Education (Academic)
PROGRAMS
- Academic Outreach (Cell Study)
- Adult Basic Education
- Bilingual Program
- Certificate in Ministry and Human Services
- College Programs
- General Education Development (GED)
- Masters of Professional Studies
- Special Education Program
- Title I Program
ACADEMIC OUTREACH (CELL STUDY)
Description
The Academic Outreach (Cell Study) Program provides instruction, tutoring services, and materials to inmates at all levels from literacy through college studies. The program is provided to inmates who are not enrolled in a formal education program due to inability to function in a regular classroom or facility needs/security reasons; or who are in "limited access" areas of the facility (Hospital, SHU, RMU, Protection).
Goals
The objectives are the same as those for the regular, formal education programs and may include: literacy, high school equivalency diploma, English fluency, or college credit.
Curriculum
All instruction is based on individual needs and the curricula are appropriate to each inmates' level and program in one or more academic content area.
Admission Requirements
Participation is limited to inmates who do not have access to the regular academic program.
Assessment
The assessment processes used may be the same as those used by a comparable education program. In addition, college proficiency examinations may be utilized for college credit.
Locations
In any facility or area of a facility where inmate education needs cannot be met through regular classroom placement.
ADULT BASIC EDUCATION
Description
The Adult Basic Education Program provides individualized instruction to meet the needs of inmates who have reading and math scores below 6.0 on the Department's selected standardized test in the general areas of reading, mathematics, and language arts, in the context of real life adult problems and situations.
Goals
- To provide the inmate with skills or competencies necessary to function successfully in contemporary society.
- To enable the inmate to function at the sixth grade reading and mathematics level.
Admission Requirements
Reading and/or math level below 6.0 as measured by the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) standardized achievement test.
Assessment
Each inmate in the ABE Program is to be retested using the appropriate level of the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) (Form 9 or 10) three times per year.
Locations
Available at all General Confinement Facilities.
BILINGUAL PROGRAM
Description
The Bilingual Program provides individualized and group instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL) and Spanish, for inmates who are Spanish monolingual or Spanish dominant. Inmates who are monolingual or dominant in another language are provided with instruction in English as a Second Language.
Goals
- To prepare the monolingual, Spanish dominant inmate who is illiterate in his primary language, for ESL instruction by providing a foundation in the primary language.
- To prepare the Spanish dominant student for the Spanish GED exam.
- To provide bilingual Hispanic inmates an opportunity to develop basic skills in Spanish and to develop a better understanding of Hispanic and Anglo-American cultures.
- To provide the Limited English Proficient (LEP) inmate with the opportunity
to understand and to speak English fluently, achieve functional literacy,
write English at a satisfactory level, and learn the basic life skills necessary
for functioning in our society.
Curriculum
The Department of Correctional Services Bilingual Education Curriculum.
Admission Requirements
SPANISH ABE: Reading and/or math level below 6.0 as measured by the Spanish version of the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE Español). Spanish monolingual or Spanish dominant.
SPANISH GED: Reading and math levels above 6.0 as measured by the TABE Español, Level M.
ESL: English skills below Level 4 as measured by the NYS Place Test. At least 6.0 literacy level in Spanish per the TABE Español, Level M.
Assessment
FOR SPANISH ABE
Each inmate in the Bilingual and/or Adult Basic Education Program is to
be retested using the TABE Español Levels E and M, approximately
three times per year. A score of 6.0 in the TABE Español Level M
is required for promotion to Spanish GED.
FOR SPANISH GED
In order to take the GED in Spanish, each candidate must achieve a score
of 9.0 in Reading and Math on the SABE 6 and achieve a minimum total score
of 2300 (with a minimum score of 410 on each sub-test) on the official GED
Practice Test in Spanish.
FOR ESL
Each inmate will be retested approximately every 150 hours of instruction,
or every four months on the NYS Place Test. Life Skills and other language
areas can be assessed by a variety of instruments at the discretion of the
teacher. LEP inmates who obtain a level 4 on the NYS Place Test are retested
in reading on the TABE (in English) and remain in school until they reach
an English reading level of 6.0 on the TABE, Level M or pass the ESL portion
of the Spanish GED test.
Locations
Available at most General Confinement Facilities.
CERTIFICATE IN MINISTRY AND HUMAN SERVICES
Description
The Certificate in Ministry and Human Services is a one-year certificate program taught by community volunteers and under the coordination of Rising Hope, Inc. The first year students earn 33 potential college credits and may continue with more advanced courses for a second year.
Goals
The goal of the certificate program is to provide inmates the opportunity to take college courses.
Length
One year.
Admission Requirements
High School Diploma or Equivalency.
Assessment
Testing is conducted by staff from Rising Hope, Inc.
