September New Pathways

A graduate collects his High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma during a HopeWorks ceremony in April. (Tom Stolarick / Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development)

With More Test Options Than Ever, Tennessee Adults Can Choose Their Own Path to Earning Their HSE Diploma

By Karen Grigsby
Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Reign Johnson was a freshman in high school when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. She attended classes virtually her sophomore year.

Then her mother died.

Overwhelmed, Johnson didn’t return for her junior year.

“Me dropping out really wasn’t my choice,” she said. “I always liked school, so when I had to drop out, it was devastating.”

Three years later, at the suggestion of a family friend, Johnson walked through the doors of HopeWorks, an adult education provider in Memphis. In just two weeks, Johnson earned her High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma.

“It feels like a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders,” said Johnson, a grocery store worker.

Johnson attained her HSE diploma so quickly thanks to the New Pathways program offered by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Adult Education division.

Tennessee is Leading the Way

Tennessee launched New Pathways the first week of April, providing adult learners more options — and potentially a much faster way — for earning their HSE diploma.

Some states offer only the GED or HiSET exams or both. Tennessee is the first state to offer both of those assessments along with three others: the TABE exam, ACT WorkKeys, and CASAS GOALS.

Students must pass math, reading, writing/language, social studies, and science to receive their HSE diploma. They can take one assessment or more, but not all tests include all five subjects.

The multiple options allow students to take the tests that best suit their needs and learning styles.

“By providing multiple testing options, we ensure that each student has the opportunity to succeed and achieve their educational goals, regardless of their unique learning style or background,” said Brenda Feild, the Site Lead Teacher at HopeWorks’ Whitehaven location. “This flexibility is essential in creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment.”

The academic rigor hasn’t changed with the new tests, all of which are tied to national readiness standards.

New Pathways isn’t “dumbing things down,” said Alex Beene, Assistant Administrator with the Adult Education division. “It’s the same level of intensity of instruction and understanding of what the student knows and what they don’t know.”

The program is already producing big-time results.

Tennessee had its best July ever for HSE diplomas, with 253 awarded through the state’s Adult Education program. Of those recipients, more than half used New Pathways, meaning they took more than one of the five assessments to earn their diploma.

More Options, More Opportunities

The TABE test is not new to Tennessee. For years, adult education providers have been using the tool to assess incoming students’ skills and knowledge.

Now, with New Pathways, TABE scores can count toward HSE diploma attainment.

For instance, if students score a level 4 or higher on all sections of the TABE — math, reading, and language — they can then take either the GED or HiSET, both of which include science and social studies. If they pass those sections, they’ll have met the diploma requirements for all five subjects.

Monica Jones, the Site Lead at HopeWorks’ Hickory Hill location, calls the program a “game changer,” especially for adults eager to enter the workforce.

“They’re able to attain this HSE, put that … on their job applications, and enter the workforce sooner than they anticipated,” she said.

When Johnson first went to HopeWorks on July 9, she was given the TABE exam. She said she wasn’t expecting to take a test that day and at first felt overwhelmed. It had been years since she had been in a classroom. However, she said she took her time and scored a level 4 on all three sections. On July 23, she took the HiSET and passed both of her remaining sections.

“I thought for me to get my (HSE diploma), I thought it was going to take a little bit longer … but it only took me a couple of weeks,” she said.

Unlike Johnson, not every student passes a test the first time. But instead of waiting to retake it, students can now opt to take a different exam.

With the HiSET, students can attempt a section up to three times in a calendar year. When the HiSET was the only test available in Tennessee, it was make-or-break for students.

“That’s kind of discouraging,” said Jones, who also teaches a fast-track math class at HopeWorks. “It also can be stressful if this is, let’s say, this is September and we’ve already exhausted two attempts. So I go into this test thinking, ‘Hey, I have one more time. I have to get it this time or I have to wait until January.’ So now we’re about to tell students, ‘Hey, if you don’t get it, that’s fine. We can try another route.’ ”

Accessible to All

Adult education classes are available across the state to prepare students seeking their HSE diploma. Students can take as many — or as few — classes as needed.

Classes are free and available in every county. Many providers offer evening and weekend classes to accommodate working students’ schedules, and enrollment is available throughout the year, so students don’t have to wait until the fall to get started. Many sites offer virtual and in-person options.

Most students can qualify for vouchers to cover their exam costs as well.

Not all adult education providers offer all five exams. However, Beene said he anticipates more testing centers will “pop up.”

“As programs see the benefits of having more options, we expect more to come online for those different areas of the state,” he said.

In the meantime, adult learners should contact their local program to see which tests are provided in their area and to find the options that best suit them.

A graduate collects her High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma during a HopeWorks ceremony in April. (Tom Stolarick / Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development)

Meeting Employers’ Needs

During the pandemic, some businesses scaled back their educational requirements for employees simply because they needed “warm bodies” to get the work done, Beene said.

Now those same employers are putting requirements back in place, demanding more of their hires.

That’s where adult education classes can make a difference. Providers are increasingly working with local companies to ensure they’re incorporating sought-after skills, including communication and teamwork, into their programs.

“We try as much as we can to get feedback from employers because we know if we can match their needs while also teaching our core subjects, we can give students that full-rounded curriculum they need to succeed,” Beene said.

The Ability to Transform Lives

Whether career advancement or college is the goal, a diploma has the power to change lives.

High school graduates, including those with an HSE diploma, typically earn thousands more each year than those without a diploma. In Tennessee, the difference in median annual earnings between the two groups is $6,562, according to the U.S. Career Institute.

“If you want to continue to move up the economic ladder in this country and in this state, that diploma is essential for doing it,” Beene said.

Feild and Jones say the determination of their students to better their lives and provide more for their families inspires them.

“By equipping adults with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, I contribute to breaking cycles of disadvantage and opening doors to new opportunities,” Feild said. “Witnessing my students’ personal and professional growth and the positive ripple effects on their families motivates me daily.”

By earning her HSE diploma, Johnson has set an example for what is possible for her younger brothers.

“They knew I was going to always finish school,” she said.

Johnson says she hasn’t decided on a career. She plans to work and save money for now and attend community college later.

No matter her path, an HSE diploma will help her find her way.