ABE and GED Preparation

The income gap widens

Studies have found that as education increases, wages increase. In 1998, a person without a high school diploma earned approximately $16,000 a year, while a person with a bachelor’s degree earned an average of $48,000 a year. Several years later, this income gap continues to expand.

Our program

Literacy Chicago offers tuition-free adult basic education (ABE) for adults who are low level readers and GED preparation classes for adults who are reading at the high school level. Professional adult educators teach all of our ABE and GED classes. The courses are organized in the following manner:

ABE I: Grades 1.0 to 3.9, ABE II: Grades 4 to 6, Pre-GED: Grades 6.1 to 8.9, GED: Grades 9 to 12

Courses may cover basic skills in reading, writing, math and critical thinking, as well as preparation for the GED test. GED courses include comprehension and reading in relation to social studies, science, literature, math, grammar and writing. Average class size for ABE is about 10 students, to ensure more individual attention. Average class size for pre-GED and GED is 20 to 25 students.

For more information on our ABE/GED program, please contact James Clark, Intake Assistant, at 312.870.1100, ext. 120, or Jclark@literacychicago.org .

Class frequency and location

Literacy Chicago offers ABE and GED classes two to four times a week. To accommodate our adult learners’ varying schedules, these classes take place during the day and in the evenings. Classes are held at Literacy Chicago headquarters, as well as in select neighborhood locations and social-service agencies on the South Side and the Near West Side.

Our students

Our adult learners may read at the basic skill level of 1.0 or at a 12.9 as measured using the TABE test. Our students are 18 years of age or older. They may be employed, unemployed and looking for work. They are often parents and they may be retired. Many of our adult learners are looking to enter a training program or are planning to earn a college degree. Our adult learners may be eligible for employment upgrades upon completion of their GED. Our students are diverse in their educational backgrounds and their life experiences. Our central location and easy access to public transportation combine to bring students from all parts of the city to our program.

Student orientation

To give our adult learners the best possible chances for success, we carefully evaluate their needs and help them assess their own strengths before they begin the learning process. Adult learners new to Literacy Chicago are given a basic reading and math assessment. In addition, the student will complete an orientation that includes an individual interview that will guide students in recalling how they best learn, past reading experiences, present skills and abilities, identifying personal literacy goals, and anticipating barriers and their solutions.

Opportunities for partnership

In addition to offering our ABE and GED programs, Literacy Chicago offers partnership opportunities to other organizations who want to establish their own ABE/GED programs at their location. Typically, we ask that the organization identify a minimum of 25 adult learners who will participate in the program. For information, contact us at Info@literacychicago.org or 312.870.1100.

For more information

For the testing and registration schedule, click here, or for more information on our ABE/GED program, please contact James Clark, Intake Assistant, at 312.870.1100, ext. 120, or Jclark@literacychicago.org .