Locations
Eastern
Fishkill
Green Haven
Mid-Orange
Sing Sing
Woodbourne
COLLEGE PROGRAMS
Description
In addition to the New York Theological Seminary’s Masters of Professional Studies and Rising Hope Certificate in Ministry and Human Services Programs, several facilities offer college level credit-bearing courses for inmates who possess a verified GED or High School Diploma. These programs are privately funded and offer certificate, Associate and/or Bachelor degree programs. The length of these programs varies depending on the type of program and number of credits the inmate has prior to admission. Admission requirements and assessment also vary depending on the on-campus policies of each school.
Goals
To enable inmates to continue their education beyond the GED and work toward earning a college certificate or degree.
Admission Requirements
High School Diploma or Equivalency.
Locations
| Facility | College |
|---|---|
| Auburn | Cornell |
| Bedford Hills | Women's Prison Education Partnership |
| Eastern | Bard College |
| Sing Sing | Hudson Link |
| Taconic | Nyack College |
| Woodbourne | Bard College |
| Wyoming | Consortium of the Niagara Frontier |
GENERAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT (GED)
Description
The General Educational Development (GED) Program provides an individualized instructional program for inmates whose reading and math scores are above the sixth grade level (6.0), and who do not possess a high school credential. The program may be divided into a Pre-GED level (6.0-8.9) and GED level (9.0 and above). Enrollment in school is mandatory until the student earns a High School Equivalency Diploma.
Goals
To prepare the inmate for passing the test of General Educational Development, leading to the High School Equivalency Diploma.
Curriculum
The Department's GED Competency Curriculum is to be used. Instruction is provided in each of the content areas of the test of General Educational Development.
Admission Requirements
Pre-GED Level: Reading and math level above 6.0, as measured on the Department's selected standardized achievement test (TABE 9/10, Level M or D).
GED Level: Reading and math above 9.0 as measured by the designated standardized achievement test (TABE 9/10, Level D).
Assessment
At the Pre-GED level, the appropriate level of the TABE 9/10 is administered three times per year.
In order to qualify for the Official Practice Test (OPT), the student must obtain a minimum of 9.0 reading and math levels on the TABE, Level D.
The student must obtain a minimum total score of 2300, with a minimum of 410 on each subtest, on the Official GED Practice Test in order to be admitted to the GED test.
Certificate Issued
The NYS Education Department High School Equivalency Diploma will be issued upon attainment of a total passing score of at least 2250, with a minimum of 410 on each subtest.
Locations
Available at all General Confinement Facilities.
MASTERS OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
Description
The Masters of Professional Studies is a two year program of graduate level academic studies taught by the New York Theological Seminary at Sing Sing, followed by a one year commitment to carry out a self-designed program or activity.
Goals
To enable inmates accepted in the program to achieve a Masters Degree in Professional Studies preparing them for professional activity.
Length
Two years: one academic year (September - June); one year of post-graduation practical experience.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelors Degree.
- Written application endorsed by facility staff.
- Acceptance by seminary staff.
- Must meet placement requirements for Sing Sing Correctional Facility.
Locations
Sing Sing
SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
Description
The Special Education Program provides intensive one-on-one and small group instruction to students under 21 years of age identified as having a disability (i.e. mental retardation, learning disability or emotional disability). Instruction may be provided in a self-contained Special Education class, resource room or through the consultant teacher model.
Goals
To tailor learning activities to the diagnosed needs of students with a disability in order to enable them to achieve learning objectives, and where appropriate, to successfully participate in the regular academic program.
Curriculum
The Special Education Program, because of its supplemental nature, utilizes the curriculum provided in the student's regular academic program, Special Education Profile, and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) developed by the Committee on Special Education (CSE).
Admission Requirements
Students must have a disability and be age 21 and under.
Assessment
Psychoeducational and academic assessments are conducted. These assessments are defined in Directive #4805 and are appropriate to the students' disabilities as determined by the special education teacher, psychologist and the Committee on Special Education (CSE).
Locations
Bedford Hills
Coxsackie
Great Meadow
Greene
Hale Creek
Hudson
Mt. McGregor
Southport
Taconic
Washington
Wende
Wyoming
TITLE I PROGRAM
Description
Title I is a federally funded remedial education program for inmates age 21 and under that provides instruction in basic education skills to supplement the inmate's regular ABE, GED, or Occupational Training program.
The Title I Vocational and Career Counseling Program provides individual and/or small group exploration into the world of work. Interest and skill assessments are conducted to guide inmates in developing career and vocational plans for the post-release period. Transition plans are developed enhancing inmate awareness about preparing for re-entry and positive participation upon return to the community.
Title I is supported by the Department's Transitional Services Program, which provides programs that include, but are not limited to, anger management and transition to the community.
Goals
To provide basic skills instruction for neglected and delinquent youth, as a supplement to regular state-operated programs.
Curriculum
The curriculum for each component is consistent with the skills and objectives required in the state academic and vocational education programs which it supplements. The instructional activities in which the student engages will vary according to the component.
Placement Criteria
- Inmates age 21 and under (may or may not be Special Education eligible).
- Enrolled in a state-supported program.
- Lacks a high school credential.
Locations
Greene
Monterey Shock
Washington