October 18, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
A high school diploma remains the primary ticket to many entry-level jobs. It is also generally the prerequisite for advancement in employment, occupational training and postsecondary education. The high school equivalency diploma provides adults with the opportunity to grow, whether it is through further education, enhanced employment, or stature within the community.
Free High School Equivalency Classes are held in DeKalb County on Mondays from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Registration is Mondays from 4-7 p.m. and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. Financial vouchers are available to assist with testing fees.
Don’t see a time that works with your schedule? Ask about special appointments.
Classes meet at the DeKalb County Complex-Room 119
Call 1-855-516-0160 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
In order to enroll, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
•Must be 18 years of age.
•Not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school
•Do not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent
To begin, individuals will take the CASAS® (Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems) assessment to evaluate their reading, math, and language arts abilities. This will provide both the instructor and the student with an idea of where to best start the instructional process and insure that no valuable time is wasted between enrollment and successful completion of the program.
After completing some classroom instruction hours, students take another short CASAS® test to demonstrate academic gains and to allow the instructor and student to then work together in order to refine the learning process in order to prepare the student for the official practice test, or OPT. The goal is to assist the student to reach his/her goal in the shortest amount of time possible.
The Official Practice Test (OPT) has the same look and feel as the real High School Equivalency Test (HiSET®). The OPT allows the student to obtain firsthand experience answering questions written and developed by the HiSET® test creators. The results of the OPT indicate whether or not an individual is prepared for the HiSET®.
Finally, Governor Haslam and TN General Assembly have allocated funds to cover the cost of the official HiSET® exam. Individuals throughout the State of Tennessee can now enroll in classes and take the HiSET® in order to receive a high school equivalency diploma at no cost.