A token point economy was established at a residential facility for adolescent boys adjudicated either pre-delinquent or delinquent. Points were awarded for positive target behaviors and points subtracted from target behaviors defined as negative. Points earned could be exchanged for such bac1up reinforcers as off-campus activities, snacks, telephone calls, etc. Results indicated a vast improvement on contingent behaviors such as fighting, foul language, destruction of property, behavior in the classroom, and cottages. In addition, there was an indication of improvement in more global areas such as attitudes and communication. The overall running of the residential program appeared smoother. The token point economy facilitated an improvement of the more traditional types of ongoing therapy. It offered a common reference point of what was expected of the resident's behavior.

No description available.

Teaching incarcerated adolescents can be challenging for teachers to gain students' attention while strengthening their character as part of their rehabilitation and re-socilizaton process.

Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to research the establisment of a culture of learning in a childcare school. The appeal by the government of the establisment of a culture of learning, serves as background to this study. This appeal implies a change of attitude by both learners and educators with regard to the learning and teaching process. The objective of this change is to prioritize learning and teaching in schools. This will enable learners to effectively develope intelectually, personally and socially. The feasibility to transform the school to a learning organization , is being researched. In a learning organization , learning is being internalised. Transformation to a learning organization will ensure that the school keeps pace with, and make the neccesary adjustments relative to the change. In achieving the transformation to a learning organization, such a school can be sure that learning and teaching will remain a top priority. This study is a situational analysis of a childcare school, which requested to remain anonymous. This analysis clearly expose the lack of a culture of learning at this school, due to the cultural bagage of the learners, which are manifested in serious behavioral problems, and which in turn prevent an effective learning prosess. The behavioral problems impede an the educators abillity to teach effevtively. It leads to high stress levels and a low morale. It is very clear that this situation can only be remedied if the behavioral problems of the learners are effectively dealt with. The study begins with identifying the problems and setting the questions for research. In the ensuring chapters, a study of the literature, a situational analysis and proposed programme to establish a culture of learning, follows. The proposed programme, amongst others, put forward a strategy to eliminate the behavioral problems of learners as well as reducing the stress-levels of the educators. It uniformaly focusses on the role of the prinicipal in obviating the said encumbrances, and the transformation to a learning organization. The programme includes a comprehensive discussion of strategic planning as an instrument In establishing a culture of learning and transformation to a learning organization. The programme can possibly serve as a guideline for schools which accommodate large numbers oflearners with serious behavioral problems. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die vestiging van 'n leerkultuur in 'n kinderhuisskool is in hierdie studie ondersoek. Die studie is onderneem teen die agtergrond van die regenng se oproep om 'n leerkultuur in ons skole te vestig. Hierdie oproep impliseer 'n verandering in leerders en onderwysers se ingesteldheid ten opsigte van leer en onderwys. Hierdie verandering het dit ten doel dat leer en onderrig prioriteit in skole sal geniet. Die moontlikheid om die skool in 'n lerende organisasie te transformeer word ondersoek. In 'n lerende organisasie word leer geïnternaliseer. Transformasie na 'n lerende organisasie sal verseker dat die skool tred hou met verandering en die nodige koersaanpassings maak. Indien 'n skool daarin kan slaag om tot 'n lerende organisasie te transformeer sal dit verseker dat leer en onderrig altyd prioriteit by die skool sal bly. Hierdie studie is 'n situasie-analise van 'n kindershuisskool, wie op versoek anoniem wil bly. Vanuit die situasie-analise blyk dit duidelik dat daar nie 'n leerkultuur in die skool aanwesig is nie. Die leerders se kulturele bagasie, wat uitdrukking vind in ernstige gedragsprobleme, verhoed dat effektiewe leer plaasvind. Die gedragsprobleme kortwiek die onderwysers se werkverrigting aangesien dit aanleiding gee tot hoë stresvlakke en dus 'n lae moraal. Dit blyk baie duidelik dat dit slegs moontlik sal wees om 'n leerkultuur te vestig indien die leerders se gedragsprobleme effektief aangespreek kan word. Die studie begin deur die probleem en navorsingsvrae te stel. Die volgende hoofstukke behels 'n studie van die literatuur, die situasie-analise en 'n voorgestelde program om 'n leerkultuur in die skool te vestig. Die voorgestelde program doen, onder andere, strategieë aan die hand om die leerders se gedragsprobleme te elimineer en om die onderwysers se stresvlakke te laat daal. Dit fokus deurgaans op die prinsipaal se rol in die uitskakeling van bogenoemde hindernisse en sy rol in die vestiging van 'n leerkultuur en die transformering na 'n lerende organisasie. Die program sluit 'n volledige bespreking van strategiese beplanning as instrument in die vestiging van 'n leerkultuur en die transformering na 'n lerende organisasie in. Die program kan moontlik as riglyn dien vir skole wie groot getalle leerders met gedragsprobleme huisves.

