Adult High School Diploma Programs

This section will help you decide whether an adult high school diploma program is a good option for you. You’ll also learn how to locate and sign up for an adult high school diploma program that meets your needs.

What is an adult high school diploma program? How can it help me?

These diploma programs are for adults who didn’t finish high school, and who want to complete the courses normally required for high school graduation (instead of taking a GED or high school equivalency test).[2806] High school diploma programs are offered in most jails and prisons, and in adult schools and community colleges throughout California.[2807]

In most adult high school diploma programs, you can choose to enroll in traditional classes, or to complete courses at your own pace through individual study and regular check-ins with teachers.[2808] In addition, some programs also allow you to complete correspondence courses through mail or email with teachers (for details on distance learning, see PG. 876; for correspondence programs, see PG. 878). After completing all of the required courses, you will have to pass an “exit” exam, called the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) to receive your high school diploma.[2809] All students in California public schools must pass the CAHSEE before they are awarded a high school diploma. This includes people who earn their diploma while incarcerated.

  1. 2806

    U.S. Dep’t of Educ. Office of Vocational & Adult Educ., Take Charge of Your Future: Get the Education and Training You Need (2012). ↑

  2. 2807

    Adult schools are funded by the state and the national government. Cal. Veh. Code §§ 52501–52503; Cal. Code Regs. tit. 5 § 10560; Workforce Investment Act of 1998, 20 U.S.C.§ 9201 (1998); Adult Education Program Overview, Cal. Dep’t of Educ., www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ae/po/. ↑

  3. 2808

    Adult Education Programs, Cal. Adult Schs., www.californiaadultschools.org/cas/programs#core5. ↑

  4. 2809

    Earning Your California High School Diploma, Education Portal, www.education-portal.com/articles/Earning_Your_California_High_School_Diploma.html. ↑

How much time will it take to earn my high school diploma?

It depends. Specifically, it will depend on your current skills, pace of study, life circumstances, and learning preferences. Depending on the program you enroll in, you might work toward your diploma individually, at your own pace; or you might work with a teacher who creates assignment deadlines and a long-term schedule for you.[2810]

GENERAL TIPS

If you’ve already completed many of the courses required for a diploma program and have only a few left to take, an adult high school diploma program is likely a faster route for you than the GED.If you haven’t completed many high school courses, the GED will probably be a faster path to your high school equivalency certificate.But consider, if you have not taken many high school courses yet, and you have some time to spend on your high school education, you might prefer a diploma program because it can be an opportunity to explore new subjects and skills that you won’t learn in a GED program.[2811] WARNING: Watch out for scam programs, which will try to charge you money for a fake diploma. See PG. 863 for details.

  1. 2810

    See Adult Education Programs, Cal. Adult Schs., www.californiaadultschools.org/cas/programs#core6; High School Diploma (HD) Program, Cal. Dep’t of Corr. & Rehab. Div. of Rehabilitative Programs, www.cdcr.ca.gov/rehabilitaiton/high-school-diploma.html; U.S. Dep’t Justice Fed. Bureau of Prisons, Program Statement 5350.28 Literacy Program (GED Standard) (Feb. 1, 2003); U.S. Dep’t Justice Fed. Bureau of Prisons, Program Statement 5300.21, Education, Training, and Leisure Time Program Standards (Feb. 18, 2002). ↑

  2. 2811

    See Adult Education Programs, Cal. Adult Schs., www.californiaadultschools.org/cas/programs#core6. ↑

How much money will it cost to earn my high school diploma through a program?

If you’re currently incarcerated:

    In a federal prison: As part of the Literacy Program, high school level classes should be available at no cost to you. However, not all facilities offer a high school diploma program; some offer GED study courses instead.[2812]
    In a California state prison: A high school diploma program should be available at no cost to you.[2813]
    In a California county jail: If your facility offers a high school diploma program, it should be available at no cost to you.[2814]

NOTE: While high school diploma programs are generally offered at no cost, if you have a high balance in your trust account, your facility may decide to deduct some or all of the cost for some programs from your account.[2815]

If you’re formerly incarcerated:

Adult high school diploma programs may be available in adult schools or community colleges near you for free or at low cost. Many schools provide adult high school classes for free, and provide books and materials for free as well. Others may charge registration and tuition fees. (However, schools that charge fees may also offer financial aid to low-income students. Check with each school about fees and financial aid.)[2816] Also, community adult literacy programs may offer high school diploma courses and tutoring for free. (For a list of organizations that may offer this service, see Appendix A, PG. 890.)

If you choose a distance learning or correspondence program, regardless of whether you’re incarcerated or in the community, you may need to pay program fees and buy your own materials (for details about distance learning programs in general, see PG. 876).

WARNING: Be careful when choosing a high school diploma program. In recent years, the federal government has shut down several degree programs that were charging money for fake diplomas.[2817] These programs are scams. To avoid being scammed by a fake diploma program, watch out for the following clues[2818]:

!

