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Second Chance RBC: Data Analysis Project
Executive Summary
The main aim of the data analysis project is to determine the challenges affecting the second chance programs in Riverbed City. The project addresses how the children which have disciplinary issues and referred to the institution cope to the learning process. The project focused on various areas such religion, gender, ethnicity and place of stay. The data collected were analyzed using charts and pie charts to determine the findings of the project. the major findings include, first, many of the kids referred to the second chance were males. This means that more males were involved in disciplinary cases than females. Secondly, majority of the kids belonged to Latino ethnic group followed by Whites and then Black-Americans. Very few kids belonged to other ethnic’s groups. Finally, the findings on the religion of the kids at the Second chance RBC found that the majority were Christians followed by the Muslims then Hindus. In addition, the teacher’s attendance to the school program was about 92.73 percent (Ryan, Nutter & Hughes, 2020). The administrators as well as the shareholders should consider molding the behaviors of these students since the teachers are willing to attend to them.
Results and Findings
Demographic Description
In the fifth and sixth grades, the school is considered a middle school, and it is located in a suburban setting. There is just one principal in charge, and he or she is not assisted by any other members of the administration. She had three years of administrative experience under her belt at the time of the interview. There were eight non-certified teachers and seventeen certified instructors on staff during her tenure as principal in the 2017-2018 school year. Instructors in the fifth grade had an average of 9.4 years of experience, and teachers in the sixth grade had an average of 10.5 years of experience, according to the data (TRF Second Chances Program). It was found that, the average teacher attendance rate for the 2017-2018 school year was 92.73 percent. This is illustrated in the chart below;
From the figure above the number of teachers who attends the lessons in the second chance program are 92.73 percent while only 7.27 percent does not attend the school programs (TRF Second Chances Program). This indicates that the school is well managed such that the attendance is at its peak.
Gender
Of the 381 respondents who were interviewed when the data was collected, 202 respondents were males and accounted for about 53 percent while 179 respondents were females, this accounted to about 47 percent of the total population which was interviewed during the research project in the second chance school. This means that the majority of the students in the school were males than females. The difference is not very large with the difference just being about 23.
Ethnicity
The data was also collected according to the ethnicity of the learners enrolled for the program. The major ethnic groups which were interviewed include the Latino, African – American, the White and other ethnic groups. The findings from the interviews and the questionnaire are as shown in the figure below
Figure 3: Ethnic groups
According to figure 3 above, it was found that 62 percent of the respondents belonged to the Latino/Hispania ethnic group, 22 percent of the respondents belonged to the White, 13 percent were the Black-America and only 3 percent of the respondents belonged to other ethnic groups (E. B., 2014). This therefore means that the majority of the people who are in the second chance program came from the Latino ethnic group in the United States.
Religion
The respondent’s data were also collected regarding their religion and the data was presented in the chart below.
From the figure above it was found that majority of the respondents were Christians which accounted for 52 percent of the total population which were interviewed. This was followed Islam which accounted for 28 percent followed by Hinduism which accounted for 15 percent with only 5 percent of the respondents belonging to the other religions. This therefore means that Christianity is the most popular religion in the school more than other religions.
The poverty and financial status as well as the other characteristics of the students were also collected and the findings were; that every child, regardless of financial status, was offered free lunches, with 15 percent of the children having impairments, 1 percent studying English as a second language, and 1 percent living on the streets. This information is illustrated in the figure above (E. B. 2014, Jun 28).
Dropout Rate
Being that the kids in this school are faced with the cases of indiscipline, the dropout rate was also investigated to find out whether the kids which has already been referred or admitted in Second Chance RBC could drop out. The results are presented in the chart below
Considering the drop – out rate of the kids, it was found that the successful completion of the kids admitted to the Second Chance RBC was 76.5% while the drop- out rate was only 23.5%. this therefore indicates that the behavior of the kids enrolled in the school was able to be molded and thus enabling them to successful complete their education and have a better life.
Reasons for Drop – Out
The reasons for the drop-out was also investigated and the results illustrated in the pie chart below.
According to the analysis, it was found out that many kids dropped out due to their inability to cope to the tight rules regulating their behavior at school. This accounted for about 65%. 18% of the kids dropped out based on health ground, 12% dropped as a result of harsh environment while about 5% dropped out based on other reasons.
School Processes and Procedures for Data Analysis
It is customary for the school’s leadership team and principal to meet throughout the summer months following receipt of the school’s summative assessment report cards in order to review test results that have been received throughout the year (Clarke and Eck, 2011). The initial analysis is carried out by the team in order to determine the overall growth of pupils as well as their cumulative competency in the subject matter. This is followed by a review of the data and a division into topic areas and grade levels by the members of the team. As a result of the school’s composition of 5th and 6th graders who are transferring to a new school, teachers spend more time looking at data from the prior year’s fifth graders. To find out what we can learn from the data collected from the 5th grade, we break it down into domains, standards, strengths, and weaknesses to see what we can discover.
It is as a result of this that we are able to identify specific areas of need and build improvement programs for the students that participate. Teachers utilize this information to tailor education for pupils and to put them into groups based on their abilities, according to the information. The students who obtained the lowest grades are referred to as the bottom 25 percent of the student body (Ryan, Nutter and Hughes, 2020). They are placed in the tier process, which includes interventions from laboratories and consultants, among other things, to help them succeed. This knowledge is crucial when it comes to preparing for the upcoming school year’s instructional schedule. When it comes to achieving continuous improvement in performance, a school’s ability to work diligently to examine data and make knowledgeable instructional decisions is critical. The technique is time-consuming, yet it is beneficial to the development of kids despite its inefficiency. All assessments, including benchmark exams, should be conducted in accordance with this protocol by teachers throughout the year. If students and teachers continue to follow this approach, the school will witness a considerable improvement in the overall quality of the education provided there.
