ERIC Number: ED269210
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1981-Oct-2
Pages: 29
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Experiential Education as an Integral Part of Day Treatment for Adjudicated Delinquent Youth.
Gaus, Charles
The role of experiential education is the focus of this paper describing the treatment program at De La Salle Vocational, a day vocational high school for adjudicated delinquent youth. The paper begins by discussing the characteristics and needs of the students and describing the Off-Campus Program, a 3-year research model designed to address the students' need for life skills. Four off-campus, experience-based learning modules are explained: (1) stress/challenge courses adapted from Outward Bound; (2) service learning courses based on the work of the National Commission of Resources for Youth and the National Student Volunteer Program; (3) adventure learning courses combining active experiences with traditional subject areas; and (4) community based learning that combines intensive study of one topic area while interacting in the community. The overall treatment program is illustrated through the example of a fictitious student named Rich whose experiences are used to demonstrate the integration of academic and vocational skills with experiential learning. The final part of the paper reports preliminary findings of the project evaluation, which show significant changes in both drug use and legal involvement following the treatment program. Pre- and post-treatment results are discussed for frequency of drug use, number of arrests, interpersonal maturity, family roles, self-esteem, and school problems. A list of selected references is provided. (JHZ)
Descriptors: Adventure Education, Attitude Measures, Day Programs, Delinquency, Delinquent Rehabilitation, Demonstration Programs, Experiential Learning, Field Experience Programs, Illegal Drug Use, Outcomes of Education, Program Design, Program Evaluation, Secondary Education, Student Characteristics, Vocational High Schools, Vocational Rehabilitation, Volunteer Training
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A