NCJ Number
37494
Date Published
1972
Length
415 pages
Annotation
THIS IS THE STORY ABOUT AN EXPERIMENTAL SCHOOL FOR DELINQUENT BOYS IN NEW YORK'S EAST VILLAGE TOLD IN THE FORM OF INCIDENT CASE STUDIES.
Abstract
THE TEACHERS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS AT THE SCHOOL DEVISED A CURRICULUM, BASED ON THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS THEMSELVES, THAT IS, A MODEL OF CREATIVE TEACHING. THEY TAUGHT NON-READERS TO READ, CLASSROOM DISRUPTERS TO CONCENTRATE, AND IN THE PROCESS GAINED INSIGHT ABOUT ADOLESCENTS, TEACHING, AND THEMSELVES. A GROUP OF FORMERLY DRUG-TAKING, DELINQUENT BOYS- GIVEN THERAPY, INSTRUCTION, AND LOVE- STOPPED SHOOTING UP AND POPPING PILLS AND ACHIEVED A WAY OF COPING WITH LIFE. THAT THEY HAD A LONG WAY TO GO WAS EVIDENT, BUT A BEGINNING HAD BEEN MADE, AN ALTERNATIVE TO DESPAIR FOUND. NO ONE CAN READ OF THE HARD-HEADED, AFFECTIONATE CONCERN OF THE TEACHERS AND THE FRIGHTENED, FINALLY TRUSTING, COOPERATION OF THE STUDENTS AND STILL CALL THESE NINE ROTTEN LOUSY KIDS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)