NCJ Number
76825
Date Published
1980
Length
48 pages
Annotation
A program to reduce truancy and criminal involvement among students in a middle school and a junior high school in the New Orleans, La., is evaluated.
Abstract
The program, which operated from January 1978 through May 1980, was centered in an apartment in a public housing project near the two schools. Students considered by their teachers to be truants were referred to the program. They received counseling, tutoring, and other services aimed at resolving the problems associated with truancy. The program provided services to 204 students, or just over half the number it expected to serve. All were black, over half were males, and the average age at intake was 14 years; about half were at a grade level below that appropriated for their age, and 98 percent read below the appropriate level. Students took part in the program for an average of 10 months each and received an average of 49 services. Poor parental guidance and poor regard for education were the two problems most often associated with poor attendance. Comparisons of attendance and arrests before and after involvement was reduced. Nevertheless, the program failed to serve the intended number of students and did not yield data indicating the causes of truancy and the most effective responses to it. Such information would be useful as a guide to future program development in this area. Tables and footnotes are provided. (Author abstract modified)