Tucson Unified School District will share data about its 500 students involved in the juvenile court system, with a goal of reducing crime and helping at-risk youths.
An intergovernmental agreement will facilitate sharing of information about students enrolled or previously enrolled at TUSD and involved in the Pima County Juvenile Court Center, in order to develop programming for youths and reduce juvenile crimes.
The data shared with PCJCC will be compiled into statistics on juveniles entering the justice system via school-based referrals.
“This could give wraparound supports to adjudicated youth who really need those additional services.” Kamren Taravati, TUSD’s director of equity, diversity and inclusiveness, told the district Governing Board Tuesday night.
Those services include behavioral health support, dropout prevention and intervention services, and general delinquent behavior prevention. Both at-risk students and students already involved in the juvenile justice system could receive these services.
“This (agreement) only involves the sharing of data, grades, attendance, discipline, student related data … with the Pima County Juvenile Court center only for court-involved students that we have,” said TUSD Superintendent Gabriel Trujillo.
Information could not be shared outside TUSD or PCJCC, except as allowed by law.
Collected data can include, as applicable: name, date of birth, gender, mother’s last name, date of school referral, grades, attendance records, race/ethnicity, grade level, schools attended, test scores, credits earned as of the school year’s end, special education information, disability diagnosis, dropout status, disciplinary actions or proceedings, reason for suspension/expulsion, duration of suspension/ expulsion, prior discipline record, residential zip code, information on school disciplinary action, student identification number, English Language Learner status, and free or reduced lunch eligibility.
Statistics help trace and evaluate outcomes for juveniles recorded into the court system.
“All books, accounts, reports, files, and other records relating to this Agreement shall be kept for five years after termination of this Agreement and shall be always subject to inspection and audit by either party,” says the agreement, unanimously approved by the TUSD Governing Board.
A recent study has revealed that more children and young adults are experiencing anxiety, yet fewer are receiving appropriate help.
