CMF earns distinguished school designation

December 11, 2023

Mountain Oaks Adult Education Center (MOAEC), a program serving incarcerated students in California Medical Facility (CMF), was recognized as a California Distinguished School in a celebration Tuesday, Dec. 5.

“Every single learner has a different background and experiences with learning. CMF has established itself as distinguished because the educators here wholeheartedly believe in all students,” said Shannon Swain, CDCR’s Superintendent of Education. “The school’s incredibly skilled education leaders are committed to supporting students through innovative programing and stellar collaboration, ensuring success. This is also possible because of community partners, CDCR custody and education staff who come together to make these life-changing opportunities possible.”

Distinguished schools criteria

The honor was developed by CDCR to recognize and promote exemplary academic achievements within CDCR’s adult schools.

Applicants are evaluated based on their performance in 10 areas acknowledged by federal and state leaders. These are considered the essential elements of a great school:

mission
communication
climate and culture
professional learning and collaboration
implementation of curriculum
instructional practices
student support
achievement data
budgets
and facilities.

CMF generally houses incarcerated people with long-term medical needs. MOAEC is being recognized for meeting the unique needs of these students, immersing them in relevant, rigorous, and valuable education programs to improve lives and increase engagement.

Each MOAEC teacher is trained to motivate and factor each student’s learning style into their lesson plan and guided practice. Teachers use the topic, the environment and the content to deliver to all individual learners in the classroom.

Every CMF student enrolled in an MOAEC program attended the ceremony alongside CDCR staff and stakeholders. There were also speeches from CDCR’s Superintendent of Education, MOAEC’s principal, CMF’s Warden and others.

During the ceremony, students enrolled in MOAEC courses shared their experiences in pursuing their education.

“I feel valued as a student and a collaborative member of a team,” one student speaker said. “I am eager to show up and work hard every day to be the best student I can. Beyond the books, education and the support and encouragement has had an immense impact on my personal growth.”

About Mountain Oaks Adult Education Center

MOAEC strives to engage students and staff in relevant, rigorous, and valuable education programs to support academic and career achievement, improve lives, and engage students at the highest levels. All teachers are well and trained in the accommodations needed to meet the needs of all students and provide insight based on their previous experience, their priorities, and their perspective to ensure success.

Currently, MOAEC at CMF serves over 200 students in Adult Basic Education through GED classes, over 200 students in the college program, over 200 students in the Peer Mentor Literacy Program (PLMP) and about 100 students in the Career Technical Education program.

CDCR’s ‘grade school to grad school’ commitment

Education programs are available within every CDCR institution. These programs are transformative, and the department remains committed to expanding and continually improving upon them to meet the rehabilitative needs of incarcerated students.

CDCR provides a wide range of instruction to meet the needs of incarcerated students including basic literacy, elementary education and the opportunity to acquire a GED or high school diploma. To extend education opportunities, CDCR partners with California’s public higher education system to offer associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees through the California community colleges, the California State University, and the University of California.

About 13.5% of the entire incarcerated population are enrolled in college courses.

Education as a powerful rehabilitative tool

Studies show that incarcerated individuals who participate in correctional education are 48% less likely to return to prison within three years than those who didn’t take advantage of these opportunities.