Good afternoon, everyone.
I am not sure if this question fits the purpose of this listserv, but I
thought I would throw it out there anyway...
I have heard more than once now that the estimated number of prison beds
needed in the U.S. is calculated by the number of students who fail a
3rd-grade test. And, recently I was asked by a friend who works at the GA
Department of Education if I knew anything about this. I don't, but thought
that someone on this list might have some information.
We were wondering:
Does anyone on this list know if this statement has any merit- are the
number of prison beds based on the number of students who fail standardized
tests in elementary school?
If it is true, who is the "they" who calculates this number?
Which test(s) are used to calculate the number?
Is the number based on a specific grade or an average of several grades?
Does the estimation consider the number of children who are enrolled in
Special Education programs and, if so, how is that calculated?
Are there other risk factors that are used to calculate this number- how are
these students profiled?
How close is the estimation to the actual number of prison beds needed?
Also, if this statement is true, does anyone know of any programs that have
been put in place specifically to reduce these students' chances of ending
up in prison--or returning to prison--and the success rate of those
programs?
Thanks- we appreciate any information you can give us!
Ryan