Adult Basic Education

At Central Minnesota-East Adult Basic Education (ABE) we help adults to become fully participating, self-sufficient members of our society. We welcome all adults, 17 or over, who are not currently enrolled in a K-12 school program.

Central MN-East Adult Basic Education serves the school districts of: Braham, Cambridge-Isanti, Mora, and Princeton. We are part of the larger Central Minnesota ABE consortium. 

The mission of ABE in Minnesota is to provide adults with educational opportunities to acquire and improve the literacy skills needed to become self-sufficient and to participate effectively as productive workers, family members, and citizens.

GED Orientation sessions are held on two Mondays each month. New GED students must attend an orientation session before beginning classes. You can find orientation dates on our class calendars or on our calendar links.

To register for an orientation session please fill out the New Student and Orientation Registration form in the quick links section of this webpage. 

Adult Basic Education Classes

Our ABE/GED classes are more like one-on-one tutoring sessions! Learners are able to come to the classes that work with their schedule, and at their own pace under the guidance of their teacher. The amount of time to finish one's GED depends on many factors:

• The length of time one has been out of school
• How much high school one completed
• One's internal motivation

During this time of COVID, learners may work independently online or in class. We are taking extra precautions to keep all learners safe, including providing everyone with their own writing materials and books/study packets. 

Adult Diploma (Credit Recovery)

We offer an adult diploma through credit recovery as another option for earning a high-school credential. Learners work with either the Mora Alternative Learning Program or Riverside Academy in Cambridge to make up their credits.

Requirements (not a complete list):

• Be 21 years of age or older
• Reside within the school districts of Braham, Cambridge-Isanti, Mora, or Princeton
• Be within 10 credits or less of having received their high school diploma
• Have the ability to earn all remaining credits within 1 year of beginning the program
• Take a Reading pre-test and pass at a minimum of a 6th-grade reading level

To find out if you qualify for the Adult Diploma program, please contact our staff by email or phone.

abe-communications@c-ischools.org or 763-689-6228

Age Waiver

You must be at least 19 years of age to take the GED test in the state of Minnesota. If you are 17 or 18 years old, you will need to apply for and obtain an age waiver from the MN Department of Education.

A learner must meet certain conditions (as described in the age waiver request form) before she/he may qualify for an age waiver, and must have a sponsoring ABE program to submit the form on his/her behalf. Please see this document for more details. 

Please contact our ABE staff to begin this process. 763-689-6228 or abe-communications@c-ischools.org

Click here to be directed to the MN Department of Education GED website.

GED Resources

What you need to know about the GED® 2014

What is tested?

Each subject tests your skills and knowledge in different topics

• Math - Quantitative & algebraic problem solving
• Science - Life science, physical science, earth and space science
• Social Studies - Civics and government, U.S. history, economics, geography and the world
• Reasoning Through Language Arts - Ability to read closely, write clearly, and edit and understand written text

How do I take the test?

• You may take the GED® if you are 19 years of age or older. Students who are 17 or 18 years of age must apply for an age waiver.
• Students must take the test at an official PearsonVue testing center
• The test is done on a computer
• To find a testing center and times, first, create an account at https://ged.com/ and click on "schedule a test"

The 2014 GED test is rigorous! It is highly recommended that learners study for the test before taking their GED. Instructors will evaluate your skills and create an individualized learning plan to prepare you for the GED test. Learners can work at their own pace and have the freedom to work independently or in groups. Study materials and access to technology are provided in all classes.

RLA Extended Response Resource

Please view this google slide presentation with audio to learn about and practice creating the RLA Extended Response.

Make sure you click the "present" button in the top right corner. The audio should automatically play as you advance through the slides.

Any documents referenced in the video presentation can be accessed and printed by anyone!

GED Transcripts

Individual Adult Basic Education programs do not have access to GED records or duplicate diplomas. If you need to request a transcript or records, please complete this form and send it into the Minnesota State Department of Education using one of the following methods:

• Mail: GED Testing Office, 1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville, MN 55113-4266

• Fax: 651-582-8458

• E-mail a scanned, signed copy (as an attachment): alice.smith@state.mn.us. 

Pre-nursing students may do distance learning study for the TEAS test through our Adult Basic Education program. 

Requirements:

• Register as an ABE student
• Take a pre-test in Math
• Commit to studying online

Other helpful TEAS links:

• ATI TEAS website
• Registered Nursing TEAS Test Study Guide
• TEAS Test Prep Review

What are your next steps after completing your GED?

Luckily, there are many tools to help guide you to choosing postsecondary education or a career pathway.​

We suggest following these steps:

• Take a career cluster interest survey. This assessment will match your interests to specific career clusters. CAREER CLUSTER SURVEY
• Based on the Career Cluster that matches you, spend time exploring career pathways within that cluster. EXPLORE CAREERS
• Take time to see if the career that interests you is an occupation in demand in the region in which you live. Visit the MN Employment and Economic Development website and use the "OCCUPATIONS IN DEMAND" tool. Click on the region where you live and automatically view the occupations ranked by demand, median salary, and projected growth rate.
• Use the online "MN STATE SCHOOL GUIDE" or the hard copy in your ABE classroom to see which schools offer the program of study that matches your career pathway. 
• Make sure you talk with an admissions advisor at the MN State school to find all available grants as well as support programs like TRIO to help you transition to college!
  • WHAT IS TRIO?
• This website, "College For Adults" will give you comprehensive information on selecting schools, the financial aid process, and success skills in college.

ACCUPLACER Prep

During this disrupted time of COVID, MnState schools are not administering the college placement test, ACCUPLACER. Instead, students are asked to complete a course placement evaluation request and may present high school GPA or GED test scores as a tool in which to aid placement. Visit the testing page here at Anoka Ramsey to view this information and find the course placement request.

Healthcare Careers

Did you know...?

• Healthcare jobs are the #1 occupation in demand in East-Central MN?
• Many healthcare careers are high-paying and require less than a 4-year degree?
• Healthcare careers cover a vast array of occupations -- many of which do not involve direct patient care like nursing?

Click on the link to the document below to see a sampling of healthcare job descriptions and median wages in East-Central MN! You can even watch videos that describe each job!

HEALTHCARE JOBS AND WAGES