The Adult Education and Literacy Program at Texarkana College offers several classes and training opportunities for students. To begin each course, students are required to complete enrollment paperwork, take an assessment, and attend Academic Enrichments sessions prior to beginning academic classes. Enrollment paperwork is available online at the Adult Education web page https://www.texarkanacollege.edu/adult-education/. Students who need to complete the form in person may do so at the office. Students may complete the paperwork at any time. Assessments are given based on a schedule for each program. Academic Enrichment sessions are held monthly, and students must complete the enrollment paperwork and assessment prior to attending. Classes are free and operate under managed and open enrollment, depending on the class location. Managed enrollment classes begin monthly. Open enrollment classes allow students to begin class once they have completed the enrollment process. The class format includes in-person teacher-led instruction, group work, individual work, and online work. Courses are offered year-round.
High School Equivalency (HSE) Courses
Students who need to earn a Texas high school equivalency certificate (TxCHSE) can attend classes during morning or evening sessions, or via distance learning. To be eligible for TxCHSE classes a student cannot be enrolled in high school and must be a Texas resident. A sixteen-year-old must have a court order to attend classes. A seventeen or eighteen-year-old must have an official school withdrawal form and parent/guardian permission in writing to enroll in classes. HSE classes are at no cost to the student.
College and Career Readiness (CCR) Courses
Students who have a high school diploma but need to improve reading, writing, or math skills to enter an academic or workforce training program qualify for a basic skills course by testing below the twelfth-grade level in one of those areas. Students who need assistance with college or career placement exams, such as the TABE (Test for Adult Basic Education), TSIA2 (Texas Success Initiative), TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills), or ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery), can take the basic skills course to prepare for the examination. College students enroll in the Non-Course Based Option of the course: Math 0030 and/or English 0030.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Courses
English language learners can attend class to improve speaking, reading, and writing skills in English. Students in this program cannot be enrolled in high school. ESL classes offer basic to advanced English instruction, have a diverse population, and students have access to an online program for additional instruction outside of class.
Integrated Education and Training (IET) Courses
Students interested in an Allied Health Course, such as Certified Nurse Aide, Medical Billing and Coding, Clinical Medical Assistant, Medication Aide, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Tech, Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Medical Administrative Assistant, can qualify for financial and academic support through the AEL Program. This program under AEL is called Integrated Education and Training (IET). Students attend the training classes for the Allied Health area, which is organized through Texarkana College’s Community and Business Program, and they also attend AEL classes to improve basic skills in reading, language, and math. The lessons are contextualized to assist with the Allied Health course. In addition, the students receive workforce preparation training. These courses range from eight weeks to sixteen weeks in length, and the training with certifications can provide individuals with immediate job placement in the local healthcare industry. Students must complete an application, take a TABE11/12 assessment in reading, and sign a contract that obligates the students to two hours a week of AEL instructional time in addition to the Allied Health Course time.