English as a Second Language (ESL)

ESL classes are offered Monday through Thursday in the morning and Tuesday & Wednesday in the evening. 

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Work Experience Class - Generations Cafe

Serve the community, connect with customers, boost you English skills and earn impressive credentials for your resume. Available to ESL students level intermediate and above. 

Participants will:

• Learn marketing skills
• Create and manage budgets and inventories
• Study and earn ServSafe credentials
• Be connected with employment partners
• Earn digital literacy certificates

Session dates:

• Jan. 6-March 20
• March 24-May29

 

Great Rivers currently offers two pathways for obtaining your high school diploma or equivalency:

• K-12 Credit Diploma Completion
• Test-Based High School Equivalency Diploma (GED)

Upon enrollment our staff will help you decide which path will help you to achieve your goals. Additional information can be found near the bottom of this page under Current Student Resources > GED FAQ.

K-12 DIPLOMA

Our K-12 Diploma program is a credit completion program for adults not currently enrolled in high school to work on credits needed to complete their high school diploma. The program is best for students that have 15 credits or less to complete.

Licensed teachers are available for support and supervision. Upon completion of all required courses, K-12 Diploma students will be issued a SoWashCo Schools High School diploma. 

Students aged 17 or older, currently enrolled in their high school, are strongly encouraged to talk to their counselor if considering this program. Other alternative education options  may better meet their needs.

ged Prep and Official testing 

Our program offers free prep classes and readiness testing to those who qualify. Great Rivers staff will guide you through the process from start to finish. Official GED Testing is offered at the District Program Center (Cottage Grove) and Tilden Community Center (Hastings). For more information on when testing is available at either of our test centers, please call 651-425-6668 or log into your ged.com website.

Test takers must have a valid, current Government Issued picture ID to verify identity and eligibility for testing. This can be a passport, driver's license or permit, ID card, or green card.

Already passed your GED and looking for a copy? Contact the Minnesota Department of Education at mde.abe@state.mn.us

Benefits of Attending the GED Program with Great Rivers Adult Education Consortium

Attend free GED prep classes to prepare and become comfortable with the tests before you take them. In a GED prep classes you get:

• Licensed, patient teachers
• Individualized studies specifically for you
• Relevant curriculum to help you succeed
• Free GED Ready™ official practice tests when recommended by your teacher
• Registered students can study in our computer lab or at home online
• Guidance through the entire process

How do I sign up for official testing?

Students that have prepared for their testing must register and schedule their test times on the GED website. Walk-ins are not allowed as students must be registered on the GED website in advance. 

Students must pay for their test(s) at the time of scheduling, using a debit or credit card. Test(s) must be cancelled 24 hours in advance to avoid losing funds.

K-12 Diploma and GED Class Availability

• Monday, Wednesday
• 4:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. 
• Office hours available upon request. Please contact us at 651-425-6634

REgistration

To register for any of our programs, please follow both steps. 

Step 1: Fill out the E_Intake Form.

E_intake Form

Step 2: Fill out the Class Interest and Needs Form.

Class Interest and Needs Form

 

helpful resources

• GED Preparation and Testing Information
• GED Age Waiver
• GED Age Waiver, Explained 

Work Experience Class - Generations Cafe

Serve the community, connect with customers, boost you English skills and earn impressive credentials for your resumer. Available to ESL students level intermediate and above. 

Participants will:

• Learn marketing skills
• Create and manage budgets and inventores
• Study and earn ServSafe credentials
• Be connected with employment partners
• Earn digital literacy certificates

Session dates:

• Jan. 6-March 20
• March 24-May29

 

The ParaPro Assessment is a general aptitude test that is required in many states for paraprofessional certification. It also offers the district an objective assessment of your foundation of knowledge and skills. Great Rivers Adult Education offers free online courses to help you confidently pass the ParaPro Assessment.

The online course allows you to work at your own pace. Additional in-person instructor assistance is available for math and reading.

For more information contact Angela Schak at aschak@sowashco.org or 651-425-6668

Official Testing Registration

To schedule an official Pearson VUE or PSI test, please log into your account on their website. 

Certiport Testing - Contact Angela by calling 651-425-6668 or email aschak@sowashco.org
 

Stay up to date with upcoming classes and events for Great Rivers Adult Education Consortium, SoWashCo Community Education and SoWashCo Schools. 

Aztec

Click here to log in to your account. Not sure of your username or password? Email aschak@sowashco.org or call 651-425-6668.

Edmentum

Click here to log in to your account. Not sure of your username or password? Email aschak@sowashco.org or call 651-425-6668.

Learning Update

Click here to log in to your account. Not sure of your username or password? Email smueller@sowashco.org or call 651-425-6670.

Moby Max

Moby Max is used to identify and strengthen weaknesses in student understanding in both English/Language Arts and Mathematics. 

