North Carolina's Alternative Learning Programs: An Evaluation of Juvenile Structured Day Programs for Suspended and Expelled Youth

• NCJ Number: 198388
• Author(s): Douglas L. Yearwood; Jibril Abdum-Muhaymin; Patti Jordan
• Date Published: September 2002
• Length: 46 pages
• Corporate Author: North Carolina Criminal Justice Analysis Ctr
• Sale Source: North Carolina Criminal Justice Analysis Ctr
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program Description (Demonstrative)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report describes North Carolina's Alternative Learning Programs, an evaluation of Juvenile Structured Day Programs for Suspended and Expelled Youth.

Abstract

Juvenile structured day programs (JSDPs) are designed to offer programs to expelled and suspended youth and who are sanctioned by the courts. The programs are part of a community corrections and juvenile rehabilitative effort. Survey findings indicate that the state's JSDPs are providing services to a growing number of suspended/expelled students. This number is expected to increase as more of the newer JSDPs become fully operational and expand their capacities. Cost-benefit analyses reveal that JSDPs are beneficial for effectively bridging the gap between suspension/expulsion and reintegration back into the public school. Successful graduation, as a result of JSDP attendance, produces far more benefits for both the student and society than associated costs. Policy recommendations to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of these programs include: increase JSDP funding, expand sites and capacities, increase staff, fully automate JSDP student information systems, and increase transportation alternatives. Figures, references, appendices