Influencing factors involved in inmates' participation in adult basic education : general educational development programs in county-operated corrections facilities /
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| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1992.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to examine the influencing factors involved in the participation or nonparticipation in adult basic education-- general educational development (ABE-GED) programs of 116 inmates in seven county-operated corrections facilities in Texas in 1991. Participating jails had inmate populations ranging from just under 100 to more than 500 inmates. This was an exploratory study based on a naturalistic paradigm that utilized a combination of focus groups, survey forms, and publicly available jail records to determine if attribute variables would indicate which inmates might participate in ABE-GED programs in county jails. Determination of the dependent variable (level of inmate participation) was done in consultation with the local GED instructors. Eleven focus group sessions made up of Texas county inmates were brought together to discuss why they did or did not participate in the GED classes. Survey forms were used to gain demographic information as well as written answers to the focus group discussion questions. Content analysis was conducted on the data received from the focus group surveys. Chi-square analysis was used in testing hypotheses about the variance between levels of participation as well as ANOVA, which was used to test for the possibility of significant age differences of participation groups. The .05 level of significance was set for statistical treatments. Finding were that influencing factors included: 1) inmates who participated in the GED classes did so because they wanted to receive their Ged certificate, they wanted to get a better job when they get out, and they wanted a better future by having participated in and receiving their GED. 2) Factor analysis revealed that participating inmates were there to gain their GED as well as prepare better for success in the future. 3) Participants' average age of 28 was two years older than those who did not participate in GED programs. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Adult & Extension Education." |
| Physical Description: | ix, 128 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |