Moving justice-involved kids between schools may be good for their grades, but it may increase their reoffending

Young people who have become involved with the juvenile justice system may be enrolled into alternative schools to increase their academic success or to reduce delinquency. But does this lead to better outcomes for those involved? In new research following over 1,200 juvenile offenders across three states after their first arrest, Adam Fine and his colleagues find that compared to youth who attended traditional schools, youth who attended alternative schools fared better academically. However, they also ended up engaging in more delinquency and committing more violent crimes.