An analysis of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections Adult Basic Education and General Development teacher training needs.

Abstract

The data obtained from the 48 questionnaires were audited; and the responses, tabulated. Each question was placed in one of eight categories to make possible the appropriate analysis of the collected data. The eight categories are general institutional information; inmate educational interest; inmate educational placement; human resources; physical resources; financial resources; external resources; and course design information.

The purpose of this study was to identify staff development and inservice training needs of the instructors of Adult Basic Education and General Education Development programs in the Oklahoma Penal System. The study will attempt to answer the questions: Is there a need for additional staff development and inservice training for those teachers involved in the instruction of Adult Basic Education and General Education Development classes within the Department of Corrections? What are the staff development and inservice training needs of those teachers?

The population of this study included all 48 ABE/GED teachers employed by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections assigned to teach in the Adult Basic Education (ABE) and/or General Education Development (GED) programs. Fourteen of the 19 state correctional institutions had ABE/GED programs available for the inmates. The 14 correctional institutions were grouped into two classifications: group one included nine maximum, medium, and minimum security institutions with 32 ABE/GED teachers, and group two, five community treatment centers with 16 ABE/GED teachers.

The study resulted in a current and comprehensive assessment of the teacher training needs of instructors of Adult Basic Education and General Education Development programs of institutionalized adults in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Through this assessment, a data base will be provided for the creation of a plan to meet those training needs. This project will therefore serve as a model for meeting the current teacher training needs as well as their future training needs.

The second phase of data acquisition consisted of site visitations to each participating correctional institution to conduct the survey with the ABE/GED teachers. In all, 48 questionnaires were returned, representing a 100 percent response.

The data collection consisted of two parts: the first phase was comprised of site visitations as a pre-survey measure to explain to Department of Corrections officials, particularly the educational directors, the purpose of the survey and its general contents, and to coordinate the administration of the instrument.

A questionnaire to identify the staff development needs and inservice training needs of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections ABE and GED teachers was developed as a consequence of reviewing the literature relating to a general assessment of adult education, and specifically, to the assessment of teacher training needs for the instructors of institutionalized adults.

The study was limited to the Oklahoma Penal System; those teachers employed by the Department of Corrections; and those teachers presently teaching in the Adult Basic Education and/or General Education Development programs.