Demonstrating the effectiveness of a residential education programme for disengaged young people: a preliminary report. (19th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mastronardi, Paul; Ainsworth, Frank; Huefner, Jonathan C.
• Is Part Of: Children Australia. Volume 45:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 312
• Page End: 316
• Publication Date: 2020-12-19
• Subjects: residential education, -- programme evaluation, -- strengths and difficulties, -- data-informed decision-making, -- effectiveness; Child welfare -- Australia -- Periodicals; Children -- Services for -- Australia -- Periodicals; Family social work -- Australia -- Periodicals; 362.70994
• DOI: 10.1017/cha.2020.48
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1035-0772

Abstract

Abstract: This article reports on the early results of using behavioural and educational data to evaluate a residential education programme. The programme serves male and female students between 12 and 16 years of age who have been suspended or expelled from school due to behavioural issues or who refused to attend school. Using measures of behavioural and educational progress during care and reporting these changes over time provided empirical evidence that the programme was achieving its primary aims of 'behaviour change and educational gains.' Collecting and reporting this data has empowered the programme to increase programme effectiveness through both data-informed decision-making and ongoing programme evaluation.