The Education Unit of the RIS Division addresses the educational needs of incarcerated adult offenders with educational skills that range from special education, Adult Basic Education, Secondary Education, to early Post-Secondary levels. Incarcerated adult students are assessed for educational levels using the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) for reading and math. Based on the educational (National Reporting System, NRS) level of the assessment results students are placed in appropriate courses.

Courses are offered in three curricula areas:

• Foundational Skills/Adult Basic Education: Foundational Skills/Adult Basic Education courses are designed to meet the criminogenic and basic skills needs of our student population. Criminogenic needs courses are designed to work directly with the clinical services of Risk Intervention Services (RIS). Basic skills courses are designed to support adult learners who assess in the K-8 grade, NRS 3 and below levels.
• Community High School of Vermont (CHSVT; high school level): The DOC accredited high school, Community High School of Vermont (CHSVT) offers the full range of high school level courses. CHSVT is accredited by the New England Association School & Colleges (NEASC) and a Vermont Agency of Education approved Independent School.
• Post Secondary partnership with CCV: Incarcerated individuals who are referred to CCV (Community College of Vermont) courses are assessed for academic readiness. This process is the same for all RIS/Education services. Individuals who are ready for post-secondary coursework are registered into the course. Those who are not ready yet, are placed in coursework to prepare for post-secondary levels.

In FY24, 695 unique participants were assigned to 3,055 classes in 53 courses across all major subject areas.

Education Services partners with the following:

Foundational Skills: AOE Special Education, VocRehab Vermont

CHSVT: McGraw Hill, Vermont high schools and independent school, New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Adult Education and Literacy centers, and Community College of Vermont (CCV)

Foundational Skills: Over the past year, Education has collected data on participants who score NRS 3 or below on the CASAS Reading and Math. Education has developed specific coursework designed to help adults address skill gaps in academic areas of reading, writing, and mathematics.

CHSVT: At enrollment or intake, we ensure that participants are placed in the program that best supports their educational needs. This may mean taking foundational skills courses for those well below grade level to a combination of foundational and high school course work for those who are ready. CHSVT enrollment during FY24 included 271 unique individuals, the majority without a high school diploma. Students are considered high school diploma seekers until certification is confirmed through record requests sent to prior schools as part of the student enrollment process. CHSVT served 39 Adults with Diploma, 18 CHSVT Graduates, and 214 HSD Seekers.
The Education unit has adopted curriculum from McGraw Hill. All curriculum materials are aligned with the common core standards, and using a consistent curriculum across facilities ensures transferred students can pick up where they left off. 

Post-Secondary: In FY24, the department has hired a Post-Secondary Coordinator to track incarcerated individuals who are referred to post-secondary course work through CCV. Incarcerated individuals have many dynamic factors that present many challenges to post-secondary education. This is a new venture for correctional systems and collecting the data and talking to the students will help us learn how to best support their efforts. 

Foundational Skills: Continue to refine our support services model for all of RIS. Develop strategies within RIS and DOC to engage learners with disabilities and other learning barriers.

CHSVT: Continue working with ADS, First Light and Education Networks of America to develop an education network that will connect all correctional facilities and allow for more distance learning opportunities.

Career & Technical Education: Continue to develop the RIS Vocational Training Unit to better support the vocational and workforce development needs of incarcerated individuals.