Enrolling teens in certain non-academic programs may decrease violent-crime arrests by as much as 44 percent while students are enrolled, according to a new study by the University of Chicago Crime Lab.
Researchers analyzed the impact of enrolling 2,740 disadvantaged seventh through 10th grade boys in Becoming A Man (BAM)—Sports Edition, a Chicago program which focuses on developing cognitive skills related to emotional regulation and other social behaviors. In addition to the reduction in violent-crime arrests, the study found an increase in schooling outcomes that could translate to a 10 to 23 percent increase in graduation rates among participants.
The study estimates the dollar-valued benefits of enrolling teens in such programs as between three and 31 times the $1,100 invested per participant.
Read the study here.