NCJ Number
107418
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 38 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1987) Pages: 65-70
Date Published
1987
Length
6 pages
Annotation
During 1987, a 50-percent increase in the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) correctional teaching staff was anticipated. Information from a study of selected characteristics of practicing Maryland prison teachers would be useful for selection and orientation of new teachers.
Abstract
The study could be replicated on other correctional teaching populations to add to the slim, but growing, body of available information on effective correctional teaching. Ninety-one teachers representing all MSDE correctional education institutional programs, instructional areas, and levels were subjects. Quartiles including the teachers perceived most effective (the high group) and teachers perceived least effective (the low group) were identified from the results of the Evaluation of Teacher Behaviors. Subject teachers completed Demographic Data Questionnaires, providing information about their experience, education, and certification and Correctional Teacher Interview Surveys, on which they responded to questions about their beliefs and personal strategies as correctional teachers. A comparison was made of information provided by teachers in the high group and teachers in the low group. A significantly higher percentage of teachers in the high group had updated their teaching skills during the 2 years prior to the study than had teachers in the low group. Analysis of the results of ratings for the Correctional Teacher Interview Survey indicated that teachers in the high group received statistically significantly higher ratings on their responses than did teachers in the low group for the characteristics: investment, desire to help students grow, and self-awareness. (Author abstract modified)