Curriculum Tracking and Delinquency

Abstract

The hypothesis that placement in a noncollege curriculum track causes losses in self-esteem and increased delinquency was examined in a nationally representative, longitudinal sample of over 1600 high school boys. A status attainment perspective from the sociology of education was used to conceptualize tracking influences on delinquency suggested by delinquency theories, and path models were employed to explore various assumptions about the development of delinquency. The results did not support the findings of earlier cross-sectional and correlational research that noncollege track placement would lower self-esteem and cause delinquency. Controlling for background, ability, school attachment, self-esteem, and educational and occupational aspirations, delinquency in the senior year of high school and one year after graduation were best predicted by sophomore levels of delinquency. These results suggest that school socialization experiences occurring earlier than high school be searched for causes of delinquency among boys. (abstract Adapted from Source: American Sociological Review, 1982. Copyright © 1982 by the American Sociological Association) Educational Factors Educational Attainment Educational Aspirations Juvenile Male Juvenile Delinquency Juvenile Offender Juvenile Self-Esteem Low Self-Esteem Delinquency Causes Educational Aspirations Senior High School Student Late Adolescence Early Adolescence School Performance School Achievement Male Delinquency Male Offender Male Self-Esteem 07-02