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Earn Your GED

General Educational Development (GED^®) classes prepare students to take the tests required to earn the GED^® high school equivalency certificate. Preparation classes are offered in English.

In addition to the adult GED^®, BHC also offers an Optional Education (High School Credit) and Youth GED^®.

Optional Education & Youth GED®

Note: The ages to qualify for these programs vary, starting at age 16. Please call for more information.

Optional Education (High School Credit)

Optional Education is a collaborative effort by the six Rock Island County public secondary school systems, Black Hawk College, the Regional Superintendent of Schools and the Youth Service Bureau to provide educational alternatives for truant and dropout youth. Students may earn high school credits leading to a diploma or prepare for GED^® testing. Additional support services are available.

Youth GED^®

Designed to meet the needs of the younger GED^® student, Optional Education GED^® classes help students with few high school credits prepare for the GED^® exam which, in turn, will qualify them for employment or postsecondary education.

Early School Leaver Transition Program

This program serves 16 to 24-year-old Optional Education high school credit or GED^® students who are interested in exploring employment and postsecondary educational options. Career services offered include: self-assessment and career exploration; résumé, cover letter and interview preparation; job search techniques; training in employer expectations; job placement assistance; and guidance with transition to college. For more information, call 309-796-8252.

Stark County Youth Assistance Program

The Stark County Youth Assistance Program is supported by Career Link through a Workforce Investment Act grant. It provides support for qualified youth ages 16-24 to complete their high-school-level education then successfully enter work or post-secondary training. Special support and tutoring is provided to help students succeed academically when they may have struggled in the past.

FREE practice/prep for GED^®
GED^® test funding
Financial incentives for student progress
Job skills/interview training
Assistance creating a powerful résumé
Paid work experience
Transportation assistance
Opportunities to try out careers in welding, health care, computers, auto repair, office professions and more!

Our staff provides individualized coaching to help participants develop their character and plan for their future. For more information, call 309-854-1862 or contact:

Tami Rouse
trouse@careerlink16.com
Career Link Case Manager
Career Link
106 E. Williams St., Wyoming, IL
309-606-9060/9061

Training for Employment and Academic Mastery (T.E.A.M.) Program

The Training for Employment and Academic Mastery (T.E.A.M.) program is a Workforce Investment Act initiative designed to help qualified youth complete their basic education and successfully transition to work or postsecondary training. In addition to academic training, the program specializes in résumé-building, career exploration, workforce preparation, occupational and soft skill training, and individualized counseling to address character development. T.E.A.M. is available at all Adult Education facilities managed by Black Hawk College in Rock Island County. For more information, call 309-796-8242.

Cost of GED Classes

Qualifying students attend the Black Hawk College preparation classes without cost. However, students should note that there is a fee to take the GED^® test. For registration dates and times, contact us at 309-796-8216.

GED Enrollment Requirements

Students must reside in the Black Hawk College District and must be at least 17 years old and not enrolled in a K-12 school district (16-year-old students may enroll only with parental and K-12 school district permission). Optional Education/Youth GED^® classes are designed for students ages 16-18.

Class times and locations are subject to change based on enrollments.

Convenient registration occurs throughout the semester. An assessment during registration ensures accurate class placement within the program. Qualifying students attend classes without cost. GED^® students should note that there is a fee to take the GED^® test.

For the purpose of compliance with Section 511 of Public Law 101-166 (Stevens Amendment), approximately 39% ($377,444) of FY24 Black Hawk College Adult Education and Literacy funding comes from federal resources.

Frequently Asked Questions About the GED®

Who may take the GED® test?

Anyone who is 18 years of age or older, maintained residence in the State of Illinois for at least 30 days, and are not high school graduates, but whose high school class has graduated
A member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty, who is 17 years of age or older, and who is stationed in Illinois or is a legal resident of Illinois
A ward of the Department of Corrections who is 17 years of age or older, or an inmate confined in any branch of the Illinois State Penitentiary or in a county correctional facility
A female/male who is 17 years of age or older who is unable to attend school because she is either pregnant or the mother/father of one or more children
A person who is 17 years of age or older who has been a dropout for a period of at least one year
A person who is successfully competing an alternative education program under Section 2-3.81 or Article 13A of The School Code of Illinois
A person who is enrolled in the youth education program sponsored by the Illinois National Guard (Lincoln’s Challenge)

How do I register, make appointments and pay fees?

