NCJ Number
31197
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1975) Pages: 339-345
Date Published
1975
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE AUTHOR REVIEWS THE FAILURE OF SCHOOLS IN DEALING WITH PROBLEMS OF YOUTHS VULNERABLE TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT, AND QUESTIONS THE EFFICACY OF STRESSING EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES FOR REMEDYING DELINQUENCY.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR NOTES THAT THE SCHOOL'S APPROACHES TO DELINQUENCY PREVENTION ARE IMPEDED BY INADEQUATE ALLOCATION OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND INADEQUATE CAPACITY TO ACHIEVE SIGNIFICANTLY NEW GOALS FOR EDUCATION. HE STATES THAT THE INCREMENTAL GAIN FROM EVEN A RADICAL REDISTRIBUTION OF INVESTMENT IN SCHOOLS IS LIKELY TO BE SMALL IN RELATION TO THE ROOT PROBLEMS OF EITHER POVERTY OR EXCESSIVE INVOLVEMENT OF LOW-INCOME YOUTH IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. OTHER FACTORS INTERVENE BETWEEN EDUCATION AND INCOME OR EDUCATION AND DELINQUENCY THAT MITIGATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN EDUCATIONAL STRATEGY. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT YOUTHS SHOULD BE PRESENTED WITH ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF ENTRY - OTHER THAN SCHOOLS - INTO THE OCCUPATIONAL WORLD. THE AUTHOR ALSO RECOMMENDS A LIMITED DECRIMINALIZATION OF SCHOOL NONATTENDANCE TO AVOID PENALIZING THOSE YOUTHS WHO HAVE NO INTEREST IN SCHOOL. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)