Utilizing post-release outcome information to measure the effectiveness of correctional education programs

This paper, prepared by the Office of Vocational and Adult Education in the U.S. Department of Education, provides correctional education (CE) administrators and research analysts with strategies for effectively collecting post-release outcome data and putting it to use both internally and externally. The paper highlights the approaches used by select states, as well as their outside evaluators and researchers, to measure the extent to which CE programs meet post-release program goals and objectives. In doing so, the authors reveal issues associated with specific post-release program measures such as employment, recidivism, and educational attainment and the procedures used to collect and analyse the related measures. The paper consists of three major topics: (1) planning the post-release follow-up; (2) conducting the post-release follow-up; and (3) isolating the impact of CE programs.

This paper, prepared by the Office of Vocational and Adult Education in the U.S. Department of Education, provides correctional education (CE) administrators and research analysts with strategies for effectively collecting post-release outcome data and putting it to use both internally and externally. The paper highlights the approaches used by select states, as well as their outside evaluators and researchers, to measure the extent to which CE programs meet post-release program goals and objectives. In doing so, the authors reveal issues associated with specific post-release program ...  [+] Show more