Basic Skills and High School Diploma Program

Program Overview

The School of Continuing Education’s Basic Skills/High School Diploma/GED Preparation Program is over 20 years old. More than 3,000 students enroll in the program every year to receive tutorial, literacy and vocational support, prepare for the GED examination, and/or achieve a high school diploma.

Our labs and tutorial centers located at each North Orange County Community College District campus—Anaheim, Cypress, and Wilshire (Fullerton)—are no cost and open entry to adult students, 18 years of age and older. The program is primarily conducted in an instructional lab environment, although we may offer direct instruction classes at some campuses such as Basic Mathematics and Pre-Algebra at the Anaheim Campus. Students may attend on a flexible, open-entry/open-exit schedule which allows the adult students the choice and responsibility to attend classes when time permits and study independently.

All course work is designed to be completed on an individualized basis and completion of course content is competency based. These courses/programs include: Adult Basic Education, Improving Individual Skills, the Learning Centers (Literacy Program: Introduction, Intermediate, and Advanced), GED Test Preparation, and High School Diploma subjects. We use state-approved curriculum and assessment and have began to enhance the curriculum by seeking alternative methods of instruction such as the use of current text books, online assessments, and distance learning/education.

Since 1999, the classified and certificated positions within the Basic Skills & High School Diploma Program have increased to meet the demand of a growing student population including the recruitment of a full-time manager in August 2007. We employ 5 full-time instructors—3 in the High School Diploma Program and 2 in the Learning Centers—and nearly 20 adjunct instructors. There are 14 classified positions (Instructional Aides and Instructional Assistants) throughout the program, not including the number of hourly tutors assigned to each campus. Almost 10 years later, the program recognizes the need to expand into larger facilities; increase classified staff support in the centers, labs, and the program’s administrative office; and participate in professional and organizational development activities located in and coordinated by a central department in the School of Continuing Education.

The Basic Skills/High School Diploma/GED Preparation Program consists of the following key components:

GED Preparation—provides the opportunity for student to take a practice test using standard paper/pencil or software which will provide the necessary instruction and materials for future success on the official GED examination. As of the winter 2012 term, GED Prep is only offered in the Wilshire Learning Center at the Fullerton campus.

High School Diploma Program—adult students may earn their high school diploma and are highly encouraged to participate in the Adult College & Career Transition Program to get a head start on preparing for college and/or vocational pathways. As of the fall 2011 term, all diploma students are required to attend the enrolled lab a minimum of six hours per week.

Learning Centers—School of Continuing Education students enrolled in a variety of program including Basic Skills & High School Diploma, DSP&S, ESL, and Career Tech Education may receive academic and tutorial support by attending 1 of 3 Learning Centers. Each student is assessed and provided assistance to meet his/her individual educational and/or career goals. Staff and tutors are available to work in small groups or one-on-one providing guidance and feedback.