Corrections Education addresses the needs of incarcerated adult offenders with educational skills that range from primary grade levels 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 and the University of Kansas Strategic Instructional Method (SIM) for writing. Based on the educational level of the assessment results students are placed in the appropriate coursework.

Courses are offered in three curricula areas:

• Foundational Skills (K-8 grade level): Foundational Skills (previously known as Basic and Living skills) 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 levels.
• Community High School of Vermont (CHSVT; high school level): Our 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.
• Career & Technical Education (post-secondary level): Career & Technical Education (CTE) (previously known as Workforce Readiness) course work include Industry Recognized Credentials (IRC) approved by the Vermont Agency of Education. Corrections Education provide course work designed to be in line with the needs of Vermont employers. Partnerships with CCV and UVM have developed incarcerated college courses and pathways for incarcerated students to access post-secondary enrollment during transition back to the community. This area will transition to Vocational Services. 

In FY23, 1805 classes in 43 courses in 10 major subject areas. More specifically, in FY23 there were the following total course registrations:

• Foundational Skills: 431
• CHSVT: 968
• Career & Technical Education: 406
• Total: 1805

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)

Career & Technical Education: Community College of Vermont (CCV), University of Vermont (UVM), Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), the Department of Labor (DOL), VocRehab Vermont, Center for Technology Essex

Foundational Skills: Corrections Education had developed a Student Special Services (S3) team that works state-wide to consult with educators and other RIS staff to assist in developing interventions that meet the needs of struggling adult learners.

CHSVT: CHSVT has adopted curriculum from McGraw Hill. All curriculum materials are aligned with the common core standards. Using a consistent curriculum across Corrections Education assists students who are moved between facilities to continue their personal learning plans.

Career & Technical Education: Offering post-secondary education is challenging because most of our students are working at the 7-8 grade level. Offering this coursework to those who are ready not only supports the individual working at this level but also motivates those work at the lower levels to know that they can achieve post-secondary certifications.

Foundational Skills: Continue to develop our S3 model and have all of RIS use the Focus Student Information System to collect data and communicate within our multi-disciplinary teams.

CHSVT: Corrections Education is working with ADS to develop an education network that will connect all correctional facilities and allow for more distance learning opportunities and allow students to access their education work at all facilities and in the community upon release.

Career & Technical Education: Corrections Education is developing multiple partnerships across the state to ensure that our workforce readiness curricula are aligned with industry standards and the needs of Vermont employers. This area will transition to Vocational Services.