An Assessment of an Alternative Education Program for At-Risk Delinquent Youth

Abstract

Evaluations of alternative schools have generally found that these programs have failed to produce positive evidence of effectiveness in reducing delinquent behaviors. Using an experimental design with a one-year follow-up, the present study assessed the effectiveness of one alternative education program in changing students' school-related attitudes, academic performance, and self-reported delinquency. The study found that the program was able to produce short-term effects on grade point average, school attendance, and self-esteem. These effects were not observed at the one-year follow-up. The conclusions focus on the need for more rigorous research that focuses on program implementation issues.