(a) Authority. An education program is established within the Department of Corrections for the education of persons who have not completed secondary education or are assessed to have a moderate-to-high criminogenic need by one or more corrections risk assessments and who are committed to the custody of the Commissioner.

(b) Applicability of education provisions. The education program shall be approved by the State Board of Education as an independent school under 16 V.S.A. § 166, and shall be coordinated with adult education, special education, and career technical education.

(c) Program supervision. The Commissioner of Corrections shall appoint a licensed administrator under 16 V.S.A. chapter 51 to serve as the Headmaster of Correction Education and coordinate use of other education programs by persons under the supervision of the Commissioner.

(d) Curriculum. The education program shall offer a minimum course of study, as defined in 16 V.S.A. § 906, and special education programs in accordance with the program description used for independent school approval.

(e) [Repealed.]

(f) Reimbursement payments. The provision of 16 V.S.A. § 4012, relating to payment for State-placed students, shall not apply to the Corrections education program.

(g) [Repealed.]

(h) Required participation. All persons under the custody of the Commissioner who are under the age of 23 and have not received a high school diploma, or are assessed to have a moderate-to-high criminogenic need and are within 24 months of reentry shall participate in an education program. The Commissioner may approve the participation of other students, including individuals who are enrolled in an alternative justice or diversion program. (Added 1987, No. 207 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 1991, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 11; 1997, No. 84 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2001, No. 149 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 38, 39, eff. June 27, 2002; 2007, No. 64, § 4; 2007, No. 192 (Adj. Sess.), § 6.030; 2011, No. 63, § E.337; 2011, No. 88 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. April 25, 2012; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 302, eff. Feb. 14, 2014; 2015, No. 23, § 29; 2015, No. 58, § E.337; 2015, No. 172 (Adj. Sess.), § E.337.)