Limitations of the data analysis project
There are various limitations of the project. these limitations include; First, the aims and objectives of the study were too broad that the findings could not be used to address the individual learner in the second chance program. The aims and objectives of the study needs to be narrowed down to help improve the quality of the study. Secondly, due to the data collection methods used and the scope of the study which was limited to the second chance program, the sample size for the study was too small such that the statistical tests could not be used to address the challenges in the broader perspective. This sample size also made it insufficient creation of relationship within the datasets. The datasets therefore need to determined such that they are able to address the research problem and to provide an accurate result which can be used to find solutions the same problems in future. Finally, there was lack or insufficient information available in the literature for the research area, and if there are then the foundations were built to achieve the researchers research objectives in the research area which may not be used to achieve the results of this study. With these limitations the results of the data analysis project may not provide an extensive application to a broader area since the project was carried out to address the challenges of an institution. In addition, for a better results generation in the future, there need of developing general objectives which shall provide the researcher with a larger dataset and scope so that the results obtained may be beneficial to a stakeholder as well as other institutions who may want to address similar problem. Furthermore, the research project may be part of the literature which the other researchers may refer when dealing with the research project in the same research area.
Ethical considerations
Research ethics are the codes that guide and govern the way in which one does scientific research in the scientific community. They can develop in studies involving both animal and human participants, as in this case. One of the ethical problems I will have to deal with is the concept of informed consent. It is my responsibility to guarantee that the participants are fully informed about the research project. It will be my responsibility to ensure that study participants understand the implications of their participation in the study. A written informed permission will be required from each participant before they can participate in the study. The two steps that will be required are providing information and gaining consent. Another ethical consideration is the fact that participants are choosing to take part. It is my responsibility to ensure that study participants are not pressured into participating in the study. Participants should be given the option to withdraw from study if they no longer wish to participate (Leedy et al, 2018).
Participants in study should not be subjected to any psychological or physical harm as a result of their participation. They should not be subjected to any form of discomfort, stress, or worry. The ethical considerations have been addressed by ensuring that participants are provided with enough information about how participating in research would influence their health and well-being. Participants have also been asked to provide written informed permission before to taking part in the study. They have received excellent care, and the importance placed on their well-being has been recognized (Maurielo, 2014). Those who do not wish to participate in the research have been given the opportunity to depart. I’ve learned that it’s critical to avoid ethical lapses when conducting scientific research. When conducting research, it is not acceptable to breach ethical values. It is possible that ethical transgressions will result in legal consequences. They may also have a negative impact on the overall quality of the research done.
Recommendations
I am recommending to the authorities that the second chances programs be implemented throughout the criminal justice system in Pennsylvania, including the state prison system. At the moment, it appears as though only a few of these programs are offered in Massachusetts. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that these types of activities have a beneficial effect on offenders. They have learnt about responsibility, compassion, and, for many, how to feel compassion and love via the use of SECOND CHANCE PROGRAMS. Additionally, as Einstein remarked, these second chances for convicts and animals help both the criminal and the animals. Recidivists and the jail population are a source of concern throughout the United States, including in this case, Pennsylvania. Similarly, one could say the same thing about the population of abandoned and unwanted individuals (Willison et al., 2018). Both of these people are on the lookout for something. Second chance initiatives, such as the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s (TRF) Second Chance Program and the Jailhouse Individuals Second Chance Program, have been shown to benefit kids housed in detention facilities. Nonviolent offenders who are allowed to participate develop life skills, take on responsibilities, and may even find work as a result of these programs. The benefits of these types of Second Chance Programs outweigh the drawbacks. In terms of costs to the Commonwealth, the Second Chance Act offers specific money to assist in mitigating those costs. Similarly, to Einstein, a relationship with people’s sanctuaries and shelters can be created. Funds may also be contributed by private persons and corporations (Robinson, 2013). Reduced recidivism saves money, and taxpayers may save millions of dollars every year as a result. Veterans and other animal handlers as well as teachers almost certainly would volunteer their time and expertise, allowing them to save even more money. This is a viable strategy that will be profitable in the long run. Criminal activity is a fact of life, as is the presence of offenders. Individuals who have experienced disorientation due to a variety of factors (Liberman, 2021). The solution does not entail abandoning these individuals and concentrating exclusively on punishment rather than rehabilitation. Additionally, it does not lay in merely reducing recidivism. If offenders are provided with tools, they have a better chance of rehabilitating. Additionally, they will have a better chance of comprehending why what they did was wrong, of beginning again, and of becoming a benefit to the community.
References
Clarke, R. V., & Eck, J. E. (2011). Crime analysis for problem solvers in 60 small steps.
Liberman, A., Hussemann, J., & McKeever, B. (2021). Juvenile Second Chance Act Participation in Virginia: Impact on Rearrest, Reconviction, and Reincarceration. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 60(3), 196-214.
Mauriello, T. (2014, Jun 13). PRISON RECIDIVISM RATE FALLING IN PA. OFFICIALS CITE MORE TRANSITION PROGRAMS. Pittsburgh Post – Gazette
Robinson, M. B. (2013). Crime prevention. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. State-by-State Data. (2016). The Sentencing Project.
Ryan, J., Nutter, C., & Hughes, P. (2020). A Second Chance at Success: Retention Through Provisional Admissions Programs.
The, E. B. (2014, Jun 28). The second chance act proves its worth. The New York Times
TRF Second Chances Program – Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. (n.d.).
Willison, J. B., Rossman, S., Lindquist, C., Walters, J. H., Lattimore, P. K., Reginal, T., … & Yahner, J. (2018). Second Chance Act Adult Offender Reentry Demonstration Projects: Collaboration and Reentry Partnerships. Annotation.