Adult Basic Education/English as a Second Language Directory

Adult Basic Education

For information on the following programs, contact your local Technical College or Literacy Council.

Every year, Adult Basic Education (ABE) helps over 70,000 Wisconsin adults study reading, writing, mathematics, and career education at levels ranging from first through twelfth grade. Programs and services are available in communities throughout Wisconsin.

Family Literacy programs are designed to help parents become better learners while promoting their children's learning at home and achievement at school. Family Literacy integrates adult basic education/ ESL instruction, early childhood education, Parent and Child Together (PACT) Time, and parenting classes into one comprehensive program. In these family literacy programs, families come to school together. While their children learn in nearby classrooms, parents become successful learners and pursue their own educational goals. Contact your local technical college for more information.

GED/HSED programs provide students with a high school completion credential. Adult Secondary Education (ASE) consists of high school level instruction for adults (grades 9-12). Students are typically working toward a high school credential such as the national General Educational Development (GED) test or the Wisconsin High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED).

The national GED program helps students prepare for and show mastery of the equivalent of a high school education. However, in Wisconsin the GED is not considered to be comparable to a high school diploma. The HSED is considered to be comparable.

To obtain a GED a student must pass tests in mathematics, science, writing, language arts, and social studies. Students prepare for the tests through self-paced individualized instruction and group instruction. Specific information on the GED/HSED can be found on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction web site.

Adult High School Courses

Technical colleges may also offer specific high school-level courses to individuals who may need a few credits to complete their high school diploma.

Courses to help you succeed in your chosen area of study:

Every technical college offers basic skills courses designed specifically to help students succeed in their occupational program. These courses (often called Developmental/Remedial courses) allow students to refresh and update their skills in certain areas of learning, such as math, science, or social studies.

English as a Second Language

English as a Second Language (ESL) designed to assist you if your native or dominant language is other than English and you need to learn to read, write, and communicate in English. ESL instruction is designed to provide the skills that lead to high school completion, entry into occupational programs, or work placement. Skill appropriate instruction with the goal of achieving full U.S. citizenship is available to all ESL students. ESL programs include one-to-one instruction, independent study (often with computer-aided instruction), group instruction, and work with bilingual tutors.

Workplace Education courses develop employees' basic skills so that they can perform their jobs better. Workplace Education courses develop employees' basic skills so that they can perform their jobs better. Courses are usually offered at the student's work site. Workplace Education programs are designed in cooperation with the employer so that the necessary basic skills are taught in a format most valuable to the employer. Typical examples of Workplace Education courses are Math for Blueprint Reading, Fundamental Writing of Job Orders, or job related English as a Second Language (ESL) skills.

Adult Basic Education Contacts

Find your local Tech College