ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the efficacy of School-Based Teen Courts (SBTCs) using a rigorous experimental trial with 24 middle- and high-schools randomly selected to receive SBTCs (n= 12) or to business-as-usual without any SBTC program (n = 12). Analyses examined school-level longitudinal growth models and individual-level pretest-posttest comparisons on school climate, student problems, and suspension rates. Longitudinal growth models revealed that SBTCs were significantly associated with positive changes in school satisfaction and reductions in delinquent friends for high school students, but showed no significant changes on other outcomes. Short-term suspensions decreased more than twice as much in SBTC schools versus comparison schools. There was a 47% reduction in bullying victimization in SBTC schools relative to a 22% reduction in comparison schools. These findings suggest that SBTCs have the potential to positively impact youth development.

摘要

这项研究使用严格的实验性试验对24所初中和高中随机选择接受SBTC的初中（n = 12）或没有任何SBTC计划的正常经营进行评估（n= 12）。分析检查了学校水平的纵向增长模型以及个人水平的前测后测比较，以比较学校的气候，学生问题和停学率。纵向增长模型显示，SBTC与学校满意度的积极变化和高中生的违法朋友减少明显相关，但在其他结局上没有显着变化。与比较学校相比，SBTC学校的短期停学率下降了两倍多。SBTC学校的欺凌受害者减少了47％，而比较学校则减少了22％。这些发现表明，SBTC有潜力对青年发展产生积极影响。