Education
The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) operates an education system approved by the Tennessee Department of Education. Through its adult education program, the TDOC School District offers three career-focused learning pathways that equip individuals with the essential skills and credentials needed to build confidence, transform lives, strengthen communities, and reduce recidivism.
Across all state correctional facilities, TDOC provides Adult Basic Education, Career and Technical Education, Post-Secondary Education, special education services, and access to library services. Instruction is delivered by a dedicated team of highly qualified educators who hold valid Tennessee teaching licenses, with many also certified by the National Center for Construction Education and Research.
Adult Basic Education (ABE)
ABE courses are designed to help individuals strengthen foundational skills in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. These courses prepare learners to meet the College and Career Readiness Standards and serve as the pathway to taking an approved High School Equivalency exam.
ABE classes are open to individuals of all academic levels who are working toward earning a high school equivalency diploma. Instruction is grounded in research-based practices and includes direct teaching, small group work, technology-supported learning, peer tutoring, and differentiated strategies to meet individual needs.
Upon completion, ABE graduates can transition into Career and Technical Education or Post-Secondary Education, where they can continue building the skills needed for entry-level employment across a variety of industries.
Duplicate copies of a diploma may be requested at Services - DiplomaSender.
Career Technical Education (CTE) Programs
CTE programs are delivered by certified instructors and provide individuals with hands-on training and industry-recognized credentials that prepare them for entry-level employment upon reentry.
All CTE courses are designed to:
- Maintain academic rigor and align with Tennessee State Learning Standards;
- Meet current industry expectations and workforce demands; and
- Address statewide skills gaps to ensure relevance.
Programs span multiple career paths and focus on high-wage, high-demand fields. By aligning education with labor market needs, CTE provides a direct pathway to meaningful employment and supports successful reentry. Courses include, but are not limited to:
Automotive Mechanical Technology
Barbering
Carpentry
Computer Aided Design and Drafting
Construction
Cosmetology
Electrical
Foundation of Culinary Arts
HVAC and Refrigeration
Landscaping/Horticulture/Grounds Keeping
Leisure Craft/Small Engine Technology
Masonry
Personal Training
Plumbing
Welding
*CTE Courses of Instruction, Non-Post-Secondary:
Career Exploration Class
Personal Finance and Entrepreneurship
Post-Secondary Education (PSE)
TDOC’s PSE is provides a full landscape of educational opportunities to incarcerated students in Tennessee and empowers student to attain their educational goals and realize their academic and career potential. Curently, PSE programs exist in nine male facilities and two female facilities. Through TDOC's education partnerships, inmates may enroll in programs that are responsive to community and industry needs, earning a general education certificate, associate degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree, and/or industry certification.
Current partnerships include but are not limited to:
Universities and Colleges
• Belmont University
• Carson-Newman University
• Chattanooga State Community College
• Columbia State Community College
• Dyersburg State Community College
• Lipscomb University
• Nashville State Community College
• Northeast State Community College
• Rhodes College
• Roane State Community College
• Southwest Tennessee Community College
• Tennessee College of Applied Technology
State and Local Organizations
• Tennessee Board of Regents
• Tennessee Higher Education Initiative
• Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
• Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Prison Education Program (PEP)
Special Education Services
In accordance with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Tennessee Department of Education guidelines, TDOC delivers special education services to ensure eligible students can successfully access academic programs and have the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers.
Certified special education teachers provide individualized instruction, modifications, accommodations, and support tailored to each students unique learning needs.
Please see the TN Department of Education Notice of Procedural Safeguards for more information.
Library
Each state correctional facility maintains a library that offers individuals access to a wide range of materials and resources. Modeled after public library systems, collections are curated to reflect diverse perspectives and offered in multiple accessible formats to include recreational fiction and non-fiction, reference materials, academic and career education resources, personal development content, magazine and newspaper subscriptions, and legally required volumes in both print and digital formats.
Digital legal research tools ensure meaningful access to the courts in compliance with state and federal requirements. Additional resources support rehabilitation and reentry by providing information on employment, life skills, and community reintegration.