Adult Education Programs (GED):
Programs in which certified academic teachers provide mathematics, reading, language, workforce readiness instruction to inmates with low academic skills. Students' academic levels are assessed on a regular basis and inmates are afforded the opportunity to secure general educational development (GED) diplomas. Adult education programs are operated at 69 correctional facilities, and include all of the following:

Exceptional Student Education:

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires the department to provide a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment to exceptional students. Exceptional students are students under twenty-two (22) years of age who have a previous special education history, have yet to obtain a high school diploma, continue to need special education and related services to benefit from participation in an educational assignment, consent to receive special education services, and have a current transition plan/individualized education plan.  Exceptional student education services are provided in education programs at 18 correctional facilities

Close Management Education:

Certified academic teachers provide close management inmates both cell-front and correspondence-study instruction in mathematics, reading, language, and workforce readiness skills at 5 correctional facilities.

Inmate Teaching Assistant Education (ITA):

Academic education services are provided at 41 correctional facilities by utilizing trained Inmate Teaching Assistants (ITAs) working under the direction and supervision of a certified academic teacher.

Local Education Agency (LEA)-Operated Education Programs:

Federal grant-funded adult education programs provided by county school districts or community colleges are operating at 3 correctional facilities.

Volunteer Literacy Programs:
Volunteer Literacy Programs utilize citizen volunteers and/or inmate teaching assistants, who have received tutoring training to assist inmates in improving their educational abilities. Programs are supervised by correctional staff and are operational as an after-hours activity and regular program assignments. Volunteer Literacy Programs are in operation in nearly all major institutions, annexes and work camps.

Mandatory Literacy Program:
Chapter 944.801 (3)(i), Florida Statutes, requires inmates who have 2 years or more remaining to serve on their sentence at time of reception and who have Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE) total battery scores below grade level 6.0 to attend not fewer than 150 hours of sequential instruction in a correctional adult basic education program. These inmates are enrolled in the adult education program but tracked separately until they complete a minimum of 150 hours of instruction. Upon completion of 150 hours of instruction or the achievement of a total battery score of grade level 6.0 on the TABE, the inmates can elect to remain enrolled in the adult education program.

Education Services:
The Education Services Section of the Bureau of Re-Entry Programs and Education is responsible for oversight and support of the department's Academic Education, Special Education, Vocational Education, General Library and Law Library programs. Education Services also coordinates Teacher Certification activities for the department's correctional educators.