Frequently Asked Questions

The following are some frequently asked questions about the Correctional Education Data Guidebook.

1. What is the purpose of the Correctional Education Data Guidebook?

The purpose of the Guidebook is to build consensus around a common language for gathering and reporting state correctional education data. A common language will:

• Help states share information about exemplary practices, track trends in educational programming and inmate participation, and identify gaps in services and areas in need of improvement.
  
• Facilitate the collection of correctional education data at the national level.
  
• Improve the quality and accuracy of national research.
  
• Make it easier to establish a clearer link between correctional education and recidivism.
  
• Enhance reporting to policymakers about the status and benefits of correctional education.
  
  

2. Who can benefit from using the Guidebook and Correctional Education Data Network?

The Guidebook and website are designed to serve as reference tools for state correctional education administrators working to strengthen their management information systems. These tools also may be useful to policymakers and researchers interested in the collection, management, reporting, and analysis of correctional education data.

3. How were the policy issues and variables identified and developed for the Guidebook?

The variables were developed with the guidance of a working group composed of correctional education administrators in 12 states—California, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Vermont—and representatives of the Bureau of Justice Statistics and Federal Bureau of Prisons. The working group convened in a series of conference calls in which policy issues and variable definitions and coding instructions were reviewed and modified. Representatives from Arizona, Connecticut, Michigan, Minnesota, and Oregon, and various experts in the field also provided some guidance.

4. Is the Guidebook a data collection tool?

The Guidebook and website are designed to serve as reference tools, not as data collection instruments.

5. Are the variables in the Guidebook required by the federal government?

The Guidebook does not reflect any type of federal data maintenance requirement. Rather, it should be considered a flexible tool that can be modified and improved as feedback is received from states and states’ capacity to collect and report correctional education data is strengthened.

6. Does the Guidebook provide instructions for required reports under federal funding programs such as the Title I Neglected and Delinquent Program and the National Reporting System for Adult Education?

While every attempt was made to align the Guidebook with the variables and definitions used for the Title I Neglected and Delinquent Program and the National Reporting System, it does not directly address either federal funding program. For reporting instructions, please reference the specific guidelines, requirements and definitions provided within these and other State and federal funding programs.

7. Is the Guidebook intended for use in juvenile justice schools?

This resource was specifically designed for adult correctional schools, not juvenile schools. It is not recommended for use in the juvenile justice setting.