Adult Education State Office (ABE)

The Adult Education Office is focused on meeting the educational needs of adult learners.  It offers several programs to provide the educationally disadvantaged adults of the community the opportunities to acquire basic skills necessary to function more effectively and productively, to gain upward mobility, and to provide the opportunities that will prepare them to pursue further education and/or enter the workforce. 

The CNMI Adult Education Program has been designed for:

  • Adult students (16 years old and older) who did not complete their high school education, but plan to complete the HiSET examinations or adult school program;
  • Adult literacy students to improve their basic reading, writing, and/or mathematics skill(s);
  • Adults to be prepared for entry-level jobs or career training; and
  • Adults who are parents preparing to become effective first teachers of their children.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA)

Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA), Adult Basic Education (ABE) strives to:

  1. Strengthen Core Partnerships
  2. Share Data (Performance Goals and Assessment)
  3. Address Skills Gap (Career Pathways)

Adult Basic Education believes that building career pathways will provide students with the skills, education, work-based training opportunities, resources, support, and accommodations needed to gain employment. ABE also works to strengthen the career pathway process by improving the delivery and transition into the workforce through its Workplace Success Training.

Workplace Success Training is a 12-hour training offered by the Adult Basic Education office. At the end of the training, participants receive a Certificate of Completion that can be added to their resumes and will give them an edge when applying for jobs. This training focuses on soft skills to improve the overall workplace success of its participants. The topics include basic workplace skills, etiquette, and overall prepares the participant with finding, getting, and keeping a job.

Workplace Success Training Topics:

  1. O’Net Career Exploration & Career Planning
  2. Working with Others & Meeting Workplace Expectations
  3. Getting Ahead & Resume Building
  4. Managing Yourself & Interview Etiquette

The Adult Education Office is focused on meeting the educational needs of adult learners.  It offers several programs to provide the educationally disadvantaged adults of the community the opportunities to acquire basic skills necessary to function more effectively and productively, to gain upward mobility, and to provide the opportunities that will prepare them to pursue further education and/or enter the workforce. 

The CNMI Adult Education Program has been designed for:

  • Adult students (16 years old and older) who did not complete their high school education, but plan to complete the HiSET examinations or adult school program;
  • Adult literacy students to improve their basic reading, writing, and/or mathematics skill(s);
  • Adults to be prepared for entry-level jobs or career training; and
  • Adults who are parents preparing to become effective first teachers of their children.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA)

Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA), Adult Basic Education (ABE) strives to:

  1. Strengthen Core Partnerships
  2. Share Data (Performance Goals and Assessment)
  3. Address Skills Gap (Career Pathways)

Adult Basic Education believes that building career pathways will provide students with the skills, education, work-based training opportunities, resources, support, and accommodations needed to gain employment. ABE also works to strengthen the career pathway process by improving the delivery and transition into the workforce through its Workplace Success Training.

Workplace Success Training is a 12-hour training offered by the Adult Basic Education office. At the end of the training, participants receive a Certificate of Completion that can be added to their resumes and will give them an edge when applying for jobs. This training focuses on soft skills to improve the overall workplace success of its participants. The topics include basic workplace skills, etiquette, and overall prepares the participant with finding, getting, and keeping a job.

Workplace Success Training Topics:

  1. O’Net Career Exploration & Career Planning
  2. Working with Others & Meeting Workplace Expectations
  3. Getting Ahead & Resume Building
  4. Managing Yourself & Interview Etiquette

Eligibility

Who is Eligible? 

  • 16 years or older; and
  • Is NOT enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under State law; and
  • Has NOT achieved an equivalent level of education;
  • Is an English Language Learner

(Taken from the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act of 2014)

How to Apply:

  1. Call or visit the ABE office to make an appointment with an advisor  to go through application
  2. Advisor will create a schedule for you to take the Reading and Math assessment tests
  3. Complete the O*Net Interest Profiler Survey
  4. After results of both placement tests are in, you can register for courses

Required Documents

For U.S. and FAS Citizens:

  • Birth Certificate (Clerk of Court copy ONLY);
  • Valid Government Issued ID;
  • Social Security Number (required by TOPSpro Data Entry); and
  • For minors under 18 years old: Certification letter issued by the last school attended (official letterhead)

For Non-Residents, Permanent Residents, and Contract Workers:

  • Birth Certificate (Clerk of Court copy ONLY);
  • Government Issued ID
  • Employment Permit (copy)
  • U.S. Green Card (Copy)
  • Social Security Number (required by CASAS TOPSpro Data Entry)

Fees:  Non-U.S. Status Tuition $40.00 per subject

Programs

High School Equivalency Diploma Programs

HiSET®: A high school equivalency credential created by ETS (Educational Testing Service). The HiSET exam can help change your life and expand your opportunities like it’s done for other test-takers. The HiSET Exam covers Language Arts - Reading, Language Arts - Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. After taking and passing the HISET exam, you’ll have demonstrated you have the same skills and knowledge as a high school graduate. The state will issue a high school equivalency (HSE) credential/diploma. The HSE credential you receive is recognized and accepted by every state, territory, and jurisdiction, as well as by the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. military, and federal programs. Having an HSE credential will expand the opportunities available to you. For more information visit hiset.ets.org or visit the ABE office.

Adult School

A local-based diploma program that focuses on life and work skills. Established in the spring of 1997, completion of Phase I: Academic Skills and Phase II: Career Skills leads to a high school equivalency diploma. Academic Skills consists of a series of five modules covering important skills needed for everyday life: Occupational Knowledge, Community Resources, Consumer Economics, Government and Law, and Health. Built into these five modules are mathematics and critical thinking and reading skills. Career Skills consists of three choices: Career Courses, On-the-job Experience, and Advanced Academic Skills. Upon completion of both phases, you will receive a high school equivalency diploma. For more information, please visit the ABE office.

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