Poster #71 - Juvenile Youth Reentry and Educational Equity

• In Event: Saturday Poster Luncheon

Abstract

This policy analysis critically examines the intersection of juvenile justice involvement and educational equity, with a particular focus on marginalized youth aged 14 - 18 in Texas who have experienced extended detention. Despite national reforms in youth justice, reentry into traditional educational systems remains fragmented, under-resourced, and inequitable. Black and brown youth are disproportionately affected, facing structural barriers that significantly impede successful reintergration into school environments. These barriers include racial bias, socioeconomic instability, and exclusionary school practices. Data from the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) reveal that approximately 65% of justice-involved youth fail to complete highschool (TJJD,2020), and fewer than 10% enroll in post secondary institutions (Texas Appleseed,2023) which correlates strongly with reduced lifetime earnings and elevated risks of recidivism. 

The research critiques the lack of federal oversight and the failure of state-level agencies, particularly the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), to uphold the National Conference of State Legislatures' (NCSL) Juvenile Justice Principles (Teigen, 2018). It draws on national datasets (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022; RAND Corporation, 2018) to demonstrate the long-term economic impact of educational exclusion: individuals without a high school diploma earn 30% less over their lifetime are significantly more likely to reoffend. 

To address these defencies, this poster will present a triad of interdependent policy interventions: (1) individualized trauma-informed transition plans beginning during incarceration and extending post-release, (2) interoperable data systems that allow consistent academic and behavioral tracking across institutions, and (3) increased equity-centered funding at state and federal levels to support culturally responsive and evidence-based reentry programs. These reforms are designed to reduce drop-out rates, improve postsecondary enrollment. And promote long-term economic mobility for justice-involved youth. 

Overall the research will contribute to the growing body of policy discourse while advocating for educational continuity as a cornerstone of rehabilitative justice. It offers actionable, data-driven solutions aimed at closing opportunity gaps and dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline, issues that demand urgent attention from policymakers, educators, and scholars.

Author

• Jade E Miller, Southern Methodist University
  Presenting Author