NCJ Number
65164
Journal
Journal of Offender Counseling, Services and Rehabilitation Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (WINTER 1979) Pages: 95-108
Date Published
1979
Length
14 pages
Annotation
A GROUP DYNAMICS CONSULTANT WHO HEADED A TEAM EFFORT IN AN INTENSIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR 24 VIOLENT AND 'UNEDUCABLE' JUVENILE OFFENDERS DISCUSSES SCHOOL CRIME, EDUCATORS' REACTIONS, AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION.
Abstract
MORE THAN $600,000 IS SPENT ANNUALLY TO REPAIR SCHOOL DAMAGE DUE TO VANDALISM. EDUCATORS HAVE RESPONDED TO THE INCREASING VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS BY AMASSING AN ARSENAL OF BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION AND THOUGHT CONTROL WEAPONS, ADVOCATING A RETURN TO THE OPPRESSIVE ATMOSPHERE OF THE 1800'S, AND LABELING AND MEDICATING STUDENTS. TOMORROW'S CONTROL TECHNOLOGY MAY INCLUDE TWO-WAY WRIST RADIOS, A VIDEOTAPE MONITORING SYSTEM, TELEMETRY, AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY. TO AVOID THIS TERRIFYING SITUATION, EDUCATIONAL REFORMS MUST AIM AT ENLARGING THE OVERALL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT TO INCLUDE THE NURTURING OF STUDENT'S INNATE ENDOWMENTS AND TALENTS. THE AUTHOR'S EXPERIENCE WITH THE 24 DELINQUENTS, ORDERED BY THE COURT TO REMAIN IN SCHOOL AND THRIVE OR BE INCARCERATED, DEMONSTRATES THESE STUDENTS' NEED TO HAVE A SAY IN THEIR OWN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE, FEEL THAT THEY ARE TRULY CARED FOR, BE CONFRONTED WITH THE ACTUAL RESULTS OF THEIR DEVIANT ACTIONS, AND BE GIVEN GREAT AMOUNTS OF TOLERANCE FOR, AS WELL AS SPECIFIC LIMITATIONS TO, THEIR BEHAVIOR AND A SENSE OF ACCOUNTABILITY. THE TEAM, TWO TEACHERS, A PROBATION OFFICER, COMMUNITY WORKERS, AND THE AUTHOR, INITIALLY GAINED RESPECT BY STOICALLY ENDURING ABUSE FROM THE CHILDREN, REFUSING TO LET THE BEHAVIOR INTERFERE WITH THEIR PROGRAM, AND THEN CHALLENGING THE CHILDREN TO A CONTEST OF SKILLS AT WHICH THE CHILDREN DOMINATED, IN THIS CASE BASKETBALL. CLEAR AND STRICT RULES OF BEHAVIOR, INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING PROGRAMS, AND INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION WERE KEYS TO THE SUCCESSFUL PROJECT. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (AOP)