While anecdotal reports have strongly supported restorative practices, there is a need to expand the evidence base through empirical studies of the efficacy of these interventions. This article highlights such emerging findings reported by Paul McCold of the Institute for Restorative Practices in collaboration with researchers from Temple…

Wilderness Alternative for Youth (WAY), conducted by the Pacific Crest Outward Bound School, is a treatment program for adjudicated youth that integrates wilderness or adventure therapy with a community-based component. Participants were 115 boys and girls, aged 13-18, recommended by court counselors and screened for appropriateness by Outward…

Evaluated educational program for juveniles found guilty of driving under the influence (DUI). Of 600 juveniles convicted of DUI, 100 participated in program. Participants demonstrated increased knowledge, stronger attitudes against DUI, and less risky alcohol- and automobile-related behaviors following intervention. Class participants had…

Presents case studies of four troubled young people in the correctional system after participation in adventure courses. Case studies show that, although troubled youth may leave an adventure course with positive behaviors and good intentions, poor family interactions and negative community environments made youth unable to sustain the positive…

The usefulness of providing specific information and a progress/feedback mechanism to control utility usage in community-based, halfway houses for dependent-neglected and for delinquent adolescents was explored. The investigation was carried out in a random sample of 12 houses of an Arizona facility, divided into equivalent groups of three houses.…

This report on the Michigan Youth Services Boys Camping Program suggests substantial attitudinal and behavioral improvement for all groups of participants: achievers, predelinquents, expelled/suspended, and delinquent wards of the court. Some suggestions are included for those attempting to evaluate the effectiveness of youth programs. (Author/SJL)

An experiment randomly assigned youth workers to a training or a control group and measured the effectiveness of the training by a questionnaire given to both groups. Results of the questionnaire were related to content analysis of the training sessions, which differed in some respects from the intended content. (CTM)

Describes a group training program for teaching social skills to juveniles on probation. The program teaches eight skills: giving positive feedback, giving negative feedback, accepting negative feedback, resisting peer pressure, problem-solving, negotiation, following instructions, and conversation. An eight-month follow-up showed good retention…

The mini reviews in this collection synthesize current information regarding three timely topics in outdoor education: utilizing adventure education as a treatment mode for juvenile delinquency; providing outdoor education for the handicapped; and developing outdoor education nature centers. In "Outdoor Adventure Education and Juvenile…

Studies the effectiveness of a free-time contingency on reducing the frequency of interruptions of 28 students in a residential treatment center high class room. Implications of the findings are discussed in terms of implementation, use of peers for data collection and impact on the target behaviors. (FMW)

In 1987, Northern Arizona University's Center for Excellence in Education agreed to provide computer assisted reading instruction for juvenile delinquents experiencing academic difficulties. An interactive instructional program was used that incorporates the Principle of the Alphabet Literacy System (PALS) with the IBM InfoWindow system. PALS…

Urban Bound was begun in 1967 as an experimental two-phase program to help delinquent boys develop self-confidence and channel their energies appropriately. Phase one, a 21-day mountain program, was designed to build youth-group and youth-instructor relationships, develop self-confidence, provide an acceptable male image, promote communication,…

Procedures for using the Interactive Teaching Map to collect data and construct reliable measures of program implementation and outcomes are illustrated using data from the Delinquency Research and Development Project. Implementation analysis incorporating measures from classroom observation data can add to traditional experimental control group…

This volume presents three case studies of Teacher Corps Youth Advocacy Projects. The three projects selected represent the diversity inherent in Teacher Corps in setting, population, local education agency sites, and theoretical approach to the education of troubled youth. The focus of the study of the Arizona State University Project, which is…

Through an intensive 19 day outdoor experience of backpacking, hiking, rock climbing, and white water canoeing, the Connecticut Wilderness School has provided a novel therapeutic approach for problem youth referred by a wide variety of state agencies. To determine if participants in this program become more internally oriented, develop a higher…