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EFFECTIVE DROPOUT PREVENTION PROGRAMS

NCJ Number
46752
Author(s)
M P BUCKNER
Date Published
1976
Length
14 pages
Annotation
TWO DROPOUT PREVENTION PROGRAMS WHICH HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN FIVE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, HIGH SCHOOLS WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF REDUCING DROPOUT RATES AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN THE TARGET AREAS ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE CHICAGO RECEPTION CENTER (CRC) PROJECT REPRESENTS A COOPERATIVE EFFORT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE JUVENILE DIVISION OF THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION, WHILE THE EARLY ACTION OPPORTUNITY CENTERS (EAOC) PROGRAM IS IMPLEMENTED SOLELY BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. THE EAOC GIVES PRIORITY FOR ACCEPTANCE TO POTENTIAL DROPOUTS WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, WHILE IN THE CRC PROJECT, 50 PERCENT OF THE CLIENT POPULATION ARE RETURNEES FROM A STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION OR ARE ON PROBATION FROM JUVENILE COURT. PARTICIPANTS IN THESE PROGRAMS TEND TO BE CHARACTERIZED BY UNDERACHIEVEMENT IN SCHOOL, CHRONIC TRUANCY, DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS, AND INVOLVEMENT WITH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. THESE POTENTIAL DROPOUTS ATTEND PROGRAMS ON A PART-TIME BASIS FOR REMEDIAL EDUCATION AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. WHILE PUPIL PARTICIPATION IS VOLUNTARY, PARENTAL OR PROBATION OFFICER PARTICIPATION IS REQUIRED. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF DROPOUTS AND DELINQUENTS, REDUCTION OF LEGAL ENTANGLEMENTS, DECREASED HOSTILITY, INCREASED SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT AND EMPLOYABILITY, LESS ALIENATION AND A MORE POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD SCHOOL, IMPROVED HOME-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION, AND IMPROVED UNDERSTANDING ON THE PART OF SCHOOL STAFF OF THE PROBLEMS OF DROPOUTS AND DELINQUENTS. THE CENTERS' PROGRAMS INCLUDE COUNSELING, EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND PLACEMENT, RESEARCH, AND RECREATION. THE FIVE CENTERS SERVE A TOTAL OF 300 STUDENTS. A VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES AND INSTRUMENTS ARE USED IN THE DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT AND PROGRESS EVALUATION OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. TO ACCOMPLISH THE PROGRAMS' GOALS, COORDINATION AND COOPERATION MUST WRITE HOME, THE SCHOOL, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION, THE PROGRAMS SEEK TO PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH WORK-STUDY OPPORTUNITIES WHICH WILL ENABLE THE PARTICIPANT TO REALIZE HIS FULL POTENTIAL. IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES AND MEASURES HAVE BEEN DEVISED TO EVALUATE THE PROGRAM IN TERMS OF ITS MAJOR OBJECTIVES. AN INTERIM EVALUATION SUBSTANTIATES THE ASSUMPTION THAT EDUCATION IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN JUVENILE DELINQUENCY REDUCTION AND SHOWS A REDUCTION IN RECIDIVISM AND DROPOUT RATES AMONG PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. (JAP)