JusticeEd: Year Four Progress Update

At the National Center for Youth Law (NCYL), we envision a future where each and every system-impacted young person is able to graduate from high school with the widest array of possibilities for their future. Whether they choose to attend a university, pursue a vocational training program, or open a business, youth who have experienced probation deserve to achieve graduation and create the futures they envision for themselves, with the support of a network of adults who are cheering them on along the way.

JusticeEd seeks to improve secondary and post-secondary outcomes for Santa Clara County’s court-involved youth through collaborative systems change and the implementation of evidence-based, student-centered supports. Through JusticeEd:

Court-involved youth receive coordinated supports from JusticeEd staff, teachers, support personnel, advocates, and caregivers that include education planning services that promote youth academic success.
Parents, family members, mentors, and other adult advocates receive information, coaching, and training to help them self-actualize as supporters and champions.
System and community leaders collaborate on the development of policy and practices that uplift the voices of court-involved youth and ensure equitable opportunities.
Teachers and support personnel receive recognition, are connected and engage in collaborative support for court-involved youth.

After four years of data and evaluation, detailed in this Year 4 Progress Update, we are proud that data is showing our program is having a positive impact on the lives and academic outcomes of the students with whom we work.

When comparing findings from Year 1, Year 2, and Year 4 reports, positive trends are sustained over the course of all reporting periods. While working with JusticeEd, students have continued to…

Report positive experiences and social-emotional learning through their interactions with Education Liaisons.
Experience reductions in suspensions and school discipline.
Have increased rates of credit attainment.