Recent U.S. Department of Education Report Highlighted SHCOE Program with the Florida Department of Corrections as a Primary Example of “Successes of Early Implementers” for Online-Based Educational Programs in Correctional Facilities
Washington, DC, November 4, 2015– Earlier this week, the Obama administration announced new initiatives that promote rehabilitation and reintegration for the formerly incarcerated. Smart Horizons Career Online Education (SHCOE) and Cengage Learning were highlighted as an example of a private sector commitment and national program that supports re-entry for inmates.
SHCOE launched an inmate education program in 2012 with the Florida Department of Corrections (FLDOC), which enables inmates to earn a SACS/AdvancED accredited high school diploma and entry-level workforce certificate. The program was recently cited in a Department of Education report as a primary example of “Successes of Early Implementers” for online-based educational programs in correctional facilities.
The program is provided through a secure NexPort Learning Management System and is an ideal solution for corrections facilities as illustrated in the success of the FLDOC program, which has expanded to Xx facilities across the state since its inception.
“This is exciting news from the Obama Administration,” stated Dr. Howard Liebman, SHCOE’s Co-Founder and Superintendent of Schools. “Inmate recidivism is a huge issue for our prison system and society as a whole, and several studies have shown that one of the most effective strategies to reduce recidivism is through education and job training. Our private sector commitment is to expand our corrections education program to up to four new states over the next year, providing several thousand new students with the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and entry-level workforce certificate.
The President has also called on Congress to pass meaningful criminal justice reform, including reforms that reduce recidivism for those who have been in prison and are reentering society.