Educational Practices, Procedures, and Placement

Idaho
Department
of Correction
Standard
Operating
Procedure
Title:
Educational Practices, Programs,
and Placement
Page:
1 of 8
Control Number:
607.012
Version:
5
Adopted:
07/07/2006
Liz Neville, Chief of the Division of Prisons approved this document,
and it was published on 10/14/2026.
SCOPE
This standard operating procedure (SOP) applies to all residents under the
jurisdiction of the department and participating in educational programming.
Version Summary
Version 5: Replaces and renumbers previous SOP 607.23.01.012 v4.0. Updates
terminology, requirement to log correspondence courses, and adds references to
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Scope ................................................................................................... 1
Table of Contents .................................................................................... 1
A. Legal Authority ................................................................................... 2
B. Board of Correction IDAPA Rule ............................................................. 2
C. Governing Policy Statement .................................................................. 2
D. Purpose ............................................................................................. 2
E. Responsibility ..................................................................................... 2
F. Definitions .......................................................................................... 3
G. Standard Procedures ........................................................................... 3
1. Introduction ....................................................................................... 3
2. Identification of Educational Needs ......................................................... 4
3. Educational Programs .......................................................................... 4
4. Correspondence Courses ...................................................................... 5
5. Library .............................................................................................. 5
6. Qualified Personnel .............................................................................. 5
7. Classroom Instruction .......................................................................... 6
8.Attendance......................................................................................... 6
9. Education for Segregated, Restricted or Suspended Residents .................... 6
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10. Resident Achievement ........................................................................ 6
11. Reporting, Accountability, and Improvement .......................................... 6
12. Access to Resident Educational Records by Department Personnel ............. 8
H. References ......................................................................................... 8

A. LEGAL AUTHORITY
1. Idaho Code § 20-217A, Appointment of Director – Salary – Powers and Duties
2. Idaho Code §20-241, Acceptance of Federal or Other Funds or Property
3. Idaho Code §20-244, Government and Discipline of the Correctional Facility
– Rules and Regulations
4. Idaho Code §33-123, Education for Inmates Under Jurisdiction of the
Department of Education
B. BOARD OF CORRECTION IDAPA RULE
None
C. GOVERNING POLICY STATEMENT
1. The Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) provides programs which
promote change and successful reintegration of residents into the
community.
2. IDOC does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender, race, sex,
creed, or national origin. Considerations for the approval or denial of
programs includes, but is not limited to, the capability of the department to
provide programs and the eligibility of the resident.
3. Nothing in this policy statement will establish any right under state or federal
law to programming or education for residents.
D. PURPOSE
To identify standards and requirements for educational practices of the Robert
Janss School (RJS), the department’s education program.
E. RESPONSIBILITY
1. Education Program Director
a. Cooperate with the Idaho State Board of Education in the education of
residents under the jurisdiction of the Board of Correction.
b. Provide structure and guidance for RJS.
c. Oversee, support, and develop education program managers, faculty, and
staff.
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Idaho Department of Correction
2. Education Program Manager
a. Work with facility heads to implement this SOP.
b. Supervise, support, and develop faculty and staff.
c. Ensure residents have equal access to classes regardless of race,
disability, sex, age, color, national origin, creed, religion, sexual
orientation, ancestry, or any other legally protected classification.
d. Ensure safety, discipline, and orderly learning environment.
e. Provide access to safety training and facility orientation.
f. Work with other facility management teams (programs and security) to
develop a schedule that includes best use of resources and makes
education programs available to residents when residents can attend. This
may include non-traditional hours.
g. Monitor school capacity and resident needs to develop and maintain
appropriate classroom and resident-instructor ratio.
3. Facility Heads
a. Oversee the implementation of this SOP.
b. Provide security staff sufficient to create a safe learning environment.
