Adult Education and GED

If you are looking to register for Adult Education classes, visit EnrollRI.org/AdultEd or email info@riadulted.org to learn more.

RI AE Image

Rhode Island Adult Education supports adult learners in gaining skills and credentials for employment, citizenship, and family and community leadership. There are 5 different types of classes:

  • Adult Education (Reading and Math)
  • English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
  • High School Certificate/GED
  • Job Skills Training
  • Citizenship

Classes are offered at local programs across the state. Many programs offer classes in person, online, and hybrid. Visit EnrollRI.org/AdultEd to browse a full list of program providers and the types of classes they offer.

 

Resources for Learners

RI AE Info Centers Logo

Are you interested in Adult Education classes but don't know where to start? Adult Education Information Centers can help! For more information, or to contact any of the centers, email info@riadulted.org . 

Rhode Island Adult Education has several physical Information Center locations around the state to help learners find the best classes for them and begin the registration process. Information Center staff provide free, individualized support to help you enroll in Adult Education.

Click this link to see a current list of Information Center locations and walk-in hours.

If you have questions about this program, or would like to partner with the Information Centers, email Allison.Habermehl@ride.ri.gov .

GED Grad

General Educational Development Test - GED®

The Rhode Island High School Equivalency Program is composed of the General Educational Development (GED) Tests, which are administered throughout the state by testing centers authorized by the Board of Education. The Rhode Island High School Equivalency Diploma is issued to those eligible individuals who successfully complete the GED Tests.

GED RESOURCES

You must go through an authorized Rhode Island testing center to take all in-person or online GED tests in order to receive your High School Equivalency Diploma. Websites that offer credentials and diplomas without going through a testing center are fake and will not be recognized by colleges or employers. To learn more about GED Test Fraud, please visit the link above.

National External Diploma Program - NEDP

Some Rhode Island school districts offer a high school diploma based upon successful completion of the National External Diploma Program (NEDP). The NEDP is a performance assessment system that is competency-based, and expects adults to demonstrate their ability in a series of simulations that parallel job and life situations. Participants are evaluated against a criterion of excellence instead of by comparison to others.

Several RI Adult Education Programs offer the NEDP.  For more information visit:

Email info@riadulted.org for support finding the best high school equivalency program for you.

Adult education programs provide classes that help students achieve their goals. Some goals for adult learners include:

AE Support
  • Gaining basic academic skills, like reading and math
  • Improving English skills
  • Becoming ready for work, career and college
  • Finding and keeping a job
  • Progressing along a career pathway for a better job
  • Attaining high school credentials and industry certificates
  • Enrolling in college and postsecondary education/training
  • Becoming more involved in the community

 

Map of Rhode Island Adult Education System

In July of 2011, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed revised compulsory attendance legislation, which requires students to attend school until they are 18 years old. The RI Compulsory Attendance Statute (RIGL 16-19-1) and the adoption of the Alternative Learning Plan (ALP) is an effort to prevent students from dropping out of school and, subsequently, being placed into truancy court.  The statute encourages schools and families to work together so that students remain enrolled in school, via an ALP, so that students may continue to work toward earning a high school diploma or its equivalent. 

The Compulsory Attendance Statute mandates that students be in continuous school enrollment until the age of 18.  The statute allows for a superintendent or head of school to waive the attendance requirements for those students 16 years of age or older who have an approved ALP that supports their continued progress toward obtaining a RI Diploma or its equivalent.  All districts are required to implement this legislation as necessary and, in the process, ensure that students continue to have opportunities to further their education and career readiness skills. The guidance documents below provide technical assistance regarding the ALP process for students seeking a high school equivalency as an alternative to a traditional high school diploma.

For more information, please see the Diploma System & Graduation Requirements page.

 

Resources for Grantees

The office of Adult Education at RIDE developed several policies and guidance documents to support the administration of quality programs. These are in alignment with the 12 Considerations referenced in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Title II (Sec. 231), which are also the source of the RI Adult Education Indicators of Program Quality.

The office of Adult Education at RIDE collaborated with practitioners on the development of several sets of standards that support quality programming. These standards target both staff and student populations as well as critical program systems and components. The standards are also used as the basis for professional development and program monitoring activity.

ADULT EDUCATION POLICIES

PROGRAM MONITORING

 

Resources for State Partners

In alignment with other state agencies, RIDE funds eligible non-profit organizations to implement Adult Education and Training programs that support the achievement of two statewide outcomes:

AE Partners
  1. All Rhode Island adults have the skills and credentials they need for upward mobility (college and career), for engaged citizenship, and for leading strong families and communities.
  2. All Rhode Island employers have access to a pool of workers with the skills they need to remain competitive and grow.

Classes and services received by students are the result of partnership between RIDE, the Department of Labor and Training, the Department of Human Services, the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner, the Governor's Office, and the Governor's Workforce Board.

Collaboration between RI state partners has led to the establishment of key investment priorities in the following outcome areas:

Strong Families and Communities

  • Expansion of Family Literacy
  • Provision of Comprehensive Community-based classroom Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language (English for Speakers of Other Languages).
  • Expansion of Distance Learning

Upward Mobility through College and Career Readiness

  • Expansion of adult education that is contextualized and supports career pathways for youth and adults  in Rhode Island’s nine critical and emerging industries.
  • Integration of adult education and hands-on technical training leading to academic and industry credentials for low-skilled current and former welfare recipients and other unemployed low-skilled adults
  • Integration of pre- and post-release adult education services for the incarcerated.
  • Expansion of transition to postsecondary education and training/apprenticeship programs that use dual or concurrent enrollment including rigorous Adult Secondary Education for those preparing for postsecondary education based on internationally benchmarked college and career readiness standards.

Civic Engagement and Student Leadership

  • Continuation of English Literacy / Civics Education & Student Engagement
  • Expansion of Student Leadership