NCJ Number
45972
Date Published
1977
Length
76 pages
Annotation
THE FINAL REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE LAPUENTE SCHOOL PROGRAM IS PROVIDED, PRESENTING RELATED INFORMATION, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND STATISTICS.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM OPERATED AS AN ALTERNATIVE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL FOR 114 MULTIPLE OFFENDERS AND PREADJUDICATED JUVENILES WHO WERE REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM FROM THE DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE NORTHWEST DENVER YOUTH SERVICES BUREAU. STUDENTS WERE EVALUATED TO DETERMINE THEIR ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL SKILLS. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM WAS TO REDUCE THE REARREST RATE FOR THE PUPILS BY 20 PERCENT THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. THIS WOULD BE ACHIEVED BY PROVIDING REMEDIAL EDUCATION, TREATMENT SUPERVISION, AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGE PROGRAMS IN AN OPEN SCHOOL FACILITY. THE JUVENILES WERE REQUIRED TO BE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 16 AND AT LEAST 2 YEARS BEHIND THEIR GRADE LEVEL IN READING AND MATHEMATICS. NINETY-FIVE STUDENTS, OR EIGHTY-THREE PERCENT, WERE CHICANOS. THERE WERE SIX TEACHERS IN THE PROGRAM. THE STUDY INCLUDED MULTIPLE TABLES ANALYZING MEDIAN AGE, ETHNIC BREAKDOWN, SCHOOL GRADE, FAMILY BREAKDOWN, ARREST RECORD, AND STUDENT'S HOME SCHOOL. THE PROGRAM HAD A POSITIVE EFFECT IN REDUCING THE REARREST RATE; THERE WAS A 34 PERCENT REDUCTION IN REARRESTS FOR THE JUVENILES. THIS WAS 14 PERCENT BETTER THAN PREDICTED. INCREASED ATTENDANCE WAS ACCOMPLISHED, PARTICULARLY ON DAYS WHEN FIELD TRIPS OR SPECIAL ACTIVITIES WERE PLANNED. ALSO, ATTENDANCE INCREASED FOR THOSE STUDENTS WHO WERE PARTICIPATING IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. BUDGETARY PROBLEMS AND DIFFICULTIES WITH ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ARE DISCUSSED. (AJJ)