Curriculum

At RISS, education is not a side program or an optional activity. It is part of the infrastructure of the community.

Most correctional and reentry education focuses on a limited number of goals: GED completion, vocational training, or occasional college access. Those opportunities matter, but they are only part of what a person needs to build a stable life.

RISS is developing a full-spectrum educational environment that includes practical life skills, workforce preparation, personal development, health and wellness, technology, arts and culture, civic understanding, and lifelong learning.

Residents are expected to engage in education, but their path is self-directed. Some may pursue workforce credentials. Others may focus on communication skills, financial literacy, personal growth, or academic advancement. Our role is to provide opportunities, remove barriers, and ensure quality.

Education at RISS is designed around four goals:

• Building stability

• Expanding opportunity

• Developing capability

• Encouraging lifelong growth

Many courses will also serve as pathways to external certifications, licenses, continuing education opportunities, and college partnerships. Where appropriate, RISS will assist residents with preparation, scheduling, and completion of recognized credentials.

Are you an educator or instructor who might be interested in designing one or more of our courses? (And if in the Austin area, might be interested in teaching one or more after our campus opens?) If your answer is yes, please reach out to us at: continuing.education@risscommunity.org