PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141)

This bulletin explores the proximal risk factors for juvenile offending, reviews the early developmental precursors to violent offending, and summarizes approaches to prevention. It also discusses components of intervention programs, limitations of single-focus prevention, examples of multi systemic interventions, and limitations of prevention strategies. Among the child-focused components of prevention is academic skills enhancement. The most effective academic skills enhancement approaches are law-related moral education programs that educate youth about the role of law in society. Many academic programs target elementary or high school students who have already developed academic and behavioral problems. Basic skills education programs may be more effective with younger children. Classroom-focused components of intervention programs include academic skills enhancement, classroom contingency training, and the use of token economy approaches that reward good behavior. Programs for preschool and elementary school children and adolescents are described. (Contains 141 references.) (SLD) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document