BOP Program Statement 5351.01 § 2

The following Bureau components are responsible for establishing, maintaining, and

providing resources to ESL programs to ensure inmates have the opportunity to achieve

English proficiency.

a. Education Services Branch (ESB). The ESB is the agency’s primary source for all literacy

programs and services including instructional practices, approving assessments, and management

of the ESL program. The ESB will develop education policies and procedures and provide

professional development to all Bureau Education staff including the training of ESL Examiners.

The ESB monitors and reports program performance and outcomes to internal and external

stakeholders.

b. Regional Office. Regional Education Administrators (REA) will support the ESB by

providing guidance, updates, resources, and professional development to Education staff

within their regions. REAs will ensure institutions in their regions adhere to education

policies and procedures and provide reports and updates to the ESB.

c. Institutions. Wardens will ensure the Education Department is appropriately staffed to

provide ESL programs and ensure inmates have access to programs and services.

5351.01 6/22/2026 Federal Regulations from 28 CFR: this type. Implementing instructions: this type. 3

The Supervisor of Education (SOE) will provide support, guidance, updates, resources, and

professional development for Education staff. The SOE will serve as the ESL Chief Examiner

and will designate at least one Education Department staff member as an ESL Examiner.

Examiners are authorized by the ESB Test Administrator(s) to administer educational tests.

Examiners responsibilities include managing the administration of various educational tests,

managing testing sessions, ensuring compliance with testing standards and procedures,

recommending examiners, reviewing test results, resolving any issues related to test

administration, and conducting monthly inventories of certification tests. They are also

responsible for developing a plan outlining the test procedures and security measures as required

by the test publisher and ESB. Overall, the Chief Examiner maintains the integrity and

effectiveness of the educational testing program.

The classroom teacher serves as a general education teacher and will monitor and evaluate

inmate performance and progress in preparation for the program certification test. Classroom

teachers may administer ESL placement and achievement tests but may not administer

certification level tests.