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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
Los Angeles County Grand Jury
• 2011-2012
Education of Incarcerated Juveniles
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 10 findings
F1
Page 251
Substitute teachers are frequently employed because of the year-round calendar and teachers’ training schedule. Students who leave the camp schools frequently return to local schools that are on the traditional calendar.
F2
Page 251
There is uneven educational use of computers and technology by students. Some students are very comfortable using computers to share research and reports, while other students have no opportunity to work on computers.
F3
Page 251
The academic program at The Road to Success Academy is highly acclaimed by teachers, students and probation officers at Scott and Scudder Camps. Project- based academic programs are more efficient for record keeping. Project-based academic programs engage the students in learning more intensely than traditional education.
F4
Page 251
Teachers at the juvenile camps and halls’ schools are appropriately credentialed by the State of California. However, teachers do not all have the same level of competence. Some teachers are allowed to continue to teach despite their inability to manage a classroom.
F5
Page 251
Students at some of the camps are transported long distances to LAC+USC Hospital for a number of medical procedures so they miss valuable class time.
F6
Page 251
Vocational education opportunities are limited at the camps due to scheduling challenges.
F7
Page 251
Mentors and volunteers provide a strong motivation to youth for inspiration and are excellent role models.
F8
Page 251
Juveniles benefit from additional leisure reading materials.
F9
Page 251
Probation officers play a very important role in support of education of students at the camps.
F10
The CGJ saw no court officers at the camps. The CGJ was told by probation officers that they have not seen court officers visit the camps.
Recommendations 10
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R1Page 245Address the situation of the frequent use of substitute teachers. Long- term substitutes must be trained with the regular teachers for continuity of the education program. Change to a traditional, September-June calendar, to parallel other districts in Los Angeles, with staff development occurring primarily during the DETAINEE EDUCATION 222 2011–2012 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT summer. Summer school could be provided for remedial and elective courses. This would give teachers, who prefer working year-round, an opportunity to do so.
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R2Page 245Expand the use of computers and technology for students’ education, and provide technical support for teachers.
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R3Page 245Have teachers observe classes at the Road to Success Academy, to better implement the reforms detailed in the CERC report to the Board of Supervisors.
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R4Page 245Strengthen the teacher evaluation process by frequent well-documented observations and counseling for improvement. With these provisions, teachers who do not meet expectations could choose to leave for a more suitable position, or they could be removed from their teaching positions at the camps and halls. The Chief of the Los Angeles County Probation Department
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R5Page 245Negotiate and provide a contract with local hospitals for inoculations and medical services so that juveniles are not absent from classes, and staff is not away from camp for extended periods of time. The Chief of the Los Angeles County Probation Department and The Superintendent of the Los Angeles County Office of Education
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R6Page 245Address scheduling challenges of vocational education. Vocational education should be an integral part of the program at the camps.
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R7Page 245Implement a program for volunteers at the camps. A dedicated coordinator position in LACOE, or at various juvenile detention sites, would expand the involvement of the community.
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R8Page 245Provide soft-back leisure reading books to promote book clubs at the camps and to give to the students as they leave.
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R9Page 245Form a task force to develop a process so that probation staff and teachers can communicate and work together in a more meaningful way.
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R10Page 245Invite members of the juvenile court system to visit and observe the improved educational programs at the juvenile camps.