F. DEFINITIONS
1. Correctional Management System (CMS): A digital platform used by
correctional agencies to store, manage, and analyze comprehensive data
about individuals throughout their entire criminal justice process, including
intake, sentencing, incarceration, parole, and probation, allowing for
informed decision-making regarding their supervision and rehabilitation. This
includes systems such Atlas.
2. Resident: A person who has been convicted of a crime against the laws of
the state and ordered into the care and custody of the Board of Correction.
Resident includes any use in Idaho law, Board of Correction rule, or IDOC
policy or procedure of the terms “offender(s),” “prisoner(s)”, “inmate(s)”,
“incarcerated person(s)”, or any other term referring to a person residing in
a correctional facility in the care and custody of the Board of Correction.
G. STANDARD PROCEDURES
1. Introduction
a. The Robert Janss School District #671 (RJS) is a special services school
district responsible for complying with accreditation standards of the
Idaho State Department of Education.
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b. The RJS mission and vision align with IDOC’s mission, vision, values, and
policies and the Idaho Content Standards. Department stakeholders
collaboratively develop the guiding principles for education and review
them periodically.
c. Department policy governs administration of education, program
development and improvement, resident management, staff
development, and daily program operations.
d. The department provides a budget for the system-wide educational
organization and allocates funding for the school and to the correctional
educational programs.
i. Grants supplement operating expenses of the school and may provide
curriculum, testing materials, and training opportunities.
e. RJS offers courses and training for residents as a path to successfully
transition to community postsecondary programs, job training programs,
or self-sustaining jobs.
f. RJS supports the department’s mission by:
i. Focusing on relevant academic, vocational, and reentry skills using best
practices.
ii. Providing opportunities for knowledge and credentials required by the
job market.
iii. Integrating basic skills and technical instruction.
iv. Providing challenging and engaging instruction.
g. RJS staff cooperate with security staff to maintain a safe learning
environment. Maintaining discipline and positive resident behavior
improves learning opportunities. Providing a productive climate and
culture is essential to resident achievement.
2. Identification of Educational Needs
a. The department evaluates all residents upon entrance for educational
needs through primary assessments using the Test of Adult Basic
Education (TABE).
b. Staff must log TABE results in the CMS.
3. Educational Programs
a. Residents can earn internal and external certifications and diplomas that
reflect academic and industry standards.
b. Programs are based on the needs of the residents, the needs of
employers, and the ability of the facilities to provide the training.
c. The education program director must review and approve all education
programs.
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d. Instruction criteria meet Idaho Department of Education standards and
IDOC policies.
e. RJS provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA) for residents with qualifiable and documented
disabilities to include Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) as a legal
right under IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act that requires
schools to provide special education and related services at no cost while
ensuring personalized instruction as appropriate.
f. English Language learner residents may be provided reasonable
accommodations to take educational classes (per the Idaho Special
Education Manual).
g. Education enrollment takes into consideration the ability of the resident to
benefit from achievement, benefit to society, and the ability of the
department to deliver the instruction necessary to complete the goals.
h. Classes will be scheduled at times that allow the most residents to attend
taking into consideration any security needs of the facility.
i. Residents are expected to attend and engage in their educational
programs.
4. Correspondence Courses
a. Correspondence courses, attendance, and completions should be noted the
CMS.
b. The department provides no funding for correspondence courses.
c. Education staff may proctor testing.
d. Correspondence courses and materials must comply with SOP 402.001,
Mail Handling in Correctional Facilities.
5. Library
a. Each residential facility maintains a library for residents to use according to
facility rules.
b. Each facility regulates access to public libraries and interlibrary loans.
6. Qualified Personnel
a. All education staff of RJS must be qualified through educational
certification and continuing education to maintain certification.
b. All education staff must create yearly professional development plans and
participate in professional learning communities to promote ongoing
improvement of curriculum and instruction.
