Karen VanderVen
This article contends that point and level systems constitute a powerful "culture" in education and treatment environments. Most level systems deprive youth of normative needs such as privacy, decision making, and group participation in stimulating activities. These level systems also distort professional thinking because discussions about problems and treatment goals are carried on in a contrived language of "pointese. " This treatment culture compromises sensitivity to cultural differences among clients and interferes with healthy overall development. The present article offers recommendations for moving away from or modifying level systems toward practices sensitive to cultural differences.
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