This project involved an analysis of the theoretical foundations for Indianapolis Prep; an alternative school for about 50 students ages 14 to 18 years who are on probation with the Juvenile Court of Marion County, Indiana. The accepted purpose of Indianapolis Prep is to prepare students to make a successful transition from the Juvenile Center through a transition academy and through a semester of success in a regular high school to high school graduation. For the population involved, the traditional path to a high school diploma is not viewed as the best alternative.Indianapolis Prep is part of the national “Cities in Schools” project; a project which appears to have the potential for making a substantial impact on the future direction of American education.The outcomes of the project were documented in various forms since the traditional format of preparing one large piece of writing with an introduction and a conclusion was inadequate. The process of the study served as an effective means for shaping the documentation of outcomes. The writer kept a journal of observations of Indianapolis Prep as well as one on reflections regarding her participation in the school. Compiling these writings into a summary produced an interesting anecdotal document of Indy Prep’s development in theory and in practice. This anecdotal record developed into an anthology of choice writings, proposals, reports, and poems and prose, all narrated and tied together with summarized journal writings.The following components were included in the creative project report:A statement of the creative project.A handout used by the “Cities in Schools” project to introduce and explain Propinquity, and organizational concept of interagency services.A description of the plan, implementation, and outcomes of the Sophomore Academy, a forerunner to Indy Prep.Examples of students’ poems and prose as well as writings of the investigator.An evaluative report of Indy Prep’s participation in the Ball State University staff development project. This report was compiled from observations, interviews, and notes on weekly SDP conferences and meetings, as well as information from monthly Ball State conducted workshops. Examples of contracts developed through the staff development program were included.A component of several essays in which thoughts and theories derived from various readings along with the writer’s experiences and study of Indy Prep were formulated and/or systematically organized.The final component was a bibliography of readings.

A review of the literature indicated that critical skills needed by educators to work with adjudicated youth in correctional settings had not been sufficiently identified or analyzed. Research efforts using survey instruments appeared to offer a method for gathering data in order to develop and study a comprehensive list of critical skills of correctional educators. A survey instrument was developed in bifurcate format that required respondents to rate 135 skill items according to Importance and Proficiency. Two parallel Likert-type scales were provided so that respondents could rate items according to their perceptions of Importance and Proficiency, The instrument was mailed to three groups consisting of educators in youth correctional facilities, state level administrators of youth corrections, and college/university faculty in correctional education preservice teacher preparation programs. A total of 366 surveys were mailed with 183 (50%) returned. Four hypotheses and eight corollaries were developed. Data were analyzed using MANOVA to test for significant differences among all groups and within subjects for one group (correctional educators). The findings did not support the hypotheses or corollaries. Therefore, all hypotheses and corollaries were rejected. However, ANOVA and Chi-Square procedures revealed significant differences among groups and within Group 1, correctional educators. The findings suggested that educators tended to differ from state level administrators in regard to Importance and Proficiency for certain skill items. Differences were also found within the correctional educator group nationwide and across regions for certain skill items. Recommendations for correctional education preservice programs and state level inservice training programs were developed that may have importance for the education of adjudicated youth. Recommendations included an emphasis upon federal legislative guidelines for education of incarcerated youth, development of educator's skills in communication and interaction with facility administrators, parents, and local community agencies, and inclusion of vocational/career development and transitional programs in correctional settings. Additional specific recommendations were given relevant to future research with correctional educator competencies.

