NCJ Number
215821
Date Published
March 2006
Length
161 pages
Annotation
This is the second of two reports on the findings of two school surveys conducted to determine the effects of the "On Track" project in England and Wales, a long-term multicomponent initiative designed to assist children (and their families) at risk for offending and antisocial behavior.
Abstract
The findings from a survey of students in 20 secondary schools and students in grades seven and eight in 6 middle schools show significant and positive changes since On Track was first introduced in the schools, as 9 out of 14 key risk factors showed significant reductions. Most students (86 percent) reported being close to at least one parent, and most reported relatively high levels of supervision and consistent discipline. Most students reported positive impressions of school and that they felt safe at school. The students were generally positive about their neighborhood. Substance use/misuse reports were of concern, however, as a high proportion of youth believed that the chances of being harmed from regular cigarette smoking, drinking, and cannabis use were low. Most youth reported strong prosocial attitudes. Compared to boys, girls reported higher levels of positive responses. Approximately 11 percent of boys and 9 percent of girls were classified as "high risk." On Track, which was launched in December 1999, delivers services to high-risk children and their families through agencies that specialize in health, educational, and social services. The projects build on and link existing services and initiatives for children and families. The surveys were conducted as part of the national evaluation of On Track, Phase Two, which covers the period from March 2003 to April 2006. The questionnaire asked children and youth to self-report on a range of risk and protective factors; a total of 12,682 children participated in the survey. Extensive tables and 43 references