As used in this article:”Adult basic education” means education for adults that enables them to express themselves orally and in writing, read, access information and resources, make decisions, act independently and interact with others, and continue lifelong learning to cope with and compete successfully in a global economy.”Adult education program” means an instructional program below the college credit level provided by public schools for persons over the age of compulsory school attendance specified in § 22.1-254 who are not enrolled in the regular public school program, including adult basic education, credit programs, cultural adult education, external diploma programs, general adult education, and programs preparing students to pass a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education.”Credit program” means a program of academic courses that are available to adults to enable them to complete the regular requirements for a high school diploma.”Cultural adult education” means English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), the preparation of foreign-born adults for participation in American life or for becoming American citizens, and other educational services for foreign-born adults.”External diploma program” means a program in which adults who did not complete high school may earn a high school diploma by demonstrating with 100 percent mastery the 65 competencies established and validated by the American Council on Education.”General adult education” means academic, cultural, and avocational instruction that may be obtained through programs other than high school credit programs, programs preparing students to pass a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education, or an external diploma program (EDP) approved by the Board of Education.”High school equivalency program” means a program of preparation and instruction for adults who did not complete high school, for students who have been granted permission by the superintendent of the school division in which they are or were last enrolled to take a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education, and for those who have been ordered by a court to participate in the program.

History

Code 1950, § 22-360; 1978, c. 522; 1980, c. 559; 1999, c. 564; 2006, c. 335; 2014, c. 84.