Date of Award
Spring 2026
Document Type
Open Access Dissertation
Department
Educational Studies
First Advisor
Terrance McAdoo
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative study is to understand how the school system supports students of incarcerated parents for success and functionality post-graduation. To gather data, interviews were held with an upper elementary aged student, their teacher, and the parent of the student who was incarcerated at the time of the interview. In addition to interviews, observational notes and work samples of the student were collected. The results indicated that students of incarcerated parents are lacking consistent systemic structures within the educational system. In addition, the study revealed that teachers are also lacking knowledge in trauma-informed practices. Furthermore, the results in this study outline the importance of having proactive and structured supports in place to ensure that students impacted by parental incarceration are not only academically capable of success but also emotionally and socially prepared for life post-graduation.
Keywords: parental incarceration, generational incarceration, systemic interventions, mentorship, emotional well-being, preparedness, functionality
Rights
© 2026, Susanmarie Ames Miles
Recommended Citation
Miles, S. A.(2026). Beating the Odds: How the School System Helps Prepare Students Of Incarcerated Parents for Success and Functionality. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/8830