NCJ Number
111089
Date Published
1986
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This last in a series of reports on an evaluation of the effectiveness of Washington State's learning centers (alternative schools for juvenile offenders) provides a review of the theoretical perspective underlying the centers, an overview of the learning center programs, highlights from previous reports in the series, findings on client recidivism, and recommendations for improving the centers.
Abstract
The control theory of delinquency upon which the centers are based suggests that involvement in school activities, attachment to teachers, and commitment to education are strong factors in preventing delinquency. The primary focus of the curricula in the six centers throughout the State is basic education, but individual centers offer a variety of electives such as skills training and value clarification. Common objectives of the centers include increasing commitment to education, increasing cognitive skills, increasing academic success, improving school attendance, enhancing employability, and increasing commitment to nondelinquent behavior. An analysis of client attitudes indicates that center students did not improve significantly over a 3-month period, and as a whole, the centers did not have a significant impact on post-project offending. The Division of Juvenile Rehabilitation should re-examine center goals and increase a client's length of stay in center programs. Where possible, center students should be transferred back into traditional schools. Programs planning should consider the value of family involvement for delinquency reduction. 7 tables and 17 references. (Author summary modified)