NCJ Number
133998
Journal
Educational Leadership Volume: 49 Issue: 1 Dated: (September 1991) Pages: 14-16
Date Published
1991
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Schools which provide comprehensive early intervention programs for antisocial youths and their families may save the youths from future imprisonment.
Abstract
This longitudinal study of two groups of 5th grade antisocial boys determined the possibility of predicting which of the antisocial boys would be arrested during adolescence and the factors that led to their antisocial behavior. The data indicate that three measures would have predicted the arrest record of approximately 80 percent of the boys who have been arrested to date: teacher ratings of social skills; total negative playground behavior of the boy and his playmates; and discipline contacts with the principal's office. The study also found differences in the parenting skills of the parents of the antisocial boys and a random control group of 5th grade boys. This article proposes an early home/school intervention program to prevent antisocial behavior. The program would be established and coordinated by the school. The school should monitor student behavior so the intervention process can begin as soon as a student's antisocial behavior emerges. The program would focus on parent training and assistance as well as instructional programs for students that will teach the personal, academic, and social skills required for school success. Other aspects of the program are a monitoring system that traces student performance at school and makes certain that parents know of the performance as well as a program of peer and teacher mentors who take special interest in antisocial students. 5 references