ANALYSIS OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM - AN EVALUATION RESEARCH REPORT OF THE VISA PROJECT

• NCJ Number: 17489
• Author(s): G W CARTER; G R GILBERT; F D RIENOW
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 95 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Orange Cty Probation Dept
• Corporate Author: University of Southern California
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A COLLECTION OF SIX SEPARATE EVALUATION PERSPECTIVES SHOWING THAT THE PROGRAM IS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL IN HELPING YOUTH EXHIBITING PSYCHOLOGICAL, EMOTIONAL, OR SOCIAL PROBLEMS THROUGH THE USE OF COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS.

Abstract

IN THIS REPORT, DIFFERENCES IN PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS FROM JUNE 1972 TO JUNE 1973 ARE ANALYZED. IN MOST CASES, THE RESULTS INDICATED AN INCREASE IN PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS FOR 1973. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VOLUNTEERS IN DEALING WITH THE CHILD'S PROBLEMS WAS ALSO ASSESSED. THE ANALYSIS REVEALED THAT 88 PERCENT OF THE CHILDREN WERE OBSERVED BY THEIR TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, VOLUNTEERS AND PARENTS TO HAVE EXPERIENCED IMPROVED BEHAVIOR IN THE CATEGORIES FOR WHICH THEY WERE ORIGINALLY REFERRED. A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF THE OPEN ENDED RESPONSES OF THE PARENTS, PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS AND VOLUNTEERS INDICATED THAT THE VOLUNTEER IS VIEWED MORE AS A FRIEND TO THE CHILD THAN AS A PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR. A REVIEW OF POLICE RECORDS AND OTHER SOCIAL MEASURES SHOWED THAT POLICE CONTACTS WITH ELEMENTARY AGED YOUTHS IN THE PROGRAM TARGET AREAS DECREASED BY 35 PERCENT FROM 1972 TO 1973, AND THAT POLICE ARRESTS OF JUVENILES DECREASED FROM 116 IN APRIL, 1972 TO 43 IN APRIL, 1973. THE RESULTS OF INTERVIEWS WITH 14 AREA PRINCIPALS ARE REPORTED, AND THE TASKS, PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND TRAINING CONTENT ARE SUMMARIZED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE VOLUNTEERS AND SERVICE VOLUNTEERS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)