Adult Education and Literacy
About Illinois Workforce Education
Economic and demographic changes are dramatically increasing the need for adult education, literacy, and English as a Second Language programs. Millions of Illinois residents lack the literacy skills that they need to obtain good jobs and to function well in an increasingly complex society. There is a direct correlation between higher literacy levels and higher income, numbers of weeks worked, children’s success in school, and individual and family health. Large numbers of immigrants have come to this country seeking education, work, and a higher quality of life, yet many of these immigrants do not have the English literacy or other skills to enable them to meet social, educational, and work demands. To address the scope and diversity of need for adult education and literacy skills by both individuals and employers requires a strategy involving a variety of providers. Community colleges, public schools, community-based organizations, local education agencies, and Regional Offices of Education are uniquely suited to provide the education and services needed by various groups of adult learners.
The Adult Education programs currently funded by ICCB’s AELFA program are identified in the Adult Education and Literacy Funded Provider Directory.
FY 2025 and FY2026 Adult Education and Literacy Funded Provider Directory
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act: Title II Partners and Information
The following resources are related to the implementation of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Grant under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
Ability to Benefit (ATB)
Ability to Benefit (ATB), a provision of section 484(d) of the Higher Education Act (HEA), aids in equity of access to Federal Financial Aid for adult learners lacking a high school diploma. The ATB provision allows eligible adult learners who are participating in a career pathway program as amended in Public Law 114-113 under section 484(d)(2) of the HEA at a Title IV eligible institution to have access to financial aid. However, the two currently US Department of Education approved methods of ATB are underutilized due to the challenges they place on students. Thus, an alternative plan has been created by Illinois, and approved by the U.S. Department of Education, to overcome barriers to postsecondary attainment and scale ATB use. The purpose of Illinois’ Ability to Benefit State-Defined Process is to increase access to federal financial aid for eligible adults without a high school diploma, who with proper support can be as successful as their peers in postsecondary
Other ATB Resources:
- ATB Approved Tests – November 2020
High School Equivalency
Reopening of Illinois High School Equivalency Testing Sites.
The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) has announced the reopening of high school equivalency (HSE) testing centers in public-facing, private, and walk-in testing facilities beginning June 16, 2020. All test centers must follow the ICCB guidelines for safely reopening, available here.
To determine if a test site has reopened near you, please utilize each respective vendor’s website for registration and scheduling:
- For GED® registration: https://ged.com/
- For HiSET® registration: https://hiset.org/
Test takers can find additional information on each exam and testing policies here: Test Takers
The ICCB is continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates through our website: www.iccb.org. If you have any questions, please free to email us at: hse@illinois.gov.
The Illinois State Constitution Test Requirement Returns
As of July 1, 2022, the Constitution requirement for awarding the Illinois High School Equivalency Certificate returns. It was previously suspended due to the COVID-19 virus and the limited access to testing. In order to complete the requirement, a test-taker will only need to complete the new State of Illinois Constitution Module.
The new online Illinois Constitution Module (Constitution Module) is available beginning July 1 at http://ilconstitution.org/. It is estimated it will take two hours for a student to complete. It is available for HSE candidates to take independently and does not require proctoring at a testing center. Testing Centers will no longer offer the previous Constitution Test. After completion of the Constitution Module, completers will be asked to provide information about themselves that will be used to match the completion with HSE records in the Illinois High School Equivalency Portal. Completers will also be able to print or download a certificate showing the completion.
A student who completed the previous Constitution Test or can demonstrate passing the Constitution Test in high school does not need to complete the Constitution Module.
The suspension of the Constitution Test requirement between February 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 means:
- Anyone who completed and passed an ICCB-approved high school equivalency exam (GED® or HiSET®) based on the State of Illinois requirements between February 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 will be issued an Illinois High School Equivalency (ILHSE) Certificate without the need to complete the Constitution requirement.
- Anyone who completed and passed a high school equivalency exam (GED®, HiSET®, or TASC™) but did not pass the constitution test prior to February 1, 2021, will be issued an Illinois High School Equivalency (ILHSE) Certificate upon request without the need to complete the Constitution requirement
High school equivalency records are held at the county level in Illinois. To request copies of an official transcript or Illinois High School Equivalency Certificate, candidates must contact the Regional Office of Education for the county where the test was taken.
