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An Official Vermont Government Website

Adult Education

Vermont's Adult Education and Literacy program offers essential services at locations throughout the state with trained professionals. Personalized instruction is offered in mathematics, reading and writing, essential workplace skills and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL and civics education for immigrants). All educational services are informed and guided by the College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) for Adult Education.

Adult learners are defined as persons 16 years of age and older, who are not enrolled in school, and lack essential skills or a credential equivalent to high school completion. 

Find an Adult Education Program
There are 17 full-service centers and several satellite centers that provide a full range of services, including math, reading, writing, workplace skills and more.
Workforce Analysis
"A person with a high school diploma or equivalent earns an average of $9,620 more per year than a non-graduate."

Adult Education Services

Earning a high school diploma is a worthwhile journey. We can help you get there. The following services are available in your local community.

Foundational Skills

Adults seeking to acquire or improve their skills in math, reading and/or writing are able to access instructional services throughout Vermont at no cost. In recognition of the increasing demands of career and college readiness, this includes personalized approaches and technology-enriched learning.

Essential Workplace Skills

The soft skills essential to success in any workplace can be acquired with assistance from adult education providers, who also offer access to the Work Keys certificate. Work Keys is a nationally recognized work readiness certificate.

English for Speakers of Other Languages

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instruction is available through small group and one-on-one instruction, emphasizing a communicative approach to language acquisition. Basic English language skills are taught to meet needs in the workplace, family, and community life. 

Integrated English Literacy/Civics Education

Civics education is designed to prepare immigrants for successful participation in community life, and satisfactory completion of citizenship requirements.

College and Career Readiness Standards

The Agency of Education and the adult education and literacy providers have adopted the College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) as the key academic content component of the adult education framework of standards. This subset of the Common Core State Standards, adopted by Vermont in 2010, focuses on the skills students need in mathematics and English language arts/literacy.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Courses for Adults 

Adults can take job/technical training courses at 17 regional career and technical centers. Examples of courses include Computer and Office Technology, Culinary Arts, Health Sciences and Manufacturing. For a list of upcoming classes and funding partners please visit the Vermont Adult Career & Technical Education Association's (VACTEA) website.