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7. Classroom Instruction
a. Instructors must provide instruction as outlined by RJS administration
including curricula and competencies.
b. Instructors will use instructional materials that align with the curriculum
and are of high quality. Use of other materials requires approval of the
education program director.
c. Instructors must comply with copyright laws regarding the copying of
materials for classroom use.
d. Program managers and instructors will provide an environment that
maximizes learning.
e. Guest speakers require approval of an education program manager or
other facility leadership per facility guidelines.
f. Instruction is limited to core subjects, unless specifically authorized by the
education program director.
8. Attendance
a. Residents are expected to be on-time and attend classes regularly until
they achieve their educational goals.
b. Excused absences may include the following: legal, medical, and staff
excused.
c. Education staff take attendance for each class and must enter data into the
CMS weekly.
9. Education for Segregated, Restricted or Suspended Residents
a. Segregated, restricted, or suspended (SRS) residents have limited access
to educational services.
b. The education program manager addresses educational concerns from SRS
residents.
10. Resident Achievement
a. Staff are responsible for systematic collection, analysis, and use of data to
provide continuous improvement in resident performance and for entering
this information accurately in the CMS.
b. To recognize and celebrate residents’ success, the RJS schedules regular
graduations or other celebrations approved by administration at all
facilities.
11. Reporting, Accountability, and Improvement
a. Instructors:
i. Enter education data in the CMS at least bi-weekly.
ii. Monthly run a report to ensure the accuracy of entered data.
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b. Education Program Managers:
i. Monthly meet with instructors to discuss data entry in the CMS and
ensure it is accurate and within required timelines.
ii. Provide monthly reports to the education program director on the
following:
1) Resident academic progress
2) Attendance
iii. Conduct formal and informal classroom observations and evaluations
at least two times each year.
iv. Discuss observations with each instructor in their annual department
evaluation.
v. Hold regular staff meetings and keep minutes for accreditation.
c. Education Program Director:
i. Monthly provide a report on program outcomes to the deputy chief of
prisons.
ii. Prepare an annual report on program outcomes for prisons leadership.
iii. Coordinate staff development opportunities that may include
recertification credits.
iv. Visit each site annually.
v. Maintain a personnel file for each faculty member with current
credentials.
vi. Hold agency-wide managers’ meetings at least quarterly and submit
minutes to the deputy chief of prisons.
vii. Conduct audits and monitor reports from the CMS on a quarterly basis
to ensure accuracy and completeness.
viii. Collaborate with facility head to designate an intermediary supervisor
for any residential facility that does not have an education program
manager.
ix. Apply accreditation standards.
x. Maintain a procedure for education program evaluation.
xi. Evaluate academic and professional-technical programs.
xii. Develop and maintain plans for program improvement and
accountability.
xiii. Apply for each accreditation cycle.
xiv. Monitor facilities for continued improvement of technology.
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12.Access to Resident Educational Records by Department Personnel
a.Federal law (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. §
1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) prohibits any educational agency or institution
that receives federal funding from disclosing a resident’s educational
records without the resident’s written consent.
b.Personnel accessing resident records must:
i.Use and access resident records for educational purposes only and
obtain a resident’s written consent before disclosing records (and any
information contained therein) to the public or third parties.
ii.If it is not reasonably practical to limit access to specific department
personnel, then all personnel having access to resident educational
records must be advised of legal restrictions and obligations. The
department training unit and site education program managers are
responsible for this duty.
H.REFERENCES
1.Cited Documents
a.SOP 402.001, Mail Handling in Correctional Facilities
b.Idaho Department of Education, Special Education Manual |
https://www.sde.idaho.gov/about-us/departments/special-
education/special-education-manual/
2.Other Significant Documents
a.Americans with Disabilities Act | https://www.ada.gov
b.Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part
99 | https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-A/part-99?toc=1
c.Idaho Content Standards | https://www.sde.idaho.gov/about-
us/departments/content-and-curriculum/idaho-content-standards/
d.Individuals with Disabilities Education Act | https://sites.ed.gov/idea/
e.Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act | https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-
policy/individuals-disabilities/section-504
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