From the Courthouse to the Schoolhouse: Making Successful Transitions

A number of significant and innovative programs and strategies have been developed for helping delinquent youth re-enter the education mainstream. Foremost is the trend toward improving communication among all of the agencies and other entities involved in helping these youth develop and achieve positive goals. Communities must forge partnerships among public and private youth-serving agencies to provide a continuum of treatment and aftercare services for juvenile offenders and their families. Education services provided to juvenile offenders, both within juvenile correctional facilities and outside in the community schools, must reflect current education philosophy, curriculum content development, and instructional techniques. Instruction must be relevant to these students' interests and needs and must allow them to make connections to real-life situations. They also need job skills training to prepare them for future employment. This Bulletin includes descriptions of existing programs that provide transitional support for leaving confinement, transitional educational placements, school enrollment, mentoring, and school-based probation. 23 notes