Academic achievement in juvenile corrections: Examining the impact of age, ethnicity and disability

The current study explores the relationship of disability and ethnicity to academic achievement among youth in juvenile corrections. The average reading level of the incarcerated boys in this study was at the eighth grade level, while their average math score was at the seventh grade level. Approximately 30% of the youth were identified as eligible for special education and 65% were ethnic minorities. The academic achievement of these youth indicated that they are indeed functioning below the mean on all measures of achievement. However, although these youth are behind academically, the majority are not more than one standard deviation below the mean. The information presented in this analysis provides information not only on the educational levels of youth in corrections, but whether their academic achievement is mediated by factors such as race and disability.