BOP Program Statement 5312.01 § 6

Prior to enrolling inmates in the literacy and ESL programs, Education staff will administer the

approved Bureau placement test to any qualifying inmate with education needs to determine their

instructional levels. A qualifying inmate is defined in Program Statements Literacy Program

and English as a Second Language (ESL) Program.

Placement tests are assessments designed to evaluate an inmate’s current level of knowledge or

skill in a specific subject area to determine the most appropriate level of instruction or

coursework. These tests help Education staff place inmates in classes or programs that match

their abilities and learning needs, ensuring they receive the appropriate level of challenge and

support. Examples include Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) and Comprehensive Adult

Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) placement tests.

Education staff will administer the approved Bureau literacy placement test to initially

designated inmates who do not have a verified high school diploma, or its equivalent, within 90

days of their arrival to determine their appropriate instructional level. Inmates returning to

custody who have prior test scores less than three years old and are available from the applicable

Bureau inmate management system or other official verifiable sources do not require an

additional placement test.

Authorized Education staff will administer the approved Bureau ESL placement test to inmates

with limited English proficiency to determine their English language skills level as specified in

Program Statement English as a Second Language (ESL) Program.

Inmates will be referred for ESL placement testing based on the following criteria:

 English is not the inmate’s native or first language.

 Use of a translator/interpreter to complete the Presentence Investigation Report (PSR) as

5312.01 6/22/2026 PROPERTY OF US GOVERNMENT 6

indicated in the PSR.

 Inability to complete the education interview in English or read and understand

information at initial screening.

Authorized Education staff will follow test procedures on the ESB page of the Bureau’s intranet

site to administer achievement tests to HSE and ESL program inmates to assess and/or reassess

the learning progress throughout an inmate’s program enrollment. All tests and subtest scores

will be entered into the applicable Bureau inmate management system.

Achievement tests are standardized assessments designed to measure an inmate’s knowledge or

proficiency in a specific subject or area of learning. These tests evaluate how well an inmate has

understood and retained information taught in an educational setting, typically covering areas in

mathematical reasoning, reasoning through language arts, science, social studies, and other

academic subjects. Examples include TABE and CASAS achievement tests. Achievement tests

must be administered throughout an inmate’s enrollment to track progress and determine

readiness for the certification test. A certification test will not be given if an achievement test has

not been administered within the past six months of enrollment.

Placement and achievement tests may be administered by authorized Education staff other than

Examiners at the discretion of the SOE.

HSE and ESL Certification tests are assessments designed to evaluate an inmate’s knowledge,

skills, and competencies and certify the inmate meets the required standards and qualifications.

Examples include GED and CASAS certification.

HSE Examiners will administer the approved Bureau HSE certification test to literacy program

inmates for literacy program completion. Education staff will provide inmates with an official

HSE certificate and transcript when they pass the HSE certification tests. When an inmate passes

the test, the SOE or designee will use the credential date on the transcript for entering test

transactions in the applicable Bureau inmate management system to include updating the

education attainment status of the inmate.

ESL Examiners will administer the approved Bureau ESL certification test to ESL program

inmates for program completion. Education staff will provide inmates with a certificate when

they pass the certification test. When an inmate passes the test, the SOE or designee will use the

testing date for entering test transactions in the applicable Bureau inmate management system to

include updating the education attainment status of the inmate.