Written by Laura Lawley on May 2, 2011.
Despite the fact that research has shown that education can lower the overall cost of incarceration by reducing recidivism, a recent reported released by the Institute of Higher Education Policy showed that just a small percentage of U.S. prison inmates were enrolled in some form of postsecondary education in the 2009-10 academic year.
The Chronicle of Higher Education noted that less than one-fourth of the credentials awarded to inmates were associate or bachelor’s degrees–most inmates earned vocational certificates. A total of 9,900 inmates were awarded certificates in 2009-10, whereas 2,200 received associate degrees and just 400 received bachelor’s degrees.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the authors of the report used the data to encourage greater access to higher education for inmates (the survey was part of a larger research project aimed at finding ways to increase postsecondary access to underserved populations).
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Written by Laura Lawley on August 4, 2010.
CDE wants more kids to eat breakfast
School districts will get some food for thought from the Colorado Department of Education, which is launching the School Breakfast Challenge to get more kids eating breakfast in the school programs.Colorado schools serve breakfast to about 101,000 children. All schools are automatically enrolled in the competition. Schools that increase participation will be eligible for cash prizes up to $5,000.Studies show that students who eat breakfast score better on standardized tests, have higher academic achievement, have fewer health problems and behave better in class.Districts participating in the national School Lunch Program receive federal reimbursement for school meals. They will be sent a tool kit compiled by the Western Dairy Association, which shows how to promote breakfast through such things as breakfast in the classroom, grab and go, breakfast after first period, breakfast on the bus and vending machines.
State assessing rural districts
The Colorado Department of Education is assessing the needs of rural school districts in an effort to better direct grant support.
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