Located in:
- Program-specific Requirements for Adult Education and Family Literacy Act Programs
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include a description of the following as it pertains to adult education and literacy programs and activities under title II of WIOA, the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA).
c. Corrections Education and other Education of Institutionalized Individuals
Describe how the eligible agency will, using the considerations specified in section 231(e) of WIOA and in accordance with 34 CFR 463 subpart C, fund eligible providers to establish or operate programs that provide any of the following correctional educational programs identified in section 225 of WIOA:
- Adult education and literacy activities;
- Special education, as determined by the eligible agency;
- Secondary school credit;
- Integrated education and training;
- Career pathways;
- Concurrent enrollment;
- Peer tutoring; and
- Transition to re-entry initiatives and other post release services with the goal of reducing recidivism.
Each eligible agency using funds provided under Programs for Corrections Education and Other Institutionalized Individuals to carry out a program for criminal offenders within a correctional institution must give priority to serving individuals who are likely to leave the correctional institution within 5 years of participation in the program.
Current Narrative:
Funds for eligible providers will be distributed on a competitive, direct, and equitable basis through the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, as described under Section 225 of WIOA for corrections education and Title II Subtitle C. The same grant announcement, application, evaluation, and process will be used for all proposals. The Adult Education Section shall not use less than 82.5 percent of the grant funds to award grants and contracts under section 231 and to carry out section 225, of which not more than 20 percent of such amount shall be available to carry out section 225.
Funds available under section 225 (a) (1) of the WIOA will be a multi-year grant cycle and awarded based on how applicants address how they have served or plan to serve those in institutional settings by providing Adult Education and Literacy Activities, working with Re-entry Populations, and offering short-term credentials and certifications through Integrated education and training (IET) or apprenticeships. Each eligible agency using funds provided under correctional education must prioritize serving those likely to leave the correctional institution within five years of participating in the program. Allocation of the available funds was based on the availability of funds, each eligible provider's enrollment, performance, and demonstrated effectiveness. Fifteen adult education providers were awarded Section 225 funds for the 2024-2025 Program Year.
All adult education providers must have a trained ADA Coordinator who specializes in screening individuals for disabilities and providing the appropriate referral and follow-up (State Requirement). As determined through the intake process, special education will provide appropriate and effective instructional and testing accommodations for students identified as having a disability. Peer tutoring, where students work in pairs or on projects or assignment-based instruction to help one another learn the material or practice an academic task, may also be an activity where providers can utilize Section 225 (a) (1) funds.
As mentioned, providers serving individuals in a correctional facility must offer adult education and literacy activities leading to a high school equivalent diploma and offer transition to re-entry initiatives and other post-release services to reduce recidivism. These services increase a student’s ability to achieve a secondary school diploma or equivalent, transition to postsecondary education and training, and obtain employment, which includes instruction and education services below a postsecondary level in reading, writing, speaking in English, and computing and solving problems. Those adult education and literacy activities will align with state standards in curriculum, state-approved programs, teaching practices, and adaptive career planning. This includes individuals seeking to enter or retain employment or receive specialized training after acquiring basic skills through Arkansas Adult Education.
In addition, the Workforce Alliance for Growth in the Economy (WAGE™), a job readiness program for unemployed and underemployed adults, which incorporates financial literacy, digital literacy, workforce preparation, and Career Pathways, shall be integrated into the curriculum (State Requirement). Some applicants offer nonreportable credentials, such as OSHA-10, Career Readiness Certificate, ServSafe, and WAGE.
Providers who receive correctional education funding are expected to offer integrated education and training and develop career pathways and apprenticeship opportunities where safe and applicable in the correctional environment (State Requirement). Programs are encouraged to use guidance and supportive services where possible and to provide education and training through cooperative efforts with providers in correctional settings.
A correctional institution includes any prison, jail, reformatory, work farm, detention center, halfway house, community-based rehabilitation center, or other similar institution designed for the confinement or rehabilitation of criminal offenders. A criminal offender is any individual who is charged with or convicted of any criminal offense.
In addition to any reports required by the Adult Education Section, each eligible correctional institution receiving funds under this section shall prepare and submit a progress report annually. Reports of progress shall include, but not be limited to, activities carried out under this section, the relative rate of recidivism, enrollment, educational gains and/or High School Equivalency outcomes, employment (sustainable wage), and employment retention (length of employment).