Each of the four GED^® tests are $36. When a student is ready to take a GED^® test they must go to GED.com and login to their personal GED^® account, register for a test date and time, and pay the $36 fee. Adult Education staff is available to help students create a personal GED^® account and register for tests. Although registration occurs through GED.com, all testing is done at either The Black Hawk College Testing Center, or The Rock Island County Regional Office of Education.

Tests are offered at The Black Hawk College Testing Center and The Rock Island County Regional Office of Education to take the test. If students choose to test at that The Rock Island County Regional Office of Education they must contact the office directly to set up a preferred testing date and time. If students choose to take the test at The Black Hawk College Testing Center no appointment is needed. Students are welcome to walk in during normal business hours to test. The only requirement is that students arrive one hour before close of business to ensure ample testing time.

There is no fee to take the Constitution module. This module can be completed once students have taken their first GED^® exam.

Black Hawk College Testing Center
6600 34th Avenue
Moline, Illinois 61265
309-796-5170

Rock Island County Regional Office of Education
3430 Avenue of the Cities
Moline, Illinois 61265
Phone: 309-736-1111

You can register for the GED here.

What is a passing score and what about retakes?

Students must obtain a score of 145 or higher on all four of the GED^® tests. Students who score above 165 (on any test subject) are considered ready to be college ready.

The Constitution score is not included in the overall total. Students who have high school transcripts indicating a passed Constitution test will have the test waived. Transcripts must be sent to the appropriate Testing Center.

Students are allowed to retake GED^® tests a maximum of three times within a calendar year. There is a fee of $10 for each GED^® retake test.

There is no fee or limit of retake tests associated with the Constitution test.

What if I need special accomodations?

Requests for classroom accommodations are to be submitted to the Black Hawk College Office of Disability Services. Requests for GED^® test accommodations are to be sent to GED^® Testing Services. Requests for Constitution test accommodations are to be sent to the appropriate testing location (Black Hawk College Testing Center or the Rock Island Regional Office of Education).

Black Hawk College staff is available to assist any students who wish to submit requests for accommodations.

Offered accommodations include: extended time, large print text, audio tape versions, readers, and scribes.

Form L-15 or form SA-001 should be requested when registering for special needs.

How should I prepare for the test?

Black Hawk College offers classes at no cost, at the following locations:

Outreach Center, 301 Avenue of the Cities, East Moline, IL or call 309-796-8216
Adult Learning Center, 4610 Blackhawk Commons Drive, Rock Island, IL or call 309-794-1072
Community Education Center, 202 E. Third St., Kewanee, IL or call 309-854-1875

For more information about prep classes please call 309-796-8216.

Area bookstore and libraries have preparatory materials available.
Online GED® Practice Tests are available as well at gedpractice.com.

How do students earn credits?

Cooperating schools require students to attend a class for a specified number of hours per .5 credit. While in attendance, students must complete the required assigned work at a passing level. Each class completed is worth one-half credit. Credit cannot be earned unless both attendance and work requirements are met.

Is Optional Education a faster way to earn credit?

Students have the potential to earn credit more quickly in their home schools. Students who complete a full schedule of classes at the home school have the potential to earn 7 credits per year. Optional Education has a shorter day (4 or 5 hours), so students can only expect to complete 4 to 5 credits during an academic year. Some students earn less due to poor attendance or productivity.

If I decide to enroll in the GED® program, what classes will I take?

GED^® students prepare to demonstrate that they have the same skills as the average high school graduate in five fields: Literature and the Arts, Writing Skills, Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics. Students are tested when they enroll to help determine what areas need attention. Instructors then work with students to design a program that meets individual needs.

If I decide to enroll in the GED® program, will I be able to go to college?

GED^® graduates are eligible to enroll in college classes. While GED^® graduates with high GED^® and college entrance scores may go directly to a four-year institution, many begin college at a community college like Black Hawk College. A college-bound GED^® student should strive to earn scores that are higher than the minimum passing score. The student should also consider enrolling in keyboarding and introductory computer classes. Typing and computer skills will make the transition to college much easier.

Contact

GED: Jennifer Sweborg, 309-796-5562 – sweborgj@bhc.edu

High School Completion or Youth GED: Laura Bragg, 309-796-8252 – braggl@bhc.edu