Are There Specific Requirements For a School’s Accrediting Agency To Evaluate Prison Education Programs?

Yes. According to AC-Q3/A3 on the U.S. Department of Education's (ED's) Prison Education Programs Questions and Answers website.

"The Department includes requirements for an accrediting agency or State approval agency to evaluate a school’s PEP in regulation at 34 CFR 668.237(b). Those requirements include:

• The evaluation of at least the first PEP at the school’s first two additional locations at correctional facilities;
• The evaluation of the first additional PEP offered by a new method of delivery;
• A site visit as soon as practicable, but no later than one year after initiating the PEP at the school’s first two additional locations at correctional facilities; and
• The review and approval of the methodology for how the school, in collaboration with the oversight entity, made the determination that the PEP meets the same standards as substantially similar programs that are not PEPs at the school

These evaluations are to demonstrate that a school has the ability to offer and implement the PEP. The accrediting agency is expected to base its evaluation of the PEP on its standards, and, if approved, include the program in the school’s accreditation or preaccreditation."