SUBJECT HAD BEEN EXPELLED FROM SCHOOL FOR 5 DAYS FOR TRUANCY AND ACADEMIC FAILURE. TO PREVENT THE SUBJECT'S BEING SENT TO REFORM SCHOOL, A THREE-PART EXPERIMENT WAS UNDERTAKEN: (1) THE SUBJECT WAS PROVIDED WITH TUTORING ASSISTANCE WITH HOMEWORK AND CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS, (2) A CONTRACT WAS DRAWN UP THROUGH WHICH THE SUBJECT COULD EARN TANGIBLE REINFORCERS BY ENGAGING IN DEFINED ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES, AND (3) AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SUBJECT AND THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL WAS ARRANGED WHEREBY THE SUBJECT EXPLAINED HIS REASON FOR BEING TRUANT PRIOR TO BEING TRUANT. THE TREATMENT LASTED FOR ONE 9-WEEK GRADING PERIOD, DURING WHICH THE SUBJECT'S TRUANCY DECREASED TO ZERO AND HIS GRADES IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY. FOLLOWUP CONTACTS OVER THREE GRADING PERIODS INDICATED THAT IMPROVEMENTS IN BOTH BEHAVIORS CONTINUED. THE POSITIVE EFFECT OF THE TREATMENT LED TO THE SUBJECT'S RETURN HOME 2 MONTHS EARLIER THAN HAD BEEN PLANNED. SUPPORTING DATA AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. INCLUDED. (LKM)