One of the resources I could use in my lesson plan, which focuses on career exploration for incarcerated youth in juvenile correctional facilities, is https://bestaccreditedcolleges.org/resources/formerly-incarcerated-education-career-guide. The resources focus on how the learners can earn their degrees and get hired after incarceration. It recognizes the unique challenges that incarcerated youth face in their education and employment and, therefore, aims to guide them to overcome the obstacles while navigating their education and finding careers. There are various factors that make this resource responsive, as described by Muñiz’s (2021) article on embracing culturally responsive and sustaining instructional material. Aside from being high-quality, it has a close alignment to college and career-ready standards while representing the learners’ identities by directing them to the available resources that could lead them to further learning after incarceration, including financial aid and higher education packages. It also reifies the purpose of the students earning skills by assuring them of second chances in education and employment. Additionally, the resource answers the question of whether it calls the students to take action to effect changes within their schools, communities, and the larger society (New America, (n.d.). It calls on the students to secure their ID, get permanent addresses and phone numbers, get their GEDs, and learn how to handle college applications with criminal records.
Another resource that will be used as a responsive educational resource for my learners during the lesson can be found at https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/182787.pdf by the US Department of Justice. According to Muñiz (2021), the resource is responsive since it has aspects that adhere to the James Bank’s Four Levels of Curriculum. A responsive resource has to be transformative to enable students to view concepts from the perspective of diverse groups. The resource gives an overview of the juvenile justice system for readers who are not involved in the juvenile justice system. A resource also has to take social action for students to understand the important social issues and take actions to help solve them. The article addresses labor market opportunities and workforce development issues for learners to understand what they are likely to face and learn relevant skills to navigate the system. The resource also answers New America’s (n.d.) question on whether it makes a connection to the learners’ and community experiences and funds of knowledge. It also calls learners to take action to effect change in their transition from the juvenile justice system to their careers.
The resources support my curriculum by aligning with my lesson plan’s learning outcomes. One of the outcomes is for learners to analyze their situation to identify and understand the barriers to transition to college and careers. Resource by Best Accredited Colleges (2022) provides information on some of the challenges incarcerated youth encounter and provides them with guidance on re-entry programs. The resource by the US Department of Justice allows the incarcerated youth to apply the strategies and utilize the promising programs as they navigate the labor. In addition to supporting my curriculum, these resources have several benefits that it would bring to the learners. As noted, incarcerated youth face unique challenges when exploring life after incarceration. Most of them are unaware of the available opportunities at their disposal. The resources provide guidance and direction on where to go for financial aid, the need to pursue college, and important tips that could get them hired.
Reference
Best Accredited Colleges. (2022). How to Earn Your Degree and Get Hired After Incarceration. Bestaccreditedcolleges.org. https://bestaccreditedcolleges.org/resources/formerly-incarcerated-education-career-guide
Muñiz, J. (2021, August 24). Embracing culturally responsive and sustaining instructional materials. New America. https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/policy-papers/embracing-culturally-responsive-and-sustaining-instructional-materials
New America. (n.d.). Reflection guide for culturally responsive curricula. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1R0gOoM9vlu4A_TnUai9p7W5bAA88H2i1pOAXRigQlMQ/mobilepresent?slide=id.p1
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