Adult Education

Introduction

Education and literacy are keys to a better quality of life. According to the American Community Survey (2023 5-Year Estimate), over 426,000 working-age adults do not have a high school diploma or equivalent, and many more lack literacy, numeracy, and English language skills. Explore this data by locality and adult education region in the Virginia Data Profiles. Learn more about how VDOE is serving adult learners in Virginia in this Overview of the Office of Adult Education. 

Congratulations to Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) Funded Programs

Congratulations to the providers funded in the recent five-year competition. Programs are offered across the Commonwealth; providers are listed in the Adult Education Regional Map and Directory. These awards are made available through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Title II, Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) (award number 26E55EE000151), and the state funds provided for adult education.

Types of Programming

• Adult basic and secondary education: Addressing academic skill needs through standards-based instruction, offered in person and remotely and in local and regional correctional facilities.
• English language acquisition: Enhancing immigrant and refugee integration through standards-based instruction that focuses on language proficiency, civic engagement, and employability skills.
• Integrated education and training: Programming that leads to industry recognized credentials.
• Family literacy: Intensive academic and parenting programming for adults and their children.

Adult Secondary Completion Programs

• Adult secondary completion options: Adult Secondary Completion Options include the Adult High School Diploma Program, National External Diploma Program (NEDP) and General Achievement Adult High School Diploma (GAAHSD).
• High school equivalency (HSE) credential: Currently, the only Virginia board-approved HSE examination is the GED® test, which was developed to enable persons who have not graduated from high school to demonstrate the attainment of abilities normally associated with completion of a high school program of study. GED® Testing Service is a joint venture of the American Council on Education and Pearson VUE.