Graduation Date
Fall 2025
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Arts degree with a major in Education
Committee Chair Name
Libbi Miller
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
James Woglom
Second Committee Member Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Curriculum, Justice-involved youth, Juvenile justice, Addressing recidivism, Youth, Rehabilitation, Emotional intelligence, Prosocial behavior, Curriculum design, Juvenile hall, Incarceration
Subject Categories
Education
Abstract
Providing effective rehabilitation for justice-involved youth is an increasing priority within the American social justice system, yet remains a significant challenge. The Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) at Cal Poly Humboldt uses curriculum to support learning objectives related to emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and emotional maturation, with the broader goal of reducing recidivism among youth in Northern California. Although curriculum design is widely understood in education as essential for effective learning, limited research examines how youth rehabilitation programs in carceral settings use curriculum to address the developmental and learning needs of participants. Using a case study methodology, this research examines how the YEP uses curriculum to work toward its goals aiming to help address the gap in existing literature. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with three Project Rebound staff members, observations of the program, and analysis of the written curriculum. Findings highlight program strengths, particularly the therapeutic strategies used by facilitators, while also identifying areas for improvement in the curriculum, including the limited application of curriculum design strategies and the substantial challenges associated with serving youth with high needs. Based on this analysis, recommendations include integrating curriculum design principles with established therapeutic practices to better meet youth needs and strengthen program outcomes.
Citation Style
APA
Recommended Citation
Stewart, Julie, "Curriculum addressing recidivism: A case study of Project Rebound’s Youth Empowerment Program" (2025). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2526.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2526