Learning Disabilities in the Correctional Classroom

Submitted by Michelle Candy on Thu, 07/22/2021 - 16:49
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Hi--my colleague and I are working on a presentation for a corrections teacher in-service for our state. Can anyone point me to research showing percentage of students with learning disabilities who are in corrections/corrections ed? Through our informal examinations, we are finding 50% or higher, but we'd like to know if there are studies out there.

Thanks!!

Comments

Hi.

Sorry for the delayed response. Check out this review of literature that could be of some help.

https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/103510/using-research-to-improve-health-and-health-care-in-us-correctional-facilities_0.pdf

You may also want to check out this study, Disabled Behind Bars.

https://cdn.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/18000151/2CriminalJusticeDisability-report.pdf

Hope this helps.

Jeff A

This is great work and very meaningful for your teachers, but I would also suggest that the numbers of learners with documented learning disabilities are far under reported in adult education. Often, the students lack the documentation and adult education schools are often not able to provide resources and access to for LD screanings. 

I would encourage you to consider integrating the principles of Universal Design for Learning as a way to assist learners who have, and who don't have, a documented learning disability. 

Kathy Tracey

 

Thanks Kathy. That is a great idea.

I will provide some additional information on Universal Design for Learning (in a correctional and reentry setting). Jeff A

I appreciate what has been shared. Within our DOCR system, we have the opportunity and ability to document learning disabilities for accommodations in classrooms and for GED testing. But I understand that there may not be documentation of LD in the prison population at large.