Challenges Facing Black Juvenile Offenders: Understanding Maltreatment and Academic Outcomes

• In Event: The Role of Race/Ethnicity in Juvenile Justice

Abstract

In order to improve our knowledge on how system involvement impacts academic outcomes, this study examined gender and racial differences in the association between different patterns of system involvement (i.e., child welfare only, juvenile justice system only, and crossover/dual involvement) and academic outcomes (i.e., grade failure, chronic absenteeism). This study utilized records from a linked database of public youth-serving institutional records within a southern county Youth Court, Law Enforcement agencies, and Child Protective Services (CPS). A series of multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. A history of involvement in CPS only was associated with higher odds of grade failure and chronic absenteeism in males, but not females. CPS involvement only and dual involvement each increased the odds of grade failure and chronic absenteeism in Black youth, but not White youth. Juvenile justice system involvement only was a significant predictor of grade failure and chronic absenteeism regardless of gender and race. Findings highlight the need for the development of intervention strategies to address educational needs of youth involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, with a heightened attention to Black and male youth, to improve their attendance and academic performance.

Authors

• Camille Renee Quinn, The Ohio State University

• Angela Robertson, Mississippi State University

• Susan Yoon, The Ohio State University