School Reentry: Exploring Healing-Centered Mechanisms for Formerly Incarcerated Transition-Age Black Males in an Urban Intensive, Asset-Based Alternative School.
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| Title: | School Reentry: Exploring Healing-Centered Mechanisms for Formerly Incarcerated Transition-Age Black Males in an Urban Intensive, Asset-Based Alternative School. |
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| Authors: | Lea III, Charles H.1 (AUTHOR) chl2159@columbia.edu, Sardesai, Tanaya1,2 (AUTHOR), Edwards, Kevonyah T.1 (AUTHOR), Andrade, Gaby M.1,2 (AUTHOR), Kim, Bo-Kyung Elizabeth2 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Education Sciences. Apr2026, Vol. 16 Issue 4, p653. 26p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Alternative schools, *Educators, *Culturally relevant education, *Mental health services, *Education policy, Formerly incarcerated people, Trauma-informed care, Black men |
| Abstract: | As schools take on more responsibility for promoting student mental health, there is an increasing focus on how educational policies and practices enhance psychological well-being. However, research has yet to fully examine how alternative school environments support student mental health, especially for those facing structural inequities related to exclusionary discipline and system involvement. This exploratory qualitative case study examined how an urban intensive, asset-based alternative high school supports the mental health of formerly incarcerated transition-age (18–25) Black male students during reentry. Drawing on interviews (n = 12), observations (n = 33), a focus group (n = 4), and document review, analyzed using thematic analysis with the Radical Healing Framework as an interpretive lens, four interconnected themes emerged: academic engagement and high school completion as sources of future orientation; employment preparation as a pathway to economic stability and purpose; social-emotional stability fostered through relational support and collective care; and liberation from system involvement as relief from racialized surveillance. These mechanisms were perceived as reducing psychological distress, supporting emotional regulation, and promoting a sense of belonging and agency within and outside the alternative school context. Implications for healing-centered, culturally responsive educational policy, practice, and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Education Sciences is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
| FullText | Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: ehh DbLabel: Education Research Complete An: 193463812 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.3390/educsci16040653 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 26 StartPage: 653 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Alternative schools Type: general – SubjectFull: Educators Type: general – SubjectFull: Culturally relevant education Type: general – SubjectFull: Mental health services Type: general – SubjectFull: Education policy Type: general – SubjectFull: Formerly incarcerated people Type: general – SubjectFull: Trauma-informed care Type: general – SubjectFull: Black men Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: School Reentry: Exploring Healing-Centered Mechanisms for Formerly Incarcerated Transition-Age Black Males in an Urban Intensive, Asset-Based Alternative School. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Lea III, Charles H. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Sardesai, Tanaya – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Edwards, Kevonyah T. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Andrade, Gaby M. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Kim, Bo-Kyung Elizabeth IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 04 Text: Apr2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 22277102 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 16 – Type: issue Value: 4 Titles: – TitleFull: Education Sciences Type: main |
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