Academic Characteristics of Incarcerated Youth and Correctional Educational Programs

Abstract

A literature review of the academic characteristics of incarcerated youth and the academic correctional education programs serving them was conducted.The outcomes of the review indicated incarcerated adolescents function in the low-average to below-average range of intelligence, perform academically between fifth- and ninth-grade levels, and have histories of high rates of academic failure and grade retention.The predominant feature of correctional education academic programs serving these youth is a broad continuum of curricular offerings, ranging from elementary school to postsecondary school levels. However, the availability of special education services for youth with disabilities varies from state to state. Effective instructional strategies for incarcerated youth appear to be direct instruction and tutoring-based approaches. Implications of the findings for program development are discussed.