Youth returning to traditional school settings from non-traditional settings, such as alternative schools, face significant barriers to successful transition. After conducting several student focus groups with students at West40--a center in Illinois that supports students who are considered "at risk" for dropping out or have been…

Two years after the State of Illinois enacted an extensive non-exclusionary discipline reform in schools, 322 key discipline gatekeepers were surveyed about the extent and impact of the new state policy. The results showed that several core provisions of the reform had not been fully implemented or addressed through professional development.…

Two years after the State of Illinois enacted an extensive non-exclusionary discipline reform in schools, 322 key discipline gatekeepers in schools were surveyed about the extent and impact of its implementation. The results showed that a number of core provisions of the reform had not been fully implemented or addressed through professional…

The increasing need for highly-skilled employees in the workplace has policymakers and higher education leaders focused on innovative ways for students to access postsecondary education. These access points can include online programs, prior learning assessments and, the subject of this snapshot, competency-based education. The National Center for…

This paper begins to address the question--can institutions of higher learning assume homogeneity? Conversations had with returning college students, concluded that an emerging group has increased dramatically in numbers at the college level. This new student profile includes those who: are noticeably older, study part-time, work full-time, are…

An estimated 46 million adults have some college education but have not completed their degrees. For many, especially those who have accumulated several years' worth of credits, the inability to finish college remains a frustration. If the United States is to achieve its ambitious education attainment goals, many more adults with such experience…

The number of women under community-based criminal justice supervision in the U.S. has reached an all-time high. Because of this, there is an increased need for programs meant to address the unique needs of reentry women. In this article we examine a sample of 155 such programs to determine whether currently available reentry programs in the 10…

This Chapin Hall report describes findings on the extent of system involvement among Illinois youth released from correctional facilities, tracking a population of youth under age 18 in Illinois following their release. Using administrative records, researchers develop profiles of reentry experiences across the many systems that serve youth and…

A significant proportion of the US young people are currently involved in the juvenile justice system. Of all youth in the United States, approximately 21% suffer from a diagnosable mental or substance use disorder that causes at least minimal impairment. This estimate is likely 2-3 times higher for youth who enter the juvenile justice system. A…

This study examined the form and availability of alternative education programs in suburban Cook County, Illinois, public secondary schools. Alternative education was defined as any special program that is directed to specific academic, emotional, and/or work training needs of students. A survey was submitted to school districts to gather…

This paper reports on a study of high school dropouts ages 16-24 in a rural county in Illinois. Specifically, the study reports on descriptive data pertaining to high school dropouts, focusing on those who chose to return to education; changes in student views and perceptions regarding education; and efforts by the school system to encourage…