Louisiana Educational Research Association: Theory of Andragogy Applied to Louisiana Peace Officer Standards Training

• In Event: The Consortium of State and Regional Educational Research Associations Distinguished Papers Session 1

Abstract

In Louisiana, a law enforcement officer completes the Peace Officer Standards Training (POST) basic academy and is an indicator of the academy program’s quality assurance. The Louisiana Peace Officer Standards Training council embarked on a statewide transition to the educational curricula and training utilizing the adult learning model founded upon the theories of andragogical learning practices discovered by Malcolm Knowles (1980). This research attempts to gain a greater understanding of the implementation and application of the principles of andragogy in the instruction of law enforcement POST basic academy instructors and to provide an improved learning experience applying the tenants of andragogy. This research is an assessment of the quality and effectiveness of this program.

Authors

• Karolyn Harrell, Northshore Technical Community College

• Laura Norman, Northwestern State University of Louisiana