Adult Education and Literacy

Our program is the primary provider of adult education instruction, support, and transition programs and services for adults 16 year and older who have not completed high school, who need to brush up on reading, writing, or math skills for further education/training, and/or who are not native English speakers/writers. Adults can begin the process to enroll by completing an online enrollment form here and steps for placement into the best program to fit their needs. https://jjc.edu/community/workforce-education-adult-ed-literacy  Programs and services include:

Instructional Programs

Illinois High School Diploma (GED and HiSET) Preparation /Review Course - High School Diploma (HSD) test preparation course includes instruction in and a review of each GED test subject (reading/ writing, social studies, science and math). Specific test-taking strategies and connections to higher-level education and career training are included, along with tips for overcoming test anxiety. Free professional tutors are available for individual and small-group appointments and support services are available. Individuals who pass high school equivalency test are invited to participate in an annual graduation ceremony.

Constitution Review - Prepare to pass the Illinois and U.S. Constitution test requirements for the high school equivalency. This review is available in class or online and is recommended for adults who have registered for a high school equivalency test (GED, HiSET, TASC), and those who have previously attempted but not passed the Constitution test.

i-Pathways (HSE Online Preparation) - i-Pathways is an Internet-based, instructor facilitated instructional program that may be utilized as a stand-alone program or may be combined with traditional classroom instruction to help prepare students for high school equivalency test. i-Pathways students must qualify for the program via reading and math assessment. i-Pathways students are assigned to an instructor who reviews all submitted lessons, provides comments/feedback and guidance and monitors students throughout the program. i-Pathways is offered as a distance-education option for students who lack transportation or child care or whose work or other schedule prevents regular classroom attendance.

Early School Leaver Transition Program - Qualified adults over 16 years of age who have left high school prior to graduation and have less than 5 credits remaining to complete are assisted in meeting the requirements for obtaining their high school diplomas. High school transcripts and an agreement with the high school are required from a partnering high school. At intake, the student must provide a written letter/document indicating that he/she does not intend to return to high school. Instruction is offered as supervised independent study. Weekly meetings are scheduled with the instructor to submit completed coursework and take quizzes and tests, etc. The Early School Leaver Transition Program is offered under the Adult High School Diploma Program, and may require additional documentation and approval from the student’s high school in order to enroll.

Adult Basic Education/Basic Skills Development - The Adult Basic Education and Basic Skills Development classes are designed for out-of-school youths and adults who are experiencing difficulties with reading, writing, math and/or problem solving, as well as students with special learning needs, including limited English proficiency. Students are individually assessed from basic literacy to the eighth-grade level and monitored for progress into high school equivalency level courses. Basic skill and adult basic education classes offer small class sizes, computer-assisted instruction, and individual or classroom tutors.

English Language Learners - The English Language Learner program assists individuals who need to improve their English skills, or who speak English as a second or other language, for academic, employment, professional, or personal purposes. Six levels of instruction (literacy/beginning through advanced) are offered. Students are placed according to levels via standardized skills assessments. Instruction is offered four to 12 hours per week. Integrated skill modules focus on listening, speaking/pronunciation, reading/vocabulary, and writing/grammar.

United States Citizenship - Free citizenship courses for adults prepare individuals to take the test for U.S. citizenship. The course is based on current written and oral questions and includes modules in U.S. history and government, the U.S. Constitution, customs, citizenship rights and responsibilities, and preparing for the citizenship interview and exam. Assistance with completing the citizenship application is also provided by trained staff.

Support Services

Student Testing and Placement Services- Staff members provide professional assessment, orientation and placement in appropriate adult education classes and programs. Trained professionals also provide appropriate accommodations for special needs students. Services include:

• Basic skills and English literacy assessment
• High School Diploma/GED test preparation/practice testing and assessment
• Individualized/small-group tutorial services
• Computer-assisted instruction
• Student Achievement in Reading, a national evidence-based program designed to help struggling readers overcome barriers so they can progress to advanced levels of instruction
• Goal-setting and education and training plan development

College and Career Transitions Trained advisers assist qualified adult education students in making successful transitions to postsecondary education, career training and/or employment. The transition process begins with career exploration and research and continues through appropriate course/program selection, financial aid applications, registration and/or employment readiness and job search. Careers in areas of high employment demand are highlighted, along with an appropriate career path for individuals to begin.

• Integrated Career and Academic Placement System (ICAPS) programs (I added) provides an accelerated pathway to an industry-recognized credential through training partnerships- such as Career and Technical Education or an approved training provider- to serve adult education students, including English Language Learners, at the same time that they are completing their Illinois High School Diploma and/or improving their English Language. Instruction and training are supplemented by support courses, comprehensive student support services, and augmented by collaborative teaching practices between workforce training instructors and basic skills instructors.
• English Language Learner Advising and Transition Services - Advanced ESL students are assisted in transitioning to basic skills courses and/or college preparation courses and are provided assistance with advanced course selection and program planning. Advisers work with students to plan a program of study to meet individual needs and goals beyond ESL-specific programming.

Adult Volunteer Literacy Program:

Trained volunteer tutors provide tutoring sessions to adult learners (age 16 and up) to who want to improve their basic reading, writing, and English language skills. The tutors meet with the students one-on-one, in small groups and can support classroom instruction. 

Adult Volunteer Tutor Training includes 15 hours of preparation in andragogy (methods and practice of teaching adult learners). After training completion, volunteers are placed with at locations within JJC District. 

Instructional materials and support, as well as access to digital educational platforms are provided at no charge to volunteers and students enrolled in AVL. 

This project was made possible by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a division of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds designated for literacy.

Penny Severns Family Literacy Program - In collaboration with Plainfield Consolidated School District 202 and Plainfield Area Public Library, JJC offer Family literacy programming for adult learners including: Adult English Language classes and Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring, Free childcare and children’s tutoring, Parenting Education and Family resources. This project was made possible by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a division of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds designated for literacy.