Eligible BEdA Students

Requirements for Enrollment in Basic Education for Adults

Adults and out-of-school youth may not be denied participation in Basic Education for Adults (BEdA, ESL, GED® Prep, HSC, HSE, HS+) because they do not have state residency, do not have U.S. citizenship, or because they will not share their Social Security Numbers.

To participate in Basic Education for Adults in Washington State, an eligible individual is:

  1. At least 16 years of age;
  2. Not enrolled or be required to be enrolled in secondary school under State law (see the Documentation Needs for Students Under 19 Years Old section below); and
  3. Who also: 
    1. Lacks sufficient mastery of basic educational skills to enable the individuals to function effectively in society; 
    2. Does not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and has not achieved an equivalent level of education;
    3. Is an English language learner who has limited ability in reading, writing, speaking, or comprehending the English language, and—
      1. Whose native language is a language other than English; or
      2. Who lives in a family or community environment where a language other than English is the dominant language.

Documentation Needs for Students Under 19 Years Old

For individuals between 16 and 19 years old to enroll in BEdA classes for skills remediation (ABE or ESL) or high school equivalency prep (GED®), they must complete either:

  1. A Request for Approval to Test for High School Equivalency or Enroll in Adult Education Program form (for student who last attended at public, private, or tribal school)
  2. A Notarized Statement/Letter for Home School Students Taking the Test for High School Equivalency (for students who last received home based instruction)

For individuals under 19 years old to enroll in BEdA classes for high school completion (i.e., seeking a high school diploma in HS+), they must be at least 18 years old and either of the following scenarios must be true:

  • Option 1: The graduation cohort has completed/graduated; or
  • Option 2: 
    1. Obtain a signed high school release (can use Request for Approval to Test for High School Equivalency or Enroll in Adult Education Program form [WAC 180-51-050]), and
    2. Get approval of education program by former high school principal, and
    3. Have an assigned program supervisor to the student (a navigator should be able to fill this role [WAC 180-51-053(3)]).

Residency/Citizenship

There is no state or U.S. citizenship residency requirement for BEdA participation. Proof of residency of citizenship is not required to enroll in Basic Education for Adults classes.

Visas

People who are in this country on a student (F-1, M-1) visa are not allowed to participate in publicly (state and federal) funded adult education. 

People in this country as “nannies” or “au pairs” on a study exchange (J-1) visa are required to participate in college-level academic classes, not in BEdA. Homeland Security may have additional procedural rules regarding non-citizens.

Justice Involved Individuals

Justice Involved Individuals in a Washington State prison who meet the requirements of adult education and requirements in DOC policy are eligible to participate in BEdA programs offered at all correctional facilities.

 

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