Adult Basic Education (ABE/GED)

ABE is the acronym used for Adult Basic Education. ABE is committed to the acquisition and advancement of academic and vocational excellence. Whether or not a person is considering a formal academic path, or looking to enter a vocational field, we have at our disposal all of the necessary contacts and resources needed to make your goals a reality. In addition, we have staff on hand that can accommodate the student in basic computer and software skills as well as prepare the student to successfully acquire a GED. We are the next best thing to “One stop shopping” in an educational setting. Please come and visit us today.
-- Randy Patterson --

Application Links

• Adult Education Application
• Release of Information
• NIC GED Release of Information
• NIC GED Testing Schedule Spring 2010

Eligibility Requirements

1. TABE and GED (if the student is not a high school graduate)
2. Soft skills Assessment
3. Career Information Systems assessment
4. COMPASS Test
5. The creation of a formal study plan

Application Process

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the costs of acquiring a GED?
  There is a registration fee of $10.00. in addition there is a $15.00 charge for each of the 5 test; therefore, the total cost of the GED is $85.00. If a test has to be retaken, there is an additional $15.00 dollar charge for each test that needs to be retaken. If you are unable to make a testing appointment, please call 1-208-676-8005 to cancel. Cancelations need to be made no later than 24 hour in advance. Failure to do so will create a $10.00 no call-no show fee; this fee will be due on the next day that you go up to the CDA center to test. If you are a member of a Federally Recognized Tribe, The CDA Tribe will cover the cost for your GED; however, the Tribe will not pay for “no call-no shows” Nor is it the policy of the Tribe to provide transportation for those individuals who are ready to test. The Tribe will cover re-takes however on a case by case basis.



• Where do I take the GED tests?
  All of the five official GED tests are taken at the North Idaho College GED Regional Office in Coeur d’Alene. This office is located on the north east corner of 5th street and Lakeside Avenue.



• What role does the CDA Tribal Dept. of Ed. play in the acquisition of my GED?
  ABE/GED prepares the student to successfully pass all 5 of the GED battery of tests. We perform a series of evaluations which include practice tests that are designed to expose the student to the skill sets required to pass the GED. When deficits are found we prescribe a personally tailored study plan to bring the student up to the level of rigor that is required to pass the official tests. There is no cost to the student for this skill training.



• What is a passing score on the GED?
  The GED is scored on two levels. The first is the individual minimum test score. The second is the overall average of the whole battery. Each individual score needs to be at least 410 out of 800 possible points. The battery average can be no less than 450. This means that even though a person may achieve a 410 on all 5 tests, he or she will still fall short in meeting the battery average of 450. For this purpose, we will not send you up to Coeur d’Alene until you can hit a 500 on each individual test.



• What are the five testing areas of the GED?


1. Language Arts Reading
2. Language Arts Writing
3. Social Studies
4. Science
5. Mathematics



• How does a GED stand up against a High School diploma?
  Recent statistics are showing that the level of academic rigor needed to pass a GED will meet or exceed the rigor necessary to make it through the average High School.



• Can I make it into a College or University with a GED?
  Yes, most State Universities will accept a GED. Nearly all Community Colleges will accept a GED. As for us here at the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, our GED students get into NIC without any trouble.



• What is ABE?
  
ABE is short for Adult Basic Education. Here at the DOE we have a very comprehensive ABE program. We call our program “The Pipe Line”. When a student comes in to discuss his or her educational goals we first assess if there is a GED or HS diploma in place. Once this is determined, and any appropriate preparations are completed we offer the student the CIS “Idaho Career Information System” survey. Based on the results of this survey, as well as the student’s personal interests, a career path and specific course of requirements and study can be determined through on off three specific academically centered directions. The first of which is a degree centered course of study which includes our new AAS degree in business management. The second branch is a course of study in a professional-technical field. The third branch is that of the pursuit of a broad range of employment acquisition through the development of skills. These skills include but are not limited to such areas as resume writing, software training, as well as soft skills training.