NCJ Number
240821
Date Published
April 2012
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This practice guide presents information for use by corrections and child welfare officials on providing individually tailored academic and behavioral support services to youth involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.
Abstract
This guidebook is for use by corrections and child welfare officials who wish to provide academic and behavioral support services for youth involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. These academic and support services need to be individually tailored to incarcerated and at-risk youth in order to address their academic, behavioral, social, and emotional needs. These services are needed in order to break the cycle of negative educational experiences that many of these youth have while involved with the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. The guidebook begins a discussion of providing education across multiple settings: community-based traditional and alternative schools, day treatment centers, group homes, residential treatment centers, and detention and correctional facilities. Next, the guidebook presents five practices for implementing academic and behavioral support services. Practice 1 involves three strategies for collecting and using data to identify student needs and develop learning plans. Practice 2 involves four strategies for implementing procedures to ensure smooth transitions. Practice 3 involves three strategies for addressing gaps in academic skills and how to accelerate learning. Practice 4 involves four strategies for instructing students in ways that engage them in learning. Finally, Practice 5 presents four strategies for addressing behavioral and social needs to promote educational success. Figures and references