Reentry Education Tool Kit

Education Services

Guidelines

Reentry education includes adult education, career and technical education, postsecondary education, and such other evidence-based approaches as cognitive-based instruction. Providers also should consider adopting the career pathways approach; creating integrated education and training (IET) programs; integrating employability skills into the curriculum; developing student recruitment and retention strategies; and using advanced technologies to enhance instruction and improve students' digital literacy skills.

Career Pathways

Reentry education providers should identify existing career pathways or develop new pathways for their students. Career pathways include many of the same components as the Reentry Education Framework—partnerships, service alignment, and multiple entry and exit points.

Integrated Education and Training Programs

Reentry education providers should seek to connect students with integrated education and training (IET) programs that combine basic skills and workforce instruction. IET programs may be offered in correctional facilities and in the community.

Employability Skills

Reentry education providers should seek to integrate employability skills—the general skills necessary for success in all jobs—into their instruction, or to develop a program focused specifically on these skills.

Establishing a Partnership Agreement

Reentry education providers should develop a plan for:

  • Recruitment in prisons: Identify students most likely to benefit from educational programming.
  • Recruitment in jails: Raise awareness of community programs and offer accelerated training opportunities.
  • Recruitment in community-based programs: Refer students to community partners and regularly follow up with students.
  • Student retention: Provide wrap-around services and engage former students as mentors.

Educational Technology

Providers should consider one of the following secure approaches to give students and staff access to online resources:

  • Disconnected Internet: Providing access to offline files identified by facility staff.
  • Point-to-Point: Operating a secure line between the facility and a vendor.
  • Restricted Access: Allowing only permitted content to be viewed.

Tools

Educational Technology in Corrections Handout

This graphic illustrates findings from a brief on using educational technology in corrections and describes three common approaches and the benefits and challenges of adopting technology in correctional facilities.

Resources