NCJ Number
213779
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 57 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2006 Pages: 13-25
Date Published
March 2006
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study examined students' perceptions of the importance of programs, tools, and resources in correctional education programs.
Abstract
A majority of the students perceived each of the 11 primary skills taught by the programs as very important; however, fewer vocational program students rated all of the skills as "very important." The quality of the vocational programs was rated higher by participants than the academic programs. More vocational students reported a need for improved teacher's aides; and vocational program students rated their instructors higher than the academic students. Academic students (71 percent) were much more likely than vocational students (11.1 percent) to have used a tutor. For academic students, tutors were viewed as one of the most helpful program resources. Academic students reported an increase in self-esteem as the primary motivation for their program participation; whereas, vocational students were more likely to report increasing their chances for obtaining employment as their primary reason for program participation. The student survey sample consisted of all students (n=281) enrolled in education programs at the Kentucky State Reformatory. Students were currently enrolled in any of 14 academic and vocational education programs at the institution. Nearly two-thirds of the sample was enrolled in an academic program, and the remainder was in vocational programs. The survey instrument was a 43-item questionnaire administered to students during regularly scheduled class sessions. Survey items assessed students' perceptions of their programs, educational resources, motivations for program participation, institutional history, and demographics. 3 tables and 24 references