Adult Education and General Educational Development (GED) Classes
The course of study and materials are designed specifically to prepare adult learners to pass the GED test and earn their high school equivalency diploma. The GED test covers the following four subject areas: language arts, social studies, science, and mathematics.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are offered in Tuscaloosa County. English skills are taught by using real life situations, such as going to the doctor’s office or filling out a job application. A civics component is also provided.
Project Literacy United States (PLUS)
PLUS Tuscaloosa is a community-wide effort using trained volunteers to teach adults to read. The program is administered and coordinated by the Shelton State Community College Adult Education Program and is funded by the Department of Postsecondary Education and contributions from community organizations, churches, businesses, and individuals. PLUS Tuscaloosa has the following three goals: to raise awareness of the problem of adult functional illiteracy, to recruit and train volunteer reading tutors, and to encourage participation of those who need assistance with reading. To volunteer to help someone learn to read, or if you know someone who needs reading help, call PLUS Tuscaloosa at 205.391.2671.
Free Materials
Funded by the Department of Postsecondary Education, all classes and materials are free.
Am I eligible to take the GED Test?
In order to take the GED Test, candidates must meet the following criteria:
I.Not be enrolled in a public K-12 school, a private K-12 school, a church school, or a
private tutoring program registered with the Alabama Department of Education
II. Not have earned a secondary school diploma from a public school or a private
school registered with the Alabama Department of Education NOTE: Those
awarded the Alabama Occupational Diploma (AOD) as defined in §290-3-1-.02(8)
(g) of the Alabama State Board of Education Administrative Code are eligible to
take the GED Test, and
III. Meet the following requirements:
a. Eighteen (18) years of age or older
b. Seventeen (17) years of age, exited an Alabama public school, and present to the GED Examiner a Student Exit Interview form from the school system and a notarized letter from a parent/legal guardian giving permission to administer the GED Test to the applicant
c. Sixteen (16) years of age, exited an Alabama public school, and present to the GED Examiner a Certificate of Exemption issued by his/her local superintendent, a notarized letter from a parent/legal guardian giving permission to administer the GED Test to the applicant, and receive a minimum score of ASE low on the TABE Test of “Likely to Pass” score on the GED Ready Mathematical Reasoning and Reasoning Through Language Arts tests
d. Sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years of age, resident of Alabama, exited a private school, a church school, or a private tutoring program, must present to the GED Examiner a notarized letter from a parent/legal guardian that the applicant has permission to be administered the GED Test – the letter must include evidence of school withdrawal from school/program. For sixteen (16) year olds, a minimum score of ASE low on the TABE Test of “Likely to Pass” score on the GED Ready Mathematical Reasoning and Reasoning Through Language Arts tests must be received prior to GED Test being administered.
** Alabama residency is required for applicants under eighteen (18) years of age.
In order to complete the online registration for a 16 or 17 year old, the required documentation listed above must be physically submitted to a GED Testing Center.