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Thinking Exit at Entry: Exploring Outcomes of Georgia's Juvenile Justice Educational Programs

NCJ Number
228738
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 60 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2009 Pages: 225-239
Author(s)
Ed Risier Ph.D.; Tom O'Rourke Ed.D.
Date Published
September 2009
Length
15 pages
Annotation
After presenting an overview of the educational programs offered in correctional facilities operated by the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (GA-DJJ), this article presents the findings of a follow-up study of the outcomes for a cohort of youth who completed an educational program and received either a high school diploma, a special education diploma, or a general equivalency diploma (GED).
Abstract
Educational programs offered to Georgia youth in confinement focus on the development of literacy and functional skills for youth with cognitive, behavioral, or learning difficulties, as well as academic and vocational courses that meet the Georgia Department of Education's standard for a high school diploma or GED. The educational program uses a student transition model to guide the development of the youth's service plan. The guiding philosophy of the GA-DJJ's Office of Education is "Think Exit at Entry." A study of 100 youth who had earned a special education diploma, a high school diploma, or a GED in 1 of 5 long-term Georgia correctional facilities found that there were many factors other than educational attainment that impacted a youth's successful re-entry into the community. The data suggest that once youths are released from confinement, there can be systemic barriers in the community that present significant challenges for them; for example, even though only 18 of the youth were known to have committed a new offense, 10 of these youth were from the most economically disadvantaged area of the State. Only 29 of the youth in the total sample were employed, and only 9 had entered an educational program upon return to the community. This finding indicates the need for improved coordination between GA-DJJ and schools, community agencies, and local businesses. 4 tables and 16 references