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FOIA "Backlog Buster" Redaction Engine

FOIA Redaction Engine for FOIA professionals

Take a FOIA request through the FOIA Redaction Engine, from loading the collection and grouping duplicates to deciding every proposed redaction, passing second-level review and producing a burned-in release with its exemption log.

Foundation2 hr 21 min13 lessonsFor UsersCertificate of completion

Lesson plan (printable)

About this course

The FOIA Redaction Engine does the first pass on responsive records before you do. It loads the collection, groups duplicates, threads email and proposes redactions for personal information and controlled unclassified information, each with a suggested exemption and the reason it was flagged. This course teaches you how to work with that first pass so your time goes on judgment instead of on searching pages.

You follow one request through the engine from start to finish: ingest, de-duplication, the first pass, your redaction and exemption decisions, second-level review, and the burned-in release with its exemption log. Throughout, one rule holds: the engine proposes and never releases. Every redaction is decided by a person, and every exemption decision belongs to your agency.

What you’ll be able to do

  • Explain what the FOIA Redaction Engine does and does not do, and where your judgment is required
  • Check that a collection loaded completely and resolve files that could not be processed
  • Work with exact duplicates, near-duplicates and email threads so each record is reviewed once and redacted consistently
  • Read the engine's first pass and accept, reject or change each proposed redaction with the right exemption
  • Handle CUI flags, poor scans and context-dependent material that the engine can miss
  • Send a batch to second-level review, act on returned records, and carry out a second review
  • Produce a burned-in release package and an exemption log you can rely on in an appeal or litigation

Skills you’ll gain

  • FOIA record review
  • Applying FOIA exemptions
  • Duplicate and email thread handling
  • Second-level review
  • Release package preparation
  • Exemption logs

Before you start

  • You have a Moraph account with the FOIA analyst or senior analyst role in the FOIA Redaction Engine.
  • You know your agency's FOIA process and the exemptions it commonly applies.
  • You have completed Moraph foundations, or you already know how to find records, tasks and Activity in Moraph apps.
  • Recommended first: Moraph foundations: technology for high-stakes work

Syllabus

3 modules · 8 readings · 1 practical exercise · 4 assessments

  1. Module 1Getting records ready for review

    1. Reading: How the engine fits your FOIA processReading · 10 min
    2. Reading: Ingest and the review setReading · 10 min
    3. Reading: Duplicates and email threadsReading · 12 min
    4. Assessment: Module 1 knowledge checkAssessment · 6 min

  2. Module 2Deciding redactions

    1. Reading: Reading the first passReading · 10 min
    2. Reading: Deciding redactions and exemptionsReading · 14 min
    3. Practical exercise: Practical: decide a review batchPractical exercise · 15 min
    4. Assessment: Module 2 knowledge checkAssessment · 6 min

  3. Module 3Review and release

    1. Reading: Second-level reviewReading · 12 min
    2. Reading: Burned-in release and the release packageReading · 10 min
    3. Reading: The exemption log and audit trailReading · 10 min
    4. Assessment: Module 3 knowledge checkAssessment · 6 min
    5. Assessment: Final assessmentAssessment · 20 min

What completion gives you

Complete every lesson and pass each assessment to complete the course. You then get a completion record in My learning, and a certificate of completion you can print or share, with a code anyone can check at academy.moraph.com/verify.

Completion is not certification

Course completion records and certificates of completion show that a person completed a Moraph Academy course. They are not a Moraph certification (which needs the certification exam), a professional license or an accreditation, and they do not authorize anyone to configure, operate, resell or support Moraph products on Moraph’s or anyone else’s behalf.

Course updates

  • Version 1 · · First version.