Adult Education
Classes and programs offered in: adult basic education, General Education
Test (GED) testing and instruction, obtaining a high school diploma, adult
literacy, English as a second language (ESL), and basic learning and
communication skills.
Other programs offer classes that can expand knowledge in a particular field
or discipline or explore and develop skills in a new area of interest.
Most Minnesota school districts have Adult Basic Education programs
available or cooperate with an Area Learning Center to provide basic skills,
academic high school completion programs and support services to serve dropouts
and adults who need basic skills. Contact the Minnesota
Department of Education for more details
Adult Basic Education
What are "basic skills"? The basic skills and competencies that
adults must master in order to participate fully and effectively in society
include reading, writing, math, listening and speaking, creative thinking and
problem-solving, personal effectiveness, group effectiveness, societal
effectiveness, and knowing how to learn.
Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs, offered mostly through public school
districts, community colleges, technical colleges, and private, non-profit
organizations serve learners ages 16 and over who are not formally enrolled in
school and have educational skills below the high school completion level.
General Education Test (GED)
In Minnesota, completion of the GED test is considered the equivalent of the
high school diploma. The GED Tests measure knowledge in five different areas
writing, social studies,
science, reading, and mathematics. An important feature of the GED Tests is
an essay that test your ability to write and communicate at a certain level.
Are You Ready to Take the GED Tests?
You may wonder if you need some help preparing for the GED Tests. By
contacting an adult education resource center in your area, you can learn about
preparation classes in local high schools, adult education programs, or
community colleges. Staff members at these resource centers can help you decide
whether you will need to study for all the tests, or whether you should spend
time brushing up in just a few areas.
The official General
Education Development Testing Service web site has more details.
For further information*:
Contact one of the information lines listed below during normal business hours. Services are free and confidential.
The Senior LinkAge Line® is served by volunteers and staff of the area agencies on aging who are certified by the Minnesota Board on Aging. Staff and volunteers receive extensive training and provide objective, confidential assistance. They are independent and are not connected with any private or non-profit companies that sell products. The Senior LinkAge Line® is the federal government-certified Medicare Counseling phone service for the state of Minnesota.
The Disability Linkage Line® is served by the Metropolitan and the Southeastern Centers for Independent Living. Staff and volunteers receive extensive training, and provide objective, confidential assistance. They are independent and are not connected with any private or non-profit companies that sell products.
The Veterans Linkage Line™ is answered by trained staff at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and Crisis Connection, a Twin Cities based nonprofit mental health telephone counseling service. MDVA staff, who are veterans themselves manage the lines Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:30pm. Crisis Connection social workers field all crisis call during business hours, and all calls after hours, weekends and on holidays.
Minnesota Teens or Young Adults with questions or comments about this Web site can call (651) 431-4714; Mon- Fri, 8:00 am - 4:30pm or email: youth_corner@state.mn.us.
* Many programs in this Web site require that you have maximum income or asset limits and use the standard of Federal Poverty Guidelines (e.g. 120% of FPG). The Federal Poverty Guidelines are set by US DHHS, and take affect in Minnesota July 1st. Federal Poverty Guidelines are available at the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
Eligibility for many public programs is done by the Minnesota County Social Services System. To find a county eligibility office near you, put your zip code into Minnesotahelp.info and type the name of the program in the keyword search box. For example, "Medical Assistance".
NOTE: There are many other factors - besides a person's income - that go into determining whether a person is eligible for a program. It's important to talk to the provider of the program to see if you can qualify.