NCJ Number
112715
Date Published
1987
Length
67 pages
Annotation
This state of the art survey describes the extent and nature of correctional education programs for adult offenders; the extent of offender participation; the nature of educational and vocational counseling and testing; and administrative structures, budgets, and teaching personnel.
Abstract
These 1983 data also are compared with results from similar surveys conducted in 1973 and 1977. The comparative data showed that the percentage of adult offenders enrolled in specific types of educational programs was consistently highest in the 1977 study and lowest in the 1983 study. Through the 10 years of these studies the pattern of enrollment continued to be greatest in vocational education, followed by general education development/high school diploma (GED), adult basic education (ABE), and post-secondary education. Compared to 1977 data, there were slight increases in the percentage of institutions offering each kind of educational program in 1983. Student-to-teacher ratios in 1983 were lowest for vocational training (17 to 1) and highest for ABE programs (26 to 1). In 1983, a total of 48 different tests were used by State correctional education programs. At least one type of testing instrument was used by 84 percent of responding States. In 1983, educational programs accounted for 3.18 percent of the State's total correctional budget and amounted to an average of $1,579 per student. The correctional institution had primary administrative responsibility in 49 percent of States, followed by the school district in 21 percent. 12 tables and 28 references.