DE SB20

Establishes a Prison Educational Unit within the Department of Education under the supervision of the Secretary of Education to provide educational services in correctional facilities.

Authorizes 39.7 full-time equivalents (FTEs) including up to 4.0 teachers/supervisors, 31.7 teachers (minimum 10.0 as Career and Technical Education teachers), 3.0 secretaries, and 1.0 Education Associate, with an additional 5.7 positions authorized in the Department of Correction.

Requires prison education employees (except secretaries) to meet the same qualifications as public high school employees, complete Department of Correction training, maintain security classification, and attend refresher training every three years.

Sets salary according to public school schedules with calculations based on 10-month employment; provides professional development cluster bonuses (capped at 15 percent), hazardous duty supplements for onsite staff, and administrative supplements of 4-8 percent for teachers/supervisors approved by the Joint Finance Committee Co-Chairs.

Requires the Governor's Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens to review the Prison Educational Program annually with biennial site visits and allows the Department of Education to budget $4,000-$10,000 annually for materials, equipment, and supplies for career and technical education programs in correctional facilities.