Literacy Provision in Dublin Prisons Stephen O’Connor Organiser CDVEC Educational Service to Prisons

Literacy Provision in Dublin Prisons

Stephen O’ConnorOrganiser

CDVEC Educational Service to Prisons


Literacy Provision in Dublin PrisonsStrategy

1 Whole – school, student-centred approach• ‘every teacher is a literacy teacher’• can sometimes lead to misunderstanding• Implications for methodology



2 Planning• Each education unit produces an annual

Literacy plan.• Teachers from the various centres meet to

share materials, ideas and identify CPD needs.



3 Assessment• Development of assessment tool• An aid to teachers in developing an appropriate

learning strategy with the learner.



4 Integration of digital literacy • ‘It Could be You’ (1990’s)• ‘Interactive Literacy’ (2011)



5 CPD• Each teacher undertakes CPD in relation to

integrating literacy work into their subject area.



6 Formal Certification & Progression• Students encouraged to progress towards formal

recognition when appropriate.• Links with literacy schemes in the community


Literacy Assessment

Robbie RobinsonWheatfield Education Unit


Literacy Assessment

• Literacy Network (CDVEC Prison Education)• Development• Assessment Tool• Distributed through Prisons nationally• Rationale• Process• Benefits/outcomes


Literacy Assessment

• Literacy Network CDVEC Prison• Representative from each Dublin centre• Meet each term• Share ideas/resources


STARTING POINTS Education Unit Wheatfield Name: _______________________________________ DoB: / / / Date: ________________________

Reading Can do

easily Can do

with help Would

like help Comments

Letters Birthday cards Safety signs Bills Phone book Road signs Calendar TV Guide Teletext Magazines Books Writing Can do

easily Can do

with help Would

like help Comments

Name Address Address (verbal) Half-sheet Letter to family Letter to solicitor Telephone message Spelling Handwriting Capital letters, Full stops Numbers Can do

easily Can do

with help Would

like help Comments

Count money Check change Understand weights Measure, wood cloth Use a timetable Add Subtract Multiply Divide Fractions Decimals % Use a calculator Time 24hr clock Hobbies and interests


ABE Assessment Reading Pre-Level

Task 1 Please read these letters

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n

Task 2

(a) Do you recognise these 4 words hot was all little (b) What do these signs stand for?

Pre-Level Reading


Literacy AssessmentABE Assessment Reading Level 1

Task 1

(a) Do you know what this is? What is it used for? (b) What numbers would you press to see the Sport page? (c) What page is Travel on?

Level 1 Reading


Level 2 ReadingABE Assessment Reading Level 2

Task 1 Please read this letter.

10 High St Cork 28 J anuary 2008 Hi Michelle

I hope that you're keeping well. I got your letter last

Thursday. I t was great to hear you got the job. I hope it goes

well f or you. Tell your brother that I was asking for him. I

hope you can get up to see me next weekend.

See you soon,

Lots of love,

J ohn.


Level 3 ReadingABE Assessment Reading Level 3

Task 1

Please read this story

Dublin Zoo was opened in 1830; up to this the I rish people

had never seen such fascinating animals. During the early

years London Zoo donated the animals to Dublin Zoo.

People rushed to catch a glimpse of wild and wonderful

creatures they had only heard about before.

The Zoo became a popular family destination in I reland; in

fact one day in 1838 the Zoo welcomed 20,000 visitors –

an attendance record that still stands to this day.

The Zoo opens all year round (except for Christmas Day

and St. Stephen’s Day) but most people visit during the

months of May, J une, J uly, August and September.


Assessment ReportAssessment Report

Name: _________________________________ DOB: _________________ Landing: _______________________________ Date: __________________ Please tick if completed

Reading Writing Numeracy

Task Pre L1 L2 L3 Pre L1 L2 L3 Pre L1 L2 L3

1

1

2

2

3

3

Comments

Reading

Writing

Numeracy

Spelling

Handwriting

Any other comments

Recommendations: (please circle) 1:1 Pair Group Spelling Group Handwriting Group FETAC 3


Progress PointsProgress Points

Name: _____________________________________ landing: ___________ DoB: _________________ Pris No_____________ Date: __________

Reading 1 2 3 4 5 Writing 1 2 3 4 5 Numbers 1 2 3 4 5 Letters Name Count money Birthday cards Address Check change Safety signs Alphabet (verbal) Understand weights Bills Half-sheet Measure; wood, cloth Phone Book Letter to family Use timetable Calendar Letter to solicitor Add TV Guide Telephone message Subtract Teletext Spelling Multiply Newspaper Handwriting Divide Magazines Capital letters Fractions Books Full stops Decimals % Use calculator Time/ 24hr clock

Comments/Clarifications

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1.Does easily/knows fully without hesitation/ assistance 2.Can complete/understand with minimal hesitation/assistance 3.Can complete /understand with more than minimal assistance 4.Cannot complete without substantial assistance 5.Cannot do or understand at present

Pace of Reading Slow( ) Moderate ( ) Fast ( ) Pace of Writing Slow( ) Moderate ( ) Fast ( )


Rationale

• Data• Allocation• Standardised• Progression• Inter- prison movement


Process (Wheatfield)

• Interview• Assessment• Allocation (appropriate tuition)• Follow up


Benefits/outcomes

• Better planning• Data• Organised• Continuity


Toe by Toe

Brian KenealyMountjoy Education Unit

Robbie Robinson Wheatfield Education Unit


Toe by ToeOverview

• Peer tutoring• One reading manual• No specialist skills required• Lessons short• Learner is in control

Toe by ToeMountjoy Pilot project

• Jan.-June• 1 morning each in main prison & medical unit.• Trained 10 mentors • 8 student participants

Toe by ToeMountjoy Pilot project

What we learned:• Good response from mentors and students• Turnover an issue• Dedicate more time• Need to establish study areas on landings:

resource implications.

Interactive Literacy

Jimmy O’RourkeHelen Cawley

Arbour Hill Education Unit


Documents

Literacy Provision in Dublin Prisons Stephen O’Connor Organiser CDVEC Educational Service to Prisons