Boot Camps & Military Schools in Louisiana
If you are parenting a child who has gone beyond the discipline you can provide, you may have considered a military school or boot camp as a solution. However, it is very important to understand the requirements and goals of the variety of teen help programs available in order to select the one that will best help your child. At Help Your Teen Now, we inform and educate parents just like you, about the options and facilities available. Our free phone consultation will help us assist you in gathering the resources and knowledge you need in order to move forward and heal your family.
Boot Camps Are Not The Best Option for Troubled Teens from Louisiana
Louisiana Regulatory Laws
Accreditation is optional for nonpublic schools in Louisiana, however facilities may seek approval with the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Approved nonpublic schools must maintain a curriculum that is similar to public schools. La. Const. Art. VIII 4; LA R.S. Ann 17:11. Nonpublic schools must register with the state. La. R.S. Ann. 17:232(C) and (D).
Schools that receive local, state or federal funding are required to employ teachers who are qualified according to the guidelines established by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Nonpublic schools that do not receive federal or local aid may hire instructors with qualifications determined by the head of the school or church. La. R.S. Ann. 17:236.
Nonpublic schools are required to have the same requirements for graduation as that in a public school. Class sizes may be no bigger than 35 students with the exception of music, art and physical education. La. R.S. Ann 17:11.
New students must submit proof of immunization, or proof of exemption before starting nonpublic school. La. R.S. Ann. 17:170. The state health officer will determine the rules and regulations regarding health and safety for private schools. La. R.S. Ann. 40:4.
Reference: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf
Louisiana children between ages 4-17 diagnosed each year with ADD/ADHD: 15.8% (CDC: State-based Prevalence Data of Parent Reported ADHD Diagnosis by a Health Care Provider, 2011) https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/prevalence.html
Louisiana ranks 6th in the country for teen pregnancy with 4,625 babies born to women under 20 in 2016. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2016 Study) https://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/facts-and-stats/national-and-state-data-sheets/adolescent-reproductive-health/louisiana/index.html
National suicide ranking: 30th. (CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, 2016). https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/population-health/us-states-ranked-by-suicide-rate.html
In a 2017 report, it showed that 13% of Louisiana teens abuse alcohol and 13% are binge drinking. Marijuana use in Louisiana teens was 37% and other illicit drug use was at 10%. (CDC:Louisiana Adolescent Substance Abuse Facts, 2017 ) https://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/facts-and-stats/national-and-state-data-sheets/adolescents-and-substance-abuse/louisiana/index.html
Juvenile arrests in Louisiana in 2017 included 204 arrests for aggravated assault, 49 arrests for robbery, 891 arrests for larceny, 362 arrests for drug abuse and 106 for weapons violations. (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention: Juvenile Arrests, 2018) https://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/crime/qa05103.asp?qaDate=2018&text=yes
For the 2014-2015 school year, Louisiana reported a 77.5% high school graduation rate. (U.S. Department of Education, Graduation Rates 2014-2015) https://www.governing.com/gov-data/high-school-graduation-rates-by-state.html
Summary
If you are considering military school or boot camp as a solution for your struggling teen, please call us today. There are a variety of other environments that are dedicated long term success in treating your teen for behavior issues, while keeping them on track educationally. We provide a free family assessment and phone consultation to help us guide you to the programs that are specific to your needs. Boot camps and military camps are not the only option for your teen. Contact our experienced staff at Help Your Teen Now to get started on the solution that will restore your teens good behavior.
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