Find Your Program

Adult Basic Education (ABE) Programs and English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs

Steps to an Adult Education Program that's right for you!

List of programs by region

To view programs by region, click West, Middle, or East Tennessee Programs tab
To view all programs in one list, skip to table below

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1. Do you need to complete your high school education or learn to speak English?

  • You've come to the right place! We in Tennessee Adult Education are happy to help you further your education here. We are here to help you get started on your journey.
     

2. Get connected to a local program.

  • If you are interested in Adult Basic Education (ABE) or learning English as a Second Language (ESL), please use the lists on this page to find your county or any county you choose. You will find websites and phone numbers for you to contact the local office of any program in which you are interested.
  • Contact the program you're interested in and get information on classes, virtual options, locations, post-secondary information, funding information, HiSET testing, and more.
     

3. Register and begin your classes.

  • At your request, the staff of the program will work with you to set up an appointment to attend orientation and to register. 
  • At orientation, you will take an assessment to determine at which level you will begin classes. Classes are available during the day, at night, and on the weekend depending on location, as well as offered virtually (online). 
  • As a student, you will work at your own pace and will take the HiSET test when you are ready. 
     

4. Contact us  if you have questions.

If you would like to request more information, please reach out to us at Tennessee Adult Education. We will be glad to provide more information on our Adult Education Programs. 

Email adulteducation@tn.gov | Call (615) 741-7054 or 1-800-531-1515 | Request Adult Education Information

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English as a Second Language (ESL)

English as a Second Language (ESL) students may receive English language acquisition instruction at their workplace, focusing on the vocabulary necessary to succeed at their job. If you are interested in learning ESL, please find a program near you and contact that program.


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Adult Basic Education (ABE)

Adult Basic Education (ABE) students may simultaneously work toward their high school equivalency and postsecondary training credentials. If you are interested in ABE, please find a program near you and contact that program.

To view programs by region, click West, Middle, or East Tennessee Programs tab
To view all programs in one list, skip to table below

West Tennessee Programs

To contact a program, call the number or click program name to visit website

Goodwill Excel Center, Memphis


Goodwill Excel Center, Memphis

(901) 726-3100
Shelby County

Shelby County

hopeworks1


HopeWorks, Inc.

(901) 396-8800
Shelby County

Shelby County

Northwest-TN-Adult-Education-Logo

Northwest Tennessee Adult Education

(731) 364-5481
Benton, Carroll, Gibson, Henry, Madison, Obion, Weakley counties

Benton, Carroll, Gibson, Henry, Madison, Obion, Weakley counties

Southwest Tennessee Adult Education

Southwest Tennessee Adult Education

(866) 801-4723
Chester, Decatur, Fayette, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, McNairy counties

Chester, Decatur, Fayette, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, McNairy counties

TCAT Northwest Adult Education

(731) 635-3368 Ext 3
Crockett, Dyer, Lake, Lauderdale counties

Crockett, Dyer, Lake, Lauderdale counties

tiptonco


Tipton County Adult Education

(901) 475-3479
Tipton County

Tipton County

To view programs by region, click West, Middle, or East Tennessee Programs tab
To view all programs in one list, skip to table below

Middle Tennessee Programs

To contact a program, call the number or click program name to visit website

CAPE-Logo
Davidson County

nashvilleinternational


NICE Adult Education

(615) 315-9681
Davidson County

Davidson County

putnam


Putnam County Schools

(931) 520-9519
Cumberland (East TN), Dekalb, Fentress, Jackson, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, White counties

Cumberland, Dekalb, Fentress, Jackson, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, White counties

sctennwa

Southern Middle Tennessee Adult Education

(866) 801-4723
Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Grundy, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry, Warren, Wayne, Williamson counties

Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Grundy, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry, Warren, Wayne, Williamson counties

Vol-State-Logo


Vol State Adult Education

(615) 230-3621
Clay, Macon, Robertson, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale counties

Clay, Macon, Robertson, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale counties

Workforce-Essentials-Logo


Workforce Essentials Adult Education

1 (800) 826-3177
Cannon, Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Rutherford, Stewart, Wilson counties

Cannon, Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Rutherford, Stewart, Wilson counties

To view programs by region, click West, Middle, or East Tennessee Programs tab
To view all programs in one list, skip to table below

East Tennessee Programs

To contact a program, call the number or click program name to visit website

Cleveland State Adult Education

(423) 745-5111
Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Polk counties

Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Polk counties

Northeast-State-Logo


Northeast State Community College Adult Education

(844) 637-5697
Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington counties

Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington counties

tcatathens


TCAT Athens Southeast TN Adult Education

(844) 688-7944
Bledsoe, Hamilton, Marion, Rhea, Sequatchie (Middle TN), Van Buren (Middle TN) counties

Bledsoe, Hamilton, Marion, Rhea, Sequatchie, Van Buren counties

TCAT-Jacksboro-Logo


TCAT Jacksboro/Oneida-Huntsville Adult Education

(423) 317-1060 Ext 7216
Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Morgan, Roane, Scott counties

Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Morgan, Roane, Scott counties

tcatknox

TCAT Knoxville Adult Education

(865) 766-4327
Anderson, Blount, Cocke, Knox, Loudon, Sevier, Union counties

Anderson, Blount, Cocke, Knox, Loudon, Sevier, Union counties

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List of all programs

You may print or download the list by clicking the "Export" button.

Program Name Counties Covered TN Region Website Phone Number

List compiled in May 2023


Explore Adult Education

Adult Education

Go to Adult Education main page.

About Adult Education

Adult Education, as part of the Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA), provides services to adults to build the knowledge and skills necessary for high school equivalency, employment, post-secondary opportunities, and economic self-sustainability.

En Español

La Educación para Adultos, como parte de la Ley de Oportunidades e Innovaciones Laborales (WIOA), brinda servicios a adultos para desarrollar el conocimiento y las habilidades necesarias para la equivalencia de escuela secundaria, empleo, oportunidades postsecundarias y autosostenibilidad económica. Para aplicar, llame a su programa local.

Get Enrolled

Find out how to get enrolled in Adult Education!

New Pathways

For adult students in Tennessee, the pathway toward attaining their High School Equivalency Diploma has never had so many options to meet their needs. Learn more about the different exams that can be taken and applied toward HSE Diploma attainment.

HiSET and GED Eligibility Requirements

Learn about the HiSET and GED exams and their eligibility requirements and how adult learners can earn a High School Equivalency Diploma in Tennessee.

Find Your Program

Learn about programs nearest you for Adult Basic Education (ABE) or English as a Second Language (ESL). Thank you for your interest in furthering your education here in Tennessee.

Diploma Sender Information

Request a copy of your diploma or transcripts

provider-resources

This section includes policies, guidance, and other resources for local Adult Education providers. Resources cover program management, data and performance, and workforce development.

Podcast

No Wrong Door is a podcast that explores how Tennessee is reimagining its workforce through innovative Adult Education initiatives across the state.

Request Information

Please fill out the form and someone from your area will reach out to discuss your options.

Contact Us

To contact Adult Education, call us at 1-800-531-1515 or send us an email at adulteducation@tn.gov.