SACRAMENTO---Fifty-five youth from the Mary B. Perry High
School, located inside the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility in Camarillo,
today received high school diplomas or GEDs, approximately one-third of the
youthful offenders who will complete their education this year in the state
Division of Juvenile Justice.
The graduations continue a trend of increasing academic
achievement even as the offender population in DJJ has decreased, while data
compiled for courts overseeing the education program show math and reading
scores similar to those of students in public school districts.
“Rehabilitation is the primary objective of our juvenile
justice program and a high school education is the foundation for building a
successful life,” noted Matthew Cate, CDCR Secretary. “Over the last seven years, with guidance
from court-appointed experts, we have strengthened our education program to
ensure that when these youth return to the community, they are more prepared to
be constructive citizens.”
The DJJ operates high schools in each of its three
correctional facilities that are accredited by the Western Association of
Colleges and Schools and with curriculum that meets all California Department of
Education Standards. DJJ students attend
the same full day of school as students in public high school. In
addition, students received supplemental services, such as English Learner
curriculum or individual special education plans.
Recent data compiled for the court that oversees DJJ’s
programs show a steady increase in the proportion of youth receiving diplomas
or GED’s despite a significant decrease in the youthful offender population
over the same amount of time.
In addition, 205 youth were enrolled in college courses in
the 2010/11 school year, compared to 363 in 2004/05 when the DJJ population was
three times larger.
That progress also is revealed in math and English scores
for DJJ youth in the California High School Exit Exam. Recent test scores show that DJJ youth passed
the math and English portion of the exam at 32 percent and 24 percent,
respectively. Scores for students in the
Fresno Unified School District were 19 percent in both subjects while students
at Grant Union High School District near Sacramento passed at a rate of 30 and
33 percent, respectively.
Forty-four youth received graduation diplomas from the N.A.
Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility in Stockton earlier this month and those
from the O.H. Close Youth Correctional Facility, also in Stockton, will receive
diplomas in October.
###
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June
22, 2012
Contact:
Bill Sessa (916) 445-4950
Karette
Fussell (805) 485-7951
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