The Impact of Intervention Programs on Out-of-School Youth-At-Risk in the Arab Sector in Israel.

Abstract

Out-of-school youth at risk in the Arab sector in Israel face continuous challenges as a result of early school dropout, engagement in crime, and poor transition into adulthood. Most of the risks these youth face can be addressed early in school days through the use of effective intervention programs. In Israel, students from the Arab sector are more likely to be at risk than students from the Jewish sector due to cultural background, ethnic differences, and historical issues. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of intervention programs for youth at risk on Arab middle and high school students in Israel. A mixed method approach involving qualitative research, case study, and quantitative research was used to examine the research aim and objectives. Appropriate data was collected through survey questionnaires and interview questions to assess the effectiveness of the traditional intervention programs on Arab students. Results from the study reveal that generally intervention programs are fundamental to the success of students in terms of enhancing their engagement to school, promoting the students’ educational aspects in regard to learning motivation, learning self-efficacy, and sense of belonging to the school. Also, the study found that intervention programs mitigate students against potential risk factors discipline problems and involvement in violence while promoting their future normative motivations such as occupational aspirations. However, the existing intervention programs are largely pro-Jewish centered and less effective on students from the Arab sector. In conclusion, new intervention program should be applied to at-risk Arab middle and high school students in Israel to better cultivate their academic potential and help inform better future career prospects.