Learning Disabilities in the Prison Population

Bridges to Practice Training for Correctional Education Instructors

Why do we see so many students with learning disabilities in the prison population?

• Youth and adults with learning disabilities often fail in school
  (about 20% of school children)
• Feelings of frustration and self-doubt lead to inappropriate behavior
  (high dropout rate)
• Bad behavior escalates until the law has to intervene
  (low skills-low employment-anger-crime)
• Youth and adults with learning disabilities often fail in correctional education programs
  (high number of adults with LD in classroom)
• Feelings of frustration lead to inappropriate behavior…
  (shame-anger-hopelessness-acting out)

How many teachers are trained in learning disabilities and know how to teach these students?

• Untrained teachers in correctional education classrooms often experience failure
  (I've tried everything I know, but)
• Inappropriate teaching behaviors lead to feelings of frustration and self-doubt
  (Am I a bad teacher?)
• Inappropriate teaching continues until a supervisor or a lawyer intervenes
  (No progress on test? What law?)
• Feelings of frustration continue unless…
  (What do they expect of me, anyway?)

What can be done to break this cycle of failure?

• Supervisors need to recognize this problem of failure
• Teachers need to receive support and training
• Students need to understand why they have failed
• Appropriate assessment of students must take place
• Strategies and technology that can make a difference must be utilized
• Success needs to be connected to the job market and earning potential

How are we supposed to do this? Who can help?

• Bridges to Practice is a training program for teachers that is provided through the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL)
• NIFL is a federal agency and our training programs are based on research in the field of learning disabilities
• NIFL has training teams all over the country - some trainers teach in correctional institutions
• We are building a network for teachers of adults with learning disabilities
• We invite you to consider joining our network: Contact us at 202-233-2064 or write to jcrawford@nifl.gov

June J. Crawford, Learning Disabilities Program Director, National Institute for Literacy