The relationship between IQ and delinquency is inverse in nature. Individuals with lower IQ have the highest tendency of being delinquent. Poor performance in school and truancy have a direct relationship with juvenile delinquency. When the students are labeled as failures they may result to delinquent behaviors. Therefore, failure in school practices undermines students’ commitment and interest in school and learning leading to delinquency. Routine activity theory explains the relationship between victimization and delinquency. The theory indicates that the society determines the types of situations that emerge. Therefore, when learners are routinely victimized, they would involve themselves in crime. What was project PATHE? What was its approach to school problems? How was it tested? What were its impacts?
PATHE is a universal change program for secondary schools meant to minimize disorders in school and improvee school environment. In addition, it enhances students’ attitude and experiences. The approaches to school problems included full participation of students, community, and staff in planning. Schoolwide organizational alterations meant to improve academic performance and enhance school climate. The project initiated programs that would prepare students for the future careers. Finally, it offered effective services and academics opportunities for high-risk youths. The program was tested using four experimental middle schools. One school selected for experiment was a control middle school, while the random student sample was 300 African-American students residing in both rural and urban areas. The program was successful since a noteworthy decrease in drug involvement and delinquency was achieved, which led to less punishments and suspensions in school. In essence, high grades were recorded for students under special academic and counselling services.
- What are SROs? How prevalent are they? What purpose do they serve for schools?
SROs are police officers who enforce the law in schools and collabore with the management. The officers have the same training as other police officers and are equipped with skills to deal with special situations and work with a community of teenagers. There are close to 10,000 school resources officers around the country working with junior high and middle high schools. The officers strive to reduce drug abuse, violence, and crime to acquire a safe school environment.
- Discuss some of the problems or concerns with SROs? Do you believe they increase or decrease school safety. Explain why.
Some of the critical issues that concern SROs in their work in managing student behavior include insufficient training and absence of regulatory policies on issues regarding their roles and responsibilities. SROs are seen to perpetuate juvenile arrests , a move that deteriorate the already delicate relationship between the minority community and the police. Frequent confrontations between the students and the armed police officers in schools have been witnessed. Some students may be arrested for cases that could fall under classroom management through guidance and counseloring from the teachers.. SROs are not effective in their role to combat juvenile crimes in schools instead they have increased misdemeanor,arrests, charges, while promoting violent behavior.