NCJ Number
111043
Journal
Guidance and Counselling Volume: 1 Issue: 5 Dated: (May 1986) Pages: 50-55
Date Published
1986
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes the organization and programming of a secondary school operated in conjunction with a secure juvenile correctional facility in Huron County, Ontario.
Abstract
The new corrections facility reflects current corrections philosophy as it combines appropriate consequences for offenses with a positive therapeutic milieu. The school, known as the Bluewater Secondary School, accommodates approximately 110 juveniles, and participation is voluntary. As of February 1, 1986, a staff of six was delivering 182 credits to 50 students. The rate of enrollment was 70 percent of the resident population. Classes are organized by broad subjects rather than by grade or level. Some English, social sciences, and mathematics courses are individualized, based on a pre-enrollment assessment of achievement level and previous school placement. Specialists from the community are used to impart special knowledge and skills. Curriculum planning is undertaken in partnership with facility correctional services staff. At maturity, the school will reflect a resource-based learning model. Individualized schedules, a minimum of 'class' groupings, the multigrade/multilevel approach, and the regular change in resident population require a computerized file management program the school does not yet have. The school provides the same guidance services available in a regular secondary school. The school climate is student-oriented. Enabling legislation allows a local board of education to establish educational programming in a correctional facility.