A couple of quick reactions on motivation:
 

*	Is there something that a successful student can graduate to?  In
some systems, high value prison jobs (prison industry) and high demand
vocational training programs are linked to completion of programs.  The
availability of a college program can really motivate GED students.  Indiana
State prisons award time off sentence credits to students -- not for
participation -- but for completion of educational goals.  

 

*	Is the teacher motivating?  In community based adult education,
students tend to pretty clearly "vote with their feet."  The unmotivating
adult ed teacher in the community might end up alone in a classroom.
(Although this seems to happen to a certain extent even in prisons where
students are "forced" to attend.  Attendance records do tell a story.)
Sometimes the motivation issue does come back to the capability and
motivation of the teacher, at least in part.  Are indicators such as
attendance, disciplinary issues, progress and drop out rates tracked by
teacher and are teachers recognized for positive outcomes?  Are high quality
professional development opportunities available to teachers?

 

*	Why would potentially motivated students be allowed to languish
unserved in cells while unmotivated students occupy classroom seats?  An
exceptional correctional principal I was privileged to work with routinely
called "well behaved" but passive students into his office and told them
that they were being rotated out of the program for "lack of progress."
This supported a cultural norm in that school where it was "ok" for tough
guys to act like motivated students.  They had an excuse:  "I have to
participate or I might get kicked out."   And some of the unmotivated
students did return after a semester off with an altered approach.  I note
the reference to a mandatory education policy.  Some similar policies
require a minimum time period (three months) of participation for inmates
below a certain grade level or without a diploma.  They don't require the
inmate student to stay in school until they get the degree or attain the
pre-determined grade level.  If the existing policy is resulting in the
school becoming clogged with "dead wood," perhaps it needs to be revisited.
I'll bet those unmotivated students impact school climate, don't they?   

 
 
John Linton  

-----Original Message-----
From: specialtopics-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:specialtopics-bounces at nifl.gov]On Behalf Of Lobaccaro Gina (DOC)
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 8:39 PM
To: specialtopics at nifl.gov
Subject: RE: [SpecialTopics 204] Posting your questions


Hello All,
I am Gina Lobaccaro the Media & Technology Specialist at Sussex Correctional
Institution in Georgetown Delaware.  I work for the Delaware Department of
Education Prison Education program.. I have corresponded with David and
Bill, and I have met Steve at a couple of conferences.
I am asking if there is any research or a need for research in the area of
motivation for low level ABE learners in correctional settings.  We have so
many inmate/students who come to class but make little or no progress over
and extended time.  They appear to be coming to get off the tiers or to
receive "good time".  In truth, they do not receive much "good time" for
education.  Our education program is a classified program.  If a student
does not have  GED or HS diploma they must attend school.  We have a long
waiting list for the low level ABE students, but we also have students
sitting in classes who appear to me totally unmotivated to improve their
academic skills.
Do you or the other list serve members have suggestions for motivating ABE
low level learners in CE settings?
Gina

  _____  

From: specialtopics-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of David Rosen
Sent: Mon 9/18/2006 7:38 PM
To: specialtopics at nifl.gov
Subject: [SpecialTopics 204] Posting your questions



Colleagues,

Please post your questions and comments for our guests as soon as you 
are ready.  (Now would be good.) You can ask general questions like 
"What do we know about the transition from a prison or jail education 
program to a community education program?" or "What does family 
literacy mean in a prison setting?" Or you can ask specific questions 
like "How does a prison family literacy program affect children's 
reading skills?"  Some people have joined the discussion to be 
introduced to the topic; others are experts in this area.  All 
questions are welcome.

Send your questions to:

specialtopics at nifl.gov

David J. Rosen
Special Topics Discussion Moderator
djrosen at comcast.net



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