Adult education and literacy programs in Virginia are structured regionally. To view this information in multiple languages, select Machine Translation at the top of the page and choose your language from the drop-down menu. Classes can be held in person or virtually (online) using a computer or device. The teacher of the virtual classes will meet with the students through the Zoom or Canvas platforms for the classes listed below.
To participate, students must be 18 years of age or older. A mandatory level test is given to determine the appropriate class level. The National External Diploma Program (NEDP) is a competency-based high school diploma program for adults aged 18 and over. It is designed for those who have acquired their academic skills through life and work experiences and can demonstrate what they have learned.
To enter this program, interested students must attend a one-hour Zoom information session to learn more and take the qualifying exam. The briefings are held at 10 a.m., and completion time varies with each individual, averaging six months to a year. A flexible schedule is available and will be determined by you and your advisor. The NEDP awards a standard high school diploma issued by the local school board through the adult education program, which is accepted by universities, though some may require adults to meet other admission standards.
The National External Diploma Program is administered through the Virginia State Department of Education and CASAS. Payments can be made by credit or debit card (Visa or Mastercard) using the link provided to you, cashier's check, money order, or tuition must be paid at time of enrollment. Fees are paid by cashier's check, money order or credit card (Visa or Mastercard) using the link provided to you. Course offerings depend on funding and sufficient enrollment.
Children are not allowed in class. English language acquisition (ELA) classes are for people over 18 years of age who have a native language other than English. The classes offer several levels and specializations designed to meet the needs of the student. Initial literacy is for students who cannot speak or understand English or who have minimal reading or writing skills or who function minimally or do not speak English at all.
Low Beginning is for students who can understand basic greetings and simple phrases, read numbers and letters, and cope with difficulty in social situations. The lower intermediate level is for students who can express their basic survival needs in spoken English, read and write with simple material, and perform routine community and work tasks. Advanced is for students who can understand and communicate in a variety of contexts, read moderately complex texts, write multi-paragraph texts, and function independently to meet most survival needs. The English for Communication and Academic Skills class is a 90-hour class designed for students to acquire life skills that will help them function in their communities and in the workplace. Preparation classes are also available for those interested in obtaining a high school education to advance their career to the next stages and open up more opportunities.
Applicants must obtain an adult secondary level grade in qualification evaluations to enroll in the program. Interested individuals must attend an information session on one of the dates and times listed below; this session and the evaluation will last approximately two hours. Upon successful completion of this self-directed program, participants obtain a standard high school diploma issued by the local school board through the Department of Adult Education. The classes are also designed to provide instruction on preparing for citizenship and naturalization, the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and civic participation, as well as helping students with their English literacy and language skills as they study citizenship and other community participation topics. IET courses are also available for those who want to receive an industry-recognized certificate upon successful completion of a specific career path and certification exam; to successfully complete, you must pass the appropriate certification exam. This course is a 90-hour class that prepares participants to acquire customer service and sales skills as well as improve their English language proficiency skills.
