Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to establish, assess, and analyze the professional characteristics of juvenile court school educators (JCSE) in California; (2) to compare the professional characteristics of ten counties in Southern California with the state's; and (3) to determine if a significant difference exits between the self-concept of the juvenile court school educator (JCSE) in Southern California and the normative data on the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (Fitts 1964). Research design. The research design was descriptive. The professional characteristic information from the state and the sample were tabulated and compared by computing percentages. The "t for a single mean test of differences" was used to analyze the data from the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS) and to determine the significant difference between the sample and the normative data. Findings. The sample of JCSE from Southern California is similar to the state's professional characteristics. The data from the TSCS indicate that JCSEs have a positive self-concept pattern which is higher than the normed population and teachers in general. The JCSE sample's self-concept is significantly different (P $>$.001) than: the low-functioning group on all fourteen categories; the norm group in all categories except Physical Self; and the high-functioning group in seven of the categories. Conclusions. A baseline of professional characteristics for JCSE was established in eight areas for the state of California. The sample of JCSE in Southern California has a positive self-concept as measured by the TSCS and is more like the high-functioning normative group in its internal frame of reference. Recommendations. (1) replicate this study and sample a random selection of JCSE; (2) promote diversity in hiring and recruiting multiethnic groups in juvenile court schools; (3) insure that educators and JCSE are aware of the impact and influence their self-concept has on their students' self-concept; and (4) compare the teaching methods and self-concepts of JCSE to determine if a difference or correlation exists.