All instruction, classes, and supplies are free to every enrolled student at our ASU-Beebe
Adult Education Centers. Online class is also available at no cost to students who
meet certain minimum requirements. To take advantage of any of our free services,
students will take a pre-assessment of basic skills in reading, math, and language,
followed by a post-assessment after 40 class hours. This helps our instructors better
prepare lessons suited to each individual’s needs.
Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes are for those whose score on the TABE® assessment does not meet the level
required to proceed to the next step. These classes help build a strong foundation
for those who may have been out of school for a long period of time or simply struggled
with reading, math, or language in the past.
General Adult Education (GAE) classes are for those who score high enough on the TABE assessment to prepare for
the GED® These classes are for those who have a solid foundation in reading, math,
and language, but need instruction or practice with higher level thinking skills in
these subjects, as well as science and social studies.
English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are for students whose primary language is not English. These classes assist
with reading, writing, and speaking the English language. Enrollment includes taking
the TABE® Class-E to assess the student’s level of knowledge in English. ESL classes
are offered only on the Searcy campus.
The Workforce Preparation Certificate (WAGE) program is for any student, even if he/she already has a high school diploma. Students
earn the certificate by working with both a career coach and instructor to learn about
workplace readiness, financial literacy, digital literacy, as well as basic reading
and math. Completion of the WAGE certificate shows potential employers that a student
has prepared for the workplace by commitment to a goal in addition to achievement
of at least 80% on all coursework.
Brush-up classes are for students whose desire is to be academically prepared for college coursework,
but are uncertain if they have what it takes. Our instructors can assist with reading,
math, language, or all three if needed.
The GED® Exam may be taken at our Searcy campus. The only cost associated with this test is $16
for students enrolled in our classes. Once a student meets or exceeds the required
level on the assessment (TABE®), he/she may proceed to the GED® Ready Test after a
recommended number of hours of instruction, either in-class or online. Upon successful
completion of all four sections of the GED®, the student will have earned an Arkansas
High School Diploma. All graduates are encouraged to participate in our commencement
exercises to celebrate their achievement.
TANF Program (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) are service offered to individuals who qualify for TANF funds. In addition to our
regular free services, these clients receive help from a career coach with resume
building, career searches, interest inventories, mock interviews, goal setting, enrolling
in college/technical programs, and enrollment in our WAGE certificate course. If you
need a high school diploma, we can help with that, as well. To see if you qualify,
contact TANF career coach LaJeana Carroll at 501.388.2282 or career coach Lisa Harmon
at 501.388.2993.
SNAP E & T Program (Employment & Training) If you are a SNAP recipient and would like to be part of a program which helps you
prepare for and find employment, our E & T program is for you! Individual coaching
in employability skills, career interest inventories, resume writing, and other skills
is provided. The program includes a course in workforce preparation whereby you earn
a WAGE certificate.
Courses taken at the Regional Career Center are full academic credit through your
high school. Students are also eligible to receive concurrent college credit for most
of our programs.
The Continuing Education/Workforce Development Department at ASU-Beebe sponsors numerous
non-credit classes that are designed to meet the needs of the general public and business
workforce.
Through a partnership between A-State and ASUB, students may earn baccalaureate degrees
from Arkansas State University by taking coursework at the Degree Center on the Beebe
campus.
