NCJ Number
58776
Date Published
1978
Length
23 pages
Annotation
APPROACHES TAKEN BY SCHOOLS TO MEETING THE NEEDS OF YOUTHS RELEASED FROM JUVENILE INSTITUTIONS OR ON PROBATION ARE DISCUSSED, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE ROLE OF THE PARAPROFESSIONAL IN THIS AREA.
Abstract
THE YOUTH WHO RETURNS TO SCHOOL AFTER A PERIOD OF CONFINEMENT OR UNDER OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVING JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM INTERVENTION FACES SPECIAL PROBLEMS OF ADJUSTMENT. SOME EDUCATORS HAVE TAKEN THE POSITION THAT SCHOOLS SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO DEAL WITH INCORRIGIBLE YOUTHS. HOWEVER, MANY PROFESSIONALS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE, SOCIAL SERVICE, AND EDUCATION SYSTEMS HAVE RECOGNIZED THAT YOUTHS WHO ARE DELINQUENT, DELINQUENCY PRONE, OR SOCIALLY MALADJUSTED REQUIRE SPECIAL ATTENTION TO PREVENT LEARNING PROBLEMS AND LACK OF MOTIVATION FROM BREEDING PERPETUAL HOSTILITY AND REBELLION TOWARD ALL ADULTS, INCLUDING SCHOOL AUTHORITIES. SUCH SPECIAL ATTENTION TENDS TO BE EXPENSIVE. A VARIETY OF APPROACHES--TRAINING SCHOOLS, WORK EXPERIENCE, HALFWAY HOUSES, VOLUNTEER PROBATION AIDES, INTERAGENCY COOPERATION, JUVENILE COURT-DIRECTED SERVICES, SPECIAL CLASSES--HAVE BEEN TRIED, BUT NO SINGLE APPROACH HAS PROVED SUCCESSFUL. THE USE OF PARAPROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE THE ONE-TO-ONE CONTACT NEEDED BY STUDENTS WITH BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS APPEARS TO HOLD PROMISE. IN THE KERN COUNTY, CALIF., SCHOOL SYSTEM PARAPROFESSIONAL TUTORS WERE HIRED TO PROVIDE DIRECTION AND COUNSELING FOR YOUTHS RELEASED FROM CALIFORNIA YOUTH AUTHORITY INSTITUTIONS. THE KERN COUNTY PROGRAM ALSO INVOLVED COOPERATION BETWEEN THE SCHOOLS AND PROBATION AUTHORITIES, WHO PROVIDED LIAISON WITH YOUTHS BEFORE AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER RELEASE. A LIST OF REFERENCE IS INCLUDED. (LKM)