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Comparison of the Educational Deficiencies of Delinquent and Nondelinquent Students

NCJ Number
223250
Journal
Evaluation Review: A Journal of Applied Social Research Volume: 29 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2005 Pages: 291-312
Author(s)
Xia Wang; Thomas G. Blomberg; Spencer D. Li
Date Published
August 2005
Length
22 pages
Annotation
In an effort to address some of the identified methodological limitations of prior studies, this study assessed differences in the educational deficiencies (academic underachievement, poor attendance, and disciplinary problems) between a statewide sample of 5,187 delinquent students and 5,187 nondelinquent students, while controlling for a host of individual-level and school-level variables.
Abstract
The findings show that delinquent students suffered from disproportionate educational deficiencies compared to nondelinquent students. Delinquent students were significantly more likely to have lower grade point averages, poorer attendance records, be retained more often in the same grade, and receive more disciplinary actions. These differences in educational deficiencies could not be explained by differences in individual-level and school-level variables of age, race, gender, socioeconomic status, or the individual school. Given these findings, it is important to identify students who are beginning to show disproportionate educational deficiencies and implement responsive corrective strategies. This may include the use of more effective instruction methods tailored to student needs as well as more effective classroom management approaches. Also, disciplinary methods should be examined, in order to ensure that they are designed to improve school performance rather than undermine it, which is the case when students are suspended from school. Study data were obtained from the Florida Department of Education. They pertained to students enrolled in all public schools and Florida Department of Juvenile Justice schools. Relevant data were obtained for the school years 1999-2000 and 2000-2001. The delinquent and nondelinquent students were matched by age, race, gender, socioeconomic status, and school type. The study controlled for variables that have been identified as significant correlates of juvenile delinquency or educational deficiencies in previous research. 7 tables and 68 references