About the Project

This project supports the creation of an Open Educational Resource (OER) textbook, workbook, and curriculum specifically designed for incarcerated students enrolled in public speaking courses at California State Prison, Los Angeles County, through Antelope Valley College. The materials will be tailored to the unique needs and lived experiences of imprisoned learners, addressing barriers such as limited access to technology, restricted educational resources, and the psychological impacts of incarceration. Unlike standard public speaking curricula, this OER will incorporate trauma-informed practices, culturally responsive content, and assignments adapted to the prison environment, while also featuring the voices of currently and formerly incarcerated individuals to ensure relevance and authenticity. The curriculum will foster communication skills that support personal growth and prepare students for reentry into society with confidence and purpose. Grant funding will support research, collaboration with formerly incarcerated educators, and the design, piloting, and distribution of these justice-oriented, accessible materials.