High school equivalency candidates may find the appropriate Regional Office of Education to contact by searching our ROE locator at: http://iccbdbsrv.iccb.org/roesearch/citysearch.cfm
If you have any questions, please contact the ICCB at: iccb.hse@illinois.gov
Resources
- High School Diploma for Adult Learners Program
- Administrators & ROEs
- Students & Test-Takers
- Ordering Transcripts & Certificates
- HSE Verification Requests
- The U.S. and Illinois State Constitution and Flag Test
Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education
Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) is designed to provide immigrants with the combination of skills they need to be successful as they build a new life and career in Illinois. IELCE has four required components:
- Linguistic Integration Activities
- Civic Integration Activities
- Workforce Preparation
- Access to Integrated Career & Academic Preparation System (ICAPS)
Taken together, the IELCE framework prepares students to support their children’s education, find a job, navigate health care and housing opportunities, contribute to their community’s civic landscape and much more. IELCE funding bolsters educational providers across the state as they serve immigrant students and work with local partners and employers to determine how these student’s growth can also strengthen their community.
Advisory Council
Public Act 91-0830 provides for governance of Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFL) by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), stating the agency “shall establish an advisory council consisting of all categories of eligible providers; agency partners, such as the State Board of Education, the Department of Human Services, the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the Secretary of State Literacy Program; and other stakeholders to identify, deliberate, and make recommendations to the State Board on adult education policy and priorities.”
Minutes
March 2021 | October 2020 | May 2020 | October 2019 | May 2019 | March 2019 | September 2018 | May 2018 | March 2018 | September 2017 | March 2017 | September 2016 | May 2016 | March 2016 | February 2016 | May 2015 | March 2015 | May 2014 | March 2014 | January 2014 | May 2013 | March 2013 | January 2013 | September 2012 | May 2012 | March 2012 | January 2012 | September 2011 | May 2011 | March 2011 | February 2011 | September 2010 | May 2010 | March 2010 | October 2009 | May 2009 | March 2009 | September 2008 | May 2008 | March 2008 | January 2008 | September 2007 | May 2007 | January 2007 | September 2006 | June 2006 | March 2006 | January 2006 | September 2005 | June 2005 | March 2005 | October 2004
Adult Education Equity Survey
Adult Education Advisory Council Recommendations
Curriculum & Instruction Recommendations:
Policy and Program Resources
Adult Education Provider Manual
Area Planning Council Plans
The Area Planning Council Plans must be submitted to the ICCB Compliance email (ICCB.ael.compliance@illinois.gov) by February 1, 2025. Please reach out to your ICCB Program Support for questions.
Adult Learner Forms
Course Approvals
Directions for submitting course approvals and / or course modifications can be found in the Adult Education Provider Manual. Below are the forms and the links necessary to complete the submissions.
Data Management – Resources to help manage your program data.
Provider Updates Jot Forms
- Provider Updates
Remote Learning Find approved distance learning platforms or submit information for approvals.
Professional Development and Technical Assistance
The Adult Education and Literacy Professional Development Network is a resource for program administrators, staff, and instructors. Through a comprehensive system of face-to-face trainings, virtual learning communities, and online courses through the iLEARN system, adult education programs have tools and resources at their disposal.
Access the Professional Development Network here: https://excellenceinadulted.org/
Student Resources
The ICCB provides multiple opportunities and pathways to obtain a State of Illinois High School Diploma, earn an industry recognized credential to gain employment, or to improve your English Language Skills. Find an Adult Education program near you. Go to https://yourpathyourfuture.org/.
Candidates may choose to take a high school equivalency exam (GED® or HiSET®) and complete their Illinois State Constitution requirement. Alternatively, candidates who have already completed a significant amount of high school or postsecondary credit may be eligible to participate in a transcript-based Alternative Method of Credentialing. The eligibility and participation guidelines for each high school equivalency option are outlined on the pages linked below.
Transcript – Based Alternative Method of Credentialing
High School Equivalency Tests
Illinois Constitution Requirement
For information on the requirement, please visit the below link.