School-Based Delinquency Interventions: Are They Needed and How Might They Work?

• In Event: School and Court Responses to Delinquent Youth

Abstract

Many youth in schools may be under some form of juvenile justice system control and might benefit from assistance. Yet, little systematic attention has been given to determining whether school-based interventions to assist delinquent youth are in fact needed and how effective they are, or might be, in promoting improved educational and delinquency outcomes. The present paper serves to fill this void in the existing literature. In this paper, we examine the need for school-based delinquency interventions, the theoretical logic behind them, and the potential barriers to and facilitators of implementing a school-based intervention for delinquent youth. In addition, we examine the potential effectiveness of such interventions, and the conditions that likely must be met for them to be effective. We then discuss important next steps for policy, practice, and research.

Authors

• Nicole L. Collier, Florida State University

• Daniel P. Mears, Florida State University

• George B. Pesta, Florida State University

• Sonja E. Siennick, Florida State University

• Andrea M. Lindsey, Florida State University

• Peter S. Lehmann, Florida State University