D.Ed. (Psychology Of Education) / The writer's personal experience as educational adviser at a TED aid centre shows that theft amongst children often occurs. Of significance is the frequency of theft occuring in younger children. Statistics obtained from the Central Statistics Service show that theft amongst children in South Africa is reaching alarming proportions. Theft is one of the misdemanours of a child that is commonly not handled pedagogically correctly by the parent It may well be that people steal due to a physical need, however, the reason for theft by children is more complex and profound than mere physical need. Before therapeutic action can be taken, it is imperative that some attempt be made to get to know the child better. This study includes a literature study as well as an empirical investigati m. Within the framework of the literature study, an attempt is made to gain perspective on the problem of theft by children. Attention is given to information obtained from literature pertaining to tl e child who steals in respect of contributory causes: personality theory, learning theories and personality development theories; a short discussion of the child in the senior primary and junior secondary school phases; as well as the treatment of the child who steals. The empirical investigation includes the pedo- and psycho-diagnostic testing of a number of children that steal. By means of case studies an attempt is made to uncover those factors that cause these children to steal. For this purpose school children in the senior primary and junior secondary school phases who had been reported to TED aid centres on the East Rand for theft behaviour were included in this investigation. Information was obtained by using the form which is completed upon reporting to the centre; the results of selective tests; interviews with the child's parents or custodians; and discussion with the child himself or herself. The analysis of the case studies is largely qualitative, although it includes quantitive facets as well...

No description available.

Public Law 94-142, The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, mandates that all handicapped children, including those housed in correctional facilities, receive special education and related services as required by the law. Literature has suggested that services are not being provided as mandated. Factors inherent in correctional education and/or unclear, absent or conflicting policies of multiple agencies sharing responsibilities for incarcerated handicapped youth may inhibit delivery of special education and related services as required by federal and state regulations. Through interviews with personnel of the Virginia Rehabilitative School Authority (RSA) and examination of policies of the RSA, the Virginia Department of Education Office of Special and Compensatory Education (SEA), and the Virginia Department of Corrections, three questions were addressed: (1) What are the processes used by the RSA to implement SEA regulations governing the education of handicapped children? (2) What are the factors which affect the implementation of delivery of special education and related services as perceived by RSA personnel? (3) Are absent, unclear or conflicting policies of agencies (SEA, DOC, RSA) related to the provision of mandated services to incarcerated handicapped youth? It was found that state regulations were not fully addressed by RSA processes and that processes being implemented did not comply totally with state regulations. Factors found to inhibit the development and implementation of processes within state regulations included the precedence of DOC custody and treatment considerations over educational concerns, inadequate numbers of special education personnel, paucity of placement options within youth school programs and outside of the correctional setting, and inadequate training of DOC and RSA personnel in preparation for special education responsibilities. Absence of SEA policy relating to assignment of surrogate parents and absence of local and state agencies' policies addressing transfer of student information restrained development and conduct of required procedures. Conflict between policy foci of the DOC and RSA was a primary contributor to special education procedural and programmatic limitations. / Ed. D.

The purpose of this investigation was to develop a descriptive profile of both adjudicated and nonadjudicated adolescents educated in a juvenile center/school for delinquent and/or maladapted youth in order to (a) disclose the characteristics of the contemporary adolescent delinquent educated in a community based facility with both day and residential components, (b) discern any differences in demographic data, scholastic data, handicapping conditions, and delinquent behaviors among handicapped and nonhandicapped adolescents with delinquent or maladaptive behaviors, and (c) discover the prevalence by types of handicaps exhibited by this population since the implementation of Public Law 94-142. The subjects for the study were 102 adolescents educated in a juvenile center/school during September 1, 1981, through August 31, 1982.