Abstracts
Sprague,
J., Walker, H. M., Wagner, L., Stieber, S., Simonsen, B., Nishioka, V.
(in press). Exploring the Relationship Between School Discipline
Referrals and Delinquency. Psychology in the Schools: "Appraisal and
Prediction of Violence in Schools." (Special Issue).
Abstract
There is a growing concern about violent and
destructive behaviors of youth that require intervention by juvenile
justice and youth-serving agencies. This concern has led many to
conclude that schools and community agencies must increase efforts to
prevent juvenile delinquency and to provide programs that will
facilitate rehabilitation, education, and vocational training for youth
already involved. A clear understanding of the nature and range of
behaviors that result in juvenile crime is needed in order to develop
programs and interventions that can be expected to lead to beneficial
changes for youth and for society as a whole. The purpose of this
article is to describe the relationship between school behaviors and
youth characteristics in school (e.g., discipline referrals, teacher
nominations, nomothetic ratings) and referrals to juvenile authorities
(e.g., illegal behaviors). We describe a strategy of using teacher
nominations, school discipline referrals, and community arrest data to
predict delinquent and violent behavior in youth. We outline data from
a group of socially maladjusted middle school youth to illustrate the
relationship between the two data sources and recommendations for
identification and treatment of youth at risk for delinquency and
antisocial behavior.
