They then prepare a professional research paper outlining the similarities and differences they have observed between the data and their field notes and giving research-based recommendations for increasing the effectiveness of prevention programs. Their observations and suggestions include those made from the perspective of their residents. Students also make a presentation in Gossett s gym for all the participants of the program the residents, IC students, teachers, administrators, and staff. Each IC student explains what he or she has learned from his or her resident. This comes from the narrative portion of their portfolios.
Students often explain their preconceived ideas about juvenile offenders, race, and class.
They often compare their childhood and school experiences, finding remarkable differences and often surprising similarities. It s an opportunity for IC students to examine their position of privilege and begin to come to terms with how that impacts life opportunity and experience. Residents of Gossett also prepare and read a statement describing what they have learned from their conversations with the Ithaca College students. These are also very thoughtful and moving, according to Bentley and her students. The only people they come in contact with are staff inside the facility and other residents.