Click here to log in to your account. Not sure of your username or password? Email sevans1@sowashco.org or call 651-425-6169.

USA Learns

USA Learns is used for ESL students and also includes classes in nursing prep and citizenship.

Click here to log in to your account. Not sure of your username or password? Email sevans1@sowashco.org or call 651-425-6169.

 

 

How should I prepare for the GED test?

GED refresher courses are offered to adults and focus on basic skills including reasoning through language arts, mathematical reasoning, science and social studies. Practice GED tests are also available. Classes are taught by licensed, caring and patient teachers, Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Cottage Grove. View our the GED and K-12 Diploma program description for class availability and to register. For help, contact Great Rivers Adult Education Consortium at 651-425-6634 or email greatrivers@sowashco.org.

What is the GED test?

In Minnesota, individuals who do not have a high school diploma may be able to earn a State of Minnesota GED Diploma by passing the General Educational Development (GED) test. The diploma is recognized as a key to new employment opportunities, career advancement, post-secondary education and personal satisfaction. The diploma is issued by Minnesota Department of Education.

What are the GED tests like?

The GED testing program consists of four individual tests taken on a computer and include: reasoning through language arts, mathematical reasoning, science and social studies. Test lengths are as follows:

• Reasoning through Language Arts is 150 minutes (including a 10-minute break)
• Mathematical Reasoning is 115 minutes
• Science is 90 minutes
• Social Studies is 70 minutes
• Taking all four tests could be completed in about seven hours. Most testers take one or two subjects at a time.
   

When I'm ready, how do I register to take the GED test?

Take the GED test at one of our official testing sites. Convenient registration and scheduling are available online 24/7 at www.ged.com. Have your credit/debit card ready to pay for the tests. Call 1-877-392-6433 for help or more information.

Where are the testing sites located?

South Washington County Schools
District Program Center
8400 East Point Douglas Rd. S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016

Hastings Community Education
Tilden Community Center
310 River St. 
Hastings, MN 55033

How much does it cost to take a GED test?

In Minnesota each of the four GED subject tests costs $30, for a total of $120. GED test takers will be able to receive a $10 discount for their first GED test in each subject while funding lasts (maximum $40 total discount per tester). Use promocode MNGED10. You must have a credit/debit card and/or promo code if applicable and register online for the tests at www.ged.com. 

Who can take the GED test?

Persons who are:

• 17 years old or older (anyone 17-18 years old must have an age waiver)
• Not enrolled in or graduated from a high school
• Registered online at www.ged.com at least 24 hours before you want to take the test(s).
   

Do I need an age waiver?

Everyone who takes the GED test in Minnesota must first create an online account at www.ged.com. 17 and 18-year olds in Minnesota must obtain an age waiver before they will be able to test. Those under age 19 who create an account online will need to apply for an age waiver. The easiest way to get an age waiver is to enroll in a free adult education program and pass the GED Ready practice tests while supervised. Once your age waiver application form is sent by Adult Education staff and approved by GED staff at the Minnesota Department of Education, they will approve it on the GED Testing Service website. You will then be able to start scheduling official tests and paying for them through your personal account online.

GED age waiver, explained

GED Age Waiver

What do I need to bring with me?

You must bring and present a valid (not expired) government issued photo ID (e.g. driver’s license, permit, passport).

What scores are needed to pass the GED tests?

A total of 580 points or more is required to pass. Only subtest scores of 145 or more can be used to calculate the total score. Subtest scores lower than 145 must be retested.

How can I retest?

On the first two retake attempts, per subject area, you may retest without wait time restrictions. All subsequent attempts are subject to a 60-day waiting period between attempts. There is no maximum limit to the number of attempts per student within a year. The retest is given using another test and the cost is $10 per test for two more subsequent tests. We recommend additional preparation before retesting.

our mission and vision

The mission of the Adult Basic Education program is to provide learners with a comfortable, challenging, learning and networking environment to enhance work, English language and life skills.

Our vision is to partner with learners to create opportunities where students attend regularly, set personal goals, use technology and make progress while collaborating with community and educational organizations to create pathways for success.

Contact Us

Susie Evans
Great Rivers Adult Education Consortium Program Manager
651-425-6169
sevans1@sowashco.org

AnaLuisa Benavente-Teixeira
Great Rivers Adult Education Consortium Program Specialist
651-425-6634
abenaven@sowashco.org

Angela Schak
Great Rivers Adult Education Consortium Program Coordinator
651-425-6668
aschak@sowashco.org

Shane Mueller
Great Rivers Adult Education Consortium Transitions Coordinator
651-425-6670
smueller@sowashco.org

Heather Ferguson
Great Rivers Adult Education Consortium Business & Adult Programs Coordinator
651-425-6661
hferguso@sowashco.org

Ali Hedberg
Alternative Programs Coordinator
651-425-7019
ahedberg1@sowashco.org