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Project researchers include, front row from left: Loukia Sarroub, Alex Mason and Sarah Staples-Farmer. Back row from left: Randy Farmer, Natalie Koziol, Debbie Minter and Eric Buhs.
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Return to Reset: Transitioning Youth from Out-of-Home Placement to the Mainstream Classroom
Research Team
Principal Investigator: Alex Mason
Co-Principal Investigators: Loukia Sarroub
Funding Information
Funding Agency: Office of Research and Innovation (ORI), UNL Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition
Award Date: Aug 1, 2024
End Date: Jun 30, 2026
Abstract
More than 25,000 youth reside in detention facilities on any given day in the United States, and about two-thirds of those youth do not successfully re-engage with school upon their release, largely due to an absence of effective transition supports, including for those students who have been expelled.
Racially and ethnically minoritized youth are overrepresented in the juvenile justice population and their school failure is a key driver of the “school-to-prison pipeline,” estimated to cost taxpayers $35 billion annually.
Researchers aim to help UNL to take leadership in ameliorating the racially biased “school-to-prison pipeline” and be the national distribution hub for effective supports for school success and recidivism reduction in juvenile justice-involved youth.
Return to Reset is designed to help students return to school following expulsion, detention and other alternative or out-of-school placements — and strengthen their paths toward graduation, employment and lifelong well-being.
Through personalized consultation, self-paced online learning modules and in-person training opportunities, professional development is tailored for educators to equip schools and districts with the knowledge and supports needed to create a welcoming and supportive return return to school for the most vulnerable students. It aims to facilitate student engagement, improve academic achievement and build trusting relationships with students and families.
Researchers have developed a public website to provide information about the program and serve as a technical assistance hub for schools to reach out and receive professional development or team training. They are also working with Lincoln Public Schools colleagues who have identified the issue and organized a parallel effort within LPS to help youth return to school.
Project researchers include, front row from left: Loukia Sarroub, Alex Mason and Sarah Staples-Farmer. Back row from left: Randy Farmer, Natalie Koziol, Debbie Minter and Eric Buhs.