NCJ Number
144017
Date Published
1993
Length
53 pages
Annotation
A national survey of reading teachers working in 260 juvenile correctional institutions was conducted to develop a profile of current reading programs in these facilities, because research has revealed that recidivism can be reduced and employment increased through research-based reading instruction.
Abstract
The questionnaire survey focused on levels of oral and reading comprehension and the types of teaching strategies used. Responses came from 145 teachers. Results revealed that 89.6 percent of the teachers are working with some youths aged 13-19 who cannot decode fluently and accurately what they can talk about and understand. In addition, the tests used to determine oral comprehension are mostly inappropriate, because they measure reading achievement or subskills rather than the differences in oral and reading comprehension. Moreover, teachers' beliefs regarding teaching strategies vary widely from the techniques used and research findings indicating that systematic phonics is the most effective approach for those who cannot decode accurately and fluently. Findings suggested the need for correctional administrators to provide inservice teacher training that is based on experimental research. Tables, footnotes, attached definitions and survey instrument, and 47 references