[AAACE-NLA] Literacy in prison schools/mandated learning

[Andy Nash]

Bill,
I haven’t worked with adults in a prison setting, but I have worked
(several years back) with women who were mandated to attend class in
order to get their Welfare assistance. One thing I found helpful was to
talk about mandated learning – what are the pros and cons of coerced
attendance? What are the beliefs and assumptions of those who have
created the mandate? What would we like them to know about? This series
of discussions got even the most resentful students talking (and
writing) and I think it worked because it put on the table/made visible
the unspoken power dynamic that underlies these mandates. In these
contexts, the message that “you will do what we say because you can’t
seem to make good decisions” comes through much louder and clearer to
the students than any message that learning is valued or valuable. I
found that airing this out allowed more students to open up and find
their own purposes for being there. 

Andy Nash
NELRC/World Education


>>> William R Muth/FS/VCU <wrmuth at vcu.edu> 03/12/07 10:13 PM >>>
Janet--Helping literacy learners find personal reasons to learn in 
mandatory literacy programs is a big challenge! As you know, prison 
systems often encourage prisoner passivity. And many of those performing

at lower levels already think that "doing school" means doing what you
are 
told and following directions. 

What are the "stakes" in your system? In the Federal Prison System 
mandatory used to mean that you could be assigned to higher paying
prison 
jobs if you finished the program. But now it means you lose good time if

you quit. This heavier "incentive" brought lots of learners back to 
school, but many with poor attitudes & resentment--all of which fell on 
the teacher to fix. 

Often through trial and error, I've stumbled upon hooks as varied as
gold 
stars for one learner with very low verbal skills and language
experience 
approach for more verbal students. Many intermediate learners resent 
school but secretly want help with letter writing and other
communication. 
Some learners respond to praise and success. Some have never set goals
for 
themselves, and need to learn how to do this gradually.

I am sure that many community-based teachers face the very same
challenges 
as correctional educators face. It would be helpful to hear what works
for 
them as well...
Bill Muth
VCU 

 
 




Jmk <jkaber at sbcglobal.net> 
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03/11/2007 02:57 PM
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[AAACE-NLA] Literacy in prison schools






As a Correctional Educator what strategies can be used to motivate the 
lower learning students given that many of them don't want to be in 
school?  Janice_______________________________________________
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