Evaluation and Case Study of a School-Based Delinquency Prevention Program

Abstract

The Program emphasized ounseling and advocacy for returnees from correctional insti tutions. Grades, attendance, offenses, and institutionalization were compared for 66 E returnees to Advocate-served schoot-attendance areas and 40 C returnees to non-Advocate areas Both groups showed similar community-adjustment gains and school-adjustment dec lines. At study 's end. how ever, Es more than Cs were school-enrolled (often in "alterna tive schools") and outside institutions (p < 05) The Program probably had a small post tive impact on delinquents. Suggested Program improvements include policy changes, greater Advocate "follow-through." and greater attention to returnee anxiety differences The Program's 1972-1976 development was guided by funding availabylity, Advocate- administrator relations, and lobbying effectiveness, not by evaluations