
Inquiry Framework
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will understand the key components of humane and fair prison policies.
- Students will learn to identify and articulate diverse perspectives on prison policies.
- Students will evaluate the benefits and challenges of implementing humane prison policies.
- Students will develop skills to measure the effectiveness of humane prison policies.
- Students will analyze the societal impact of humane prison policies.
Common Core Standards
Common Core Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsSimulated Jail Experience
Students participate in a controlled, simulated jail experience where roles of inmates, guards, and policy makers are enacted. This role-playing exercise fosters empathy and stimulates dialogue on how prison environments can reform to be more humane.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioHumane Prison Policy Exploration Rubric
Critical Analysis
Evaluate the student's ability to analyze text resources and draw inferences about humane prison policies.Textual Evidence Integration
Assesses the student's ability to support analysis of prison policy texts with explicit and inferred textual evidence.
Exemplary
4 PointsConsistently integrates a wide range of textual evidence to support a sophisticated analysis of prison policies.
Proficient
3 PointsIntegrates sufficient textual evidence to support a thorough analysis of prison policies.
Developing
2 PointsUses some textual evidence with limited effectiveness to support analysis.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to integrate textual evidence and support claims effectively.
Perspective Articulation
Assesses the student's ability to identify and articulate diverse perspectives on humane prison policies.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides comprehensive articulation of multiple perspectives with clear rationales.
Proficient
3 PointsArticulates a range of perspectives with adequate explanations.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some perspectives with limited explanation or rationale.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify or explain perspectives on prison policies.
Collaborative Engagement
Assesses the student's participation and effectiveness in discussions about humane prison policies.Discussion Contribution
Evaluates the student's contributions to collaborative discussions on humane prison policies.
Exemplary
4 PointsLeads and enriches discussions with insightful comments and questions.
Proficient
3 PointsContributes meaningfully to discussions with relevant comments.
Developing
2 PointsParticipates occasionally with basic contributions.
Beginning
1 PointsParticipates minimally or not at all in discussions.
Presentation Skills
Assesses the student's ability to present proposals for humane prison policies effectively.Argument Presentation
Evaluates the logical sequencing and clarity in presenting proposals for humane prison policies.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents arguments with exceptional clarity, logical flow, and impactful details.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents coherent arguments with logical flow and appropriate details.
Developing
2 PointsPresents arguments with some clarity and logical flow, but lacks detailed support.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to present arguments coherently or logically.