LETTER TO PRINCIPAL 1
Letter to Principal Response: Graduation Rates, Community Engagement, and
Transition Programming with Career and Technical Education
Michael Pociask
School of Education, Liberty University
LETTER TO PRINCIPAL 2
Letter to Principal Response: Graduation Rates, Community Engagement, and Transition
Programming with Career and Technical Education
Michael A. Pociask
Principal
New Beginning High School
2468 New Beginnings Way
Rubicon, Florida 44774
November 12, 2023
Commissioner Altan Chauncey
Rubicon County Chamber of Commerce
444 Innovation Circle
Rubicon, Florida 44774
Subject: Update on New Beginning High School Recidivism Rates and Transition Programs
Dear Commissioner Chauncey,
I trust this letter finds you well. As the proud principal of our county’s juvenile detention
program, New Beginnings High School, I am reaching out to provide you with an update on our
recent efforts and progress in enhancing graduation rates and implementing effective transition
programs for our students.
Graduation Rates
Our commitment to breaking the cycle of recidivism is a top priority at NBHS. We have been
closely monitoring and analyzing the relationship between graduation rates and recidivism. I am
pleased to share that our data indicates a positive correlation between successful graduation and
reduced recidivism. This underscores the importance of education in empowering our students to
make positive choices for their future. Our anecdotal findings are consistent with national trends
which indicate that recidivism rates are nearly cut in half when juvenile offenders earn their high
school diploma (Novak & Fagan, 2021).
LETTER TO PRINCIPAL 3
Community Engagement
Recognizing the pivotal role that the community plays in supporting our students, we have
intensified our community engagement initiatives. We have established partnerships with local
organizations, businesses, and community leaders to create a supportive network for our
students. Through collaborative efforts, we aim to foster an environment where our students feel
valued, encouraged, and connected to the broader community. The role of the community and
positive connections therein plays is pivotal in creating opportunities for juvenile offenders and
reducing the likelihood of recidivism upon release (Kowalski et al., 2022).
Transition Programming with Career and Technical Education
Transitioning our students successfully from the juvenile justice system to mainstream
society is a multifaceted endeavor. In alignment with this, we have implemented robust transition
programming that incorporates career and technical education and certifications. Our students
now have access to certified vocational training, equipping them with valuable skills for future
employment opportunities. We believe that providing practical skills alongside academic
education enhances their prospects for successful reintegration. In accordance with best practices
for vocational education, recidivism can be further reduced by an additional 37% when high
school graduates earn industry recognized certifications and become gainfully employed
thereafter (Muhlhausen & Hurwitz, 2019)
Further, our school is appreciative to collaborate with the Rubicon County Chamber of
Commerce along with local businesses and trade organizations to facilitate job placement
opportunities for our graduates. We understand the significance of not only imparting an
education but also ensuring our students have meaningful career pathways upon completing their
education. In recent studies, it has been shown that when juvenile offenders earn a high school
LETTER TO PRINCIPAL 4
diploma or its equivalency in conjunction with transitioning into a trade or career education
program significantly impacts recidivism rates (Robertson et al., 2020).
I want to express my gratitude for your continued interest and support in the education
and professional transition of the students at New Beginnings High School. Our collaborative
efforts with community stakeholders are instrumental in creating positive outcomes for our
graduates and curbing the recidivism of our community’s youth. If you have any questions,
suggestions, or would like to further discuss our initiatives, please feel free to contact me at 407-
867-5309 or Michael.Pociask@RubiconCountySchools.net. We value your input and partnership
as we work together to make a lasting impact on the lives of these young individuals. Thank you
for your ongoing support, and I look forward to our continued collaboration.
Sincerely,
Michael A. Pociask, M.Ed.
Principal
New Beginnings High School
LETTER TO PRINCIPAL 5
References
Kowalski, M. A., Hamilton, Z., Kigerl, A., Baglivio, M. T., & Wolff, K. T. (2022). Protecting
against adversity: The role of positive childhood experiences in youth recidivism. Youth
Violence and Juvenile Justice, 21(3), 154120402211331.
https://doi.org/10.1177/15412040221133106
Muhlhausen, D. B., & Hurwitz, H. J. (2019). First Step Act: Best Practices for Academic and
Vocational Education for Offenders. Federal Sentencing Reporter, 32(1), 56–62.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/26854407
Novak, A., & Fagan, A. (2021). Expanding research on the school-to-prison pipeline: Examining
the relationships between suspension, expulsion, and recidivism among justice-involved
youth. Crime & Delinquency, 68(1), 001112872199933.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128721999334
Robertson, A. A., Fang, Z., Weiland, D., Joe, G., Gardner, S., Dembo, R., Mcreynolds, L.,
Dickson, M., Pankow, J., Dennis, M., & Elkington, K. (2020). Recidivism among justice-
involved youth: Findings from JJ-TRIALS. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 47(9), 1059–
1078. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854820922891
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