GED, ESL, & Literacy Tutoring
Earn your State of Illinois High School Diploma (GED) or improve your Reading or Math skills
Classes are available to Illinois residents age 17 and above.
Did you know that GED graduates are more likely to be employed and earn $10,000 more per year than people without a high school diploma? Getting your GED is the first step on your path to your career goals and will set yourself, your children, and your grandchildren up for success.
Steps to Getting Your GED
- Register by filling out the GED registration form.
- Students under the age of 18 must provide a high school withdrawal letter.
- Attend an orientation (intake session) to complete the reading and math assessments (placement tests).
- Start attending class and work through the subjects at your own pace (minimum 6 hours per week).
- Take each individual GED subject test (language art, math, science, and social studies) when you are ready. Most students study one subject at a time.
- Complete the Illinois Constitution module.
How to Register
Complete the registration form and then use the link provided to sign up for an orientation (intake session). If you do not have internet access or need help with the forms, please contact our Transition Coordinator:
To call dial 217.641.4951.
To text use 573.494.2114.
After the orientation, you will be ready to start attending class. Our staff will assist you in your studies and walk you through the GED process. We look forward to helping you achieve your academic and future career goals!
If you have any questions prior to registering, please submit a request for information.
Cost to attend
There is no cost to the students for materials or classes. There is a fee for the GED testing, but grant funds may be available to help pay for it.
Completing the GED
The time it takes to complete the GED varies based on the following factors:
- Current academic skill levels.
- Academic abilities and life experience
- Effort and time dedicated to the studies
Register using the link below
No orientations in December
For questions or information
For questions regarding the GED program, please fill out the form below or contact our Adult Education Transition Coordinator by calling 217.641.4951 or texting 573.494.2114.
Fall Class Schedule
All students must preregister and attend an in-person orientation before they can attend class.
| City | Location | Days | Times |
| Quincy | JWCC, 1301 S. 48th St. (D147) | Monday & Wednesday | 9 AM - 12 PM |
| JWCC, 1301 S. 48th St. (D147) | Monday & Wednesday | 5 PM - 8 PM | |
| Bella Ease, 721 Broadway | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (pick 2 days) | 9 AM - 12 PM | |
| Quincy Public Library, 526 Jersey | Wednesday & Thursday | 1 PM - 4 PM | |
| Pittsfield | JWCC Southeast Education Center; 39637 260th Ave | Monday & Wednesday | 9 AM - 12 PM |
| Mt. Sterling | JWCC Mt. Sterling Education Center; 108 N. Capitol Ave | Tuesday +3 hours of work from home | 5 PM - 8 PM |
| Camp Point | First Christian Church, 210 S. Ohio St | Tuesday +3 hours of work from home | 9 AM - 12 PM |
| Online | Remote | Flexible | Flexible |
Alternative Method of Credentialing (AMOC)
The Alternative Method of Credentialing (AMOC) is an alternative route for students who qualify to earn their State of Illinois High School Diploma by building on their existing high school credits rather than passing the GED tests. To be eligible, a student must meet all the requirements below. JWCC Adult Education staff will guide students through the process of applying for AMOC if the student appears to qualify but does not make the final determination.
- Have at least 13.5 credits from a state-recognized and accredited public or private high school.
- Be 18.5 years of age or older AND, at minimum, their high school graduating class must be in the third quarter of its senior year,
*OR be 17 if the student’s graduating class already has graduated. - Not have a high school diploma or equivalent credential, nor currently be enrolled in a secondary school.
- Be a resident of the State of Illinois for at least 30 days prior to the initial transcript evaluation.
- Read at high school level (determined by testing during orientation).
“It’s never too late. If you put the time and effort in, you can do anything.”
Melissa Baum
English as a Second Language (ESL) Registration
ESL classes are for non-native English speakers who want to improve their English language skills. There is no cost to attend classes. Students must be at least 17 years old and live in Illinois.
Registration and Attendance
- Complete a registration form.
17-year-olds must provide a drop letter or letter of non-enrollment from their local high school even if they’ve never attended school there. A parent or guardian must request the letter from the school. Our transition coordinator can provide more information about this process if you need help. - Attend the orientation/intake session scheduled on the registration form.
The orientation includes completing some paperwork and taking a reading and listening test, so the teacher knows your current English-skill levels.
*Online students must be at an intermediate skill level when starting. - After the orientation, you are officially enrolled and will be ready to start attending the class.
- Once you’re enrolled, you can continue to attend class for the whole school year, which ends in May.
- Students are expected to attend class for 6 hours each week. Missed time can be recovered by studying at home.
- Once you reach proficiency level (test at the advanced level), you will no longer be eligible for the ESL program.
- If you are absent for 90 calendar days during the school year, you will be dropped from the class and must register again and attend a new orientation.
- All students must register again at the start of a new school year.
Program duration
The time it takes to complete the classes is based on multiple factors including:
- Current English skills
- Language learning abilities
- Effort and time spent studying
Career Services beyond ESL
- Our transition coordinator is available to help you decide your future education or career plans.
- ESL students can enroll in GED class once their English skills make that possible. GED is high school level classes that can help students earn a State of Illinois High School Diploma.
- If you have a high school diploma or additional secondary education from another country (college, university, or technical school), it is possible to have your original transcripts translated and evaluated for transfer of credits (classes) or degrees. It is the student’s responsibility to get that done and it can be expensive. Our transition coordinator will assist with information about the process but cannot evaluate the documents or guarantee that the documents, classes, or degrees will be accepted by an institution of higher education or by an employer.
- There could be options for financial assistance for continuing education through a partner agency for eligible students.
Class Schedule
All students must preregister and attend an in-person orientation before they can attend class.
| City | Location | Days | Times |
| Quincy | JWCC, 1301 S. 48th St. (D147) | Monday & Wednesday | 1 PM - 4 PM |
| Pittsfield | JWCC Southeast Education Center, 39637 260th Ave | Wednesday | 5 PM - 8 PM |
| Online | Online (must have internet, camera, and microphone) | Monday & Wednesday | 6 PM - 8 PM |
Literacy
Do you need help improving your reading or math skills, or need to learn English as a Second Language?
Adults who live in the JWCC district, are 17 years or older, and not enrolled in high school, may be eligible to enroll in the Literacy Services program. Students will be matched with a trained volunteer tutor and will meet once a week at a time and place that is convenient. The program is free and confidential.
Become a Volunteer Tutor!
The goal of Literacy Services is to reduce adult illiteracy within the JWCC District by providing effective, non-threatening, and easily accessible literacy instruction and by building public awareness of the issue of adult illiteracy. Tutors may enroll in the program anytime during the year.
Literacy Services matches trained volunteers on a one-to-one basis with non-reading or low-level reading adults, and with adults who need to learn English as a Second Language. The program is free to both tutors and students. Tutors are provided required free training. Times and locations for tutoring are flexible and worked out between tutor and learner. Privacy and confidentiality are assured as students proceed through lessons designed to help them meet their personal goals.