    If a program lets you get a diploma without taking classes or tests, it is probably fake. The program offers free tests or classes, but charges for the diploma itself. This is a dead giveaway that the program is illegitimate. The program claims to be affilitated with the federal government. The federal government does not offer high school diploma progams. Only the states approve such programs.
  1. 2812

    28 C.F.R. §§ 544.70 (federal inmates who do not have a GED or high school diploma are required to take adult literacy classes), 544.81 (warden shall ensure every inmate with the need, capacity, and time has the opportunity to complete and adult literacy program leading toward a GED or high school diploma). ↑

  2. 2813

    Cal. Dep’t Corr. & Rehab., Operations Manual, 101010.5.4 (2015); High School Diploma (HD) Program, Cal. Dep’t of Corr. & Rehab. Div. of Rehabilitative Programs, www.cdcr.ca.gov/rehabilitation/high-school-diploma.html/. ↑

  3. 2814

    Cal. Veh. Code § 1900 et seq; Adult Education Program Overview, Cal. Dep’t of Educ., http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ae/po/. ↑

  4. 2815

    Interview with Carmen Garcia, Legal Administrative Assistant, Root & Rebound (April 15, 2015). ↑

  5. 2816

    Cal. Veh. Code §§ 52501–52503; Cal. Code Regs. tit. 5 § 10560; Adult Education Program Overview, Cal. Dep’t of Educ., www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ae/po/; Frequently Asked Questions, Cal. Adult Schs., www.californiaadultschools.org/cas/news/45-school-stories/118-faq ↑

  6. 2817

    Federal Trade Commission, FTC Brings Two Actions Against Operators of Online ‘High Schools’ (Feb. 10, 2016), https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2016/02/ftc-brings-two-actions-against-operators-online-high-schools. ↑

  7. 2818

    Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Information, High School Diploma Scams, https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0539-high-school-diploma-scams. ↑

How do I find and enroll in a high school diploma program?

If you’re currently incarcerated:

    In a federal prison: Soon after you enter prison, your Unit Team or Education Staff should review your assessment (from county jail, see PG. 853) and recommend classes for you. If you don’t have a high school credential, the facility will enroll you in literacy classes designed to lead up to a high school diploma (or a GED, if your facility offers a GED program).[2819] Ask your Education Advisor if you have questions about enrolling in classes.

NOTE: If you are in a California state facility you may be able to get extra tutoring support through the Voluntary Education Program (VEP). Ask your Correctional Counselor or Education Department staff if you have questions about the diploma program or VEP. Remember, to enroll in any education program, you must have a TABE score on file (see PG. 853).

    In a California state prison: If you’ve completed some high school in the past, and if your current skills are at a high school grade level (9-12), you should be enrolled in the high school diploma program at your facility. Education Department staff will review your high school transcript (if you have one) and TABE scores and decide whether you can enroll.[2820]
    In a California county jail: Check with your jail’s education staff to find out whether high school diploma courses are offered and how to enroll.[2821]

If you’re formerly incarcerated:

    Visit any public library or community bookstore to find free or low-cost high school level study materials, including books you may need for classes, as well as lessons you can work through on your own.
    Contact any public library, adult school, or community college to ask about free or low-cost adult high school diploma programs near you.[2822]
    If you have Internet access, search online for high school diploma programs near you:
    America’s Literacy Directory: www.literacydirectory.org
    National Literacy Directory: www.nationalliteracydirectory.org/
    California Adult Schools: www.californiaadultschools.org/cas/
    California Adult Education Provider Directory: www.otan.us/caaeproviders/
    California Community College Finder: www.californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu/maps/map.asp

Helpful HintFinding a High School Diploma Program

    TIP 1: Many community colleges offer dual enrollment programs or continuing education programs, which allow you to earn an adult high school diploma or equivalency certificate AND get started on earning college credits at the same time.[2823] TIP 2: If you have meaningful school, work, or life experience, find out if you can make it count toward your diploma. Some adult schools or programs might give you credit for past high school work, job training, work experience, community service, military service, or self-study. Ask the individual school or program if it will do this.[2824]
  1. 2819

    If you’re not fluent in English, you must be enrolled in ESL until you reach an 8th grade level in listening and reading comprehension. Also, if you don’t have a high school credential, you must enroll in Adult Literacy classes until you log 240 hours of class time or until you earn a GED, whichever comes first. See U.S. Dep’t Justice Fed. Bureau of Prisons, Program Statement 5350.24 English-as-a-Second-Language Program (July 24, 1997); U.S. Dep’t Justice Fed. Bureau of Prisons, Program Statement 5350.28 Literacy Program (GED Standard) (Feb. 1, 2003); U.S. Dep’t Justice Fed. Bureau of Prisons, Program Statement 5300.21, Education, Training, and Leisure Time Program Standards (Feb. 18, 2002); U.S. Dep’t Justice, Fed. Bureau of Prisons, A Directory of Bureau of Prisons’ National Programs (May 21, 2014), pp. 1-3. ↑

  2. 2820

    Cal. Dep’t Corr. & Rehab., Operations Manual 101010.3.4–101010.5.4 (2015); High School Diploma (HD) Program, Cal. Dep’t of Corr. & Rehab. Div. of Rehabilitative Programs, www.cdcr.ca.gov/rehabilitaiton/high-school-diploma.html. ↑

  3. 2821

    Cal. Veh. Code § 1900 et seq; Adult Education Program Overview, Cal. Dep’t of Educ., www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ae/po/. ↑

  4. 2822

    See U.S. Dep’t of Educ. Office of Vocational & Adult Educ., Take Charge of Your Future: Get the Education and Training You Need (2012); Cal. Veh. Code §§ 52501- 52503; Cal. Code Regs. tit. 5 § 10560; Adult Education Program Overview, Cal. Dep’t of Educ., www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ae/po/. ↑

  5. 2823

    See GED Preparation, High School Diploma/Basic Skills, San Diego Continuing Educ., http://www.sdce.edu/classes/high-school-ged-basic-skills; General Education Development, Clackamas Cmt’y Coll., http://www.clackamas.edu/GED/. ↑

  6. 2824

    See Rachel Aviv, Turning Experience Into College Credit, N.Y. Times (Oct. 30, 2008); Prior Learning Assessment Services, Council for Adult & Experiential Learning, Colls. & Univs., www.cael.org/whom-we-serve/colleges-and-universities/prior-learning-assessment-services. ↑