Jill S. Weekley Learning Center

What can I learn in adult education?

What is “Adult Education”?

The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) recognizes that today’s workplace presents numerous opportunities and challenges for adults in West Virginia. Employers need workers with strong basic skills and an ability to adapt to change. Today’s families are faced with multiple responsibilities as they address their children’s educational needs as well as their own. Special populations, such as the homeless and incarcerated, must deal with additional challenges in order to lead safe and productive lives.

To effectively serve the foundational learning needs of these diverse groups, a learning system that is flexible and responsive is necessary.

The WV Adult Education programs build skills for success by providing adults with the opportunity to acquire and improve functional skills necessary to enhance the quality of their lives as workers, family members, and citizens. These programs play an important role in fostering productive employment, effective citizenship, personal and family growth, self-esteem, and dignity for adult learners.

Individuals eligible to receive services must be at least 16 years of age and not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under State law. Additionally, an eligible individual must meet at least one of the following criteria: 1) be basic skills deficient, 2) not have a high school diploma or its equivalent, or 3) be an English language learner.

Educational services are available at no cost to adult learners and are designed to meet the educational needs of each individual. Certified adult education instructors provide instruction.

What steps do I need to follow to prepare and take the High School Equivalency exam?

The first step is to locate the nearest adult education classroom and contact the instructor to schedule an appointment. At that time the instructor will work with you to determine the specific steps you need to achieve your goal.

Next, is to work on the steps of the education plan which you and your instructor developed. This can include in-person instruction, virtual instruction, and distance education methods.

Then, you’ll take the HiSet Official Practice Test to determine your ability to pass the actual High School Equivalency (HSE) exam.

Once you are ready, your instructor will assist you to register for the HSE at a nearby testing center.

Finally, take (& pass) your HSE exam!

Can I study at home?

West Virginia’s adult distance education program provides a flexible learning opportunity for West Virginia adults who need to prepare for the high school equivalency test, or who wish to brush up on their basic academic skills in preparation for an upcoming test for entrance into a college or into the workforce. And it’s free! You can now study any time of the day or night on a computer or mobile device with Internet access. *

Some of the approved software programs for distance education in West Virginia Adult Education include Edgenuity®, HiSet Prep Academy™, Computer Essentials™,  and Burlington English®. The content of these programs varies from courses in healthcare occupations to information technology to courses in Accuplacer® Exam Preparation and to learning English as a Second Language.

In order to participate in the distance education program, you must be a West Virginia resident and be able to go to an onsite class to take the assessment test and enroll.