Author(s): The Council of State Governments Justice Center
- Josh Weber – Author
- Rebecca Cohen – Research and Data Analysis
Published: Sept. 16, 2020
Report Intro/Brief:
Over the last decade, states and counties have reconsidered many of the ways that juvenile justice systems have traditionally operated. Yet most jurisdictions have not questioned whether the system should take on education-related responsibilities and hold youth accountable if they fail to comply.
This brief summarizes key findings from an unprecedented research study conducted by The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center on the impact of juvenile justice system involvement—particularly probation— on school attendance in South Carolina and challenges jurisdictions across the country—as well as the broader field—to reconsider whether system involvement is the most appropriate and effective way to promote youth’s school success.
Key Findings:
- In the school year prior to system involvement, diverted youth and youth on probation missed an average of 26 and 42 days of school, respectively.
- On average, the school attendance of youth who were diverted or placed on probation declined in the first year of their system involvement.
- There was no significant difference in attendance between youth specifically mandated by the court to comply with a school attendance order and their peers who were not.
- Older youth experienced significantly greater attendance declines during their first year of system involvement than their younger peers.”
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