DEVELOPING MATHEMATICAL LITERACY WITH YOUNG PRISONERS


Published: Jun 26, 2025
Keywords:
prison education, mathematics education, young prisoners, 'conventional' school within prison, participatory action research, transformations, intercultural education
Ioannis Fovos
Abstract

Research has highlighted the importance of prison education, especially mathematics education, given the role of mathematics in our technology-oriented age. In the Greek context, research on mathematical education of young prisoners is limited to non-existent. The aim of this research paper is to find best practices in the teaching of mathematics - and at the same time the professional development of the teacher - and the objective is to develop mathematical literacy through dialogical processes in order to enhance the active participation of young prisoners in a context where disciplinary discourse and power relations are blunted. Utilising critical participatory "action-research" approach appeared to improve young prisoners' participation and achievement in mathematics, as well as the teacher-researcher's teaching practice.

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