Continuing Education

Continuing education provides a wide variety of learning and leisure opportunities for adults. Often these offering are fee based and may include the following:

• Adult Basic Education (ABE) – Opportunities for adults in need of literacy skills, basic skills development or refresher basics in reading, writing and math. In addition to basic skills and literacy, ABE provides instruction for adults with limited English language skills through English as a Second Language programs. Further down the continuum of ABE is the high school equivalency program that prepares a student to take the Graduate Equivalency Degree (GED) exam. Adult Basic Education is provided by qualified educators and further enhanced by the use of trained volunteers.

• College Credit Classes – Often a community college or university will offer campus credit classes at a K-12 school facility. College staff or adjunct faculty may teach this type of outreach program. Another method of instruction is distance learning, as the college provider utilizes satellite capability or perhaps the fiber optics network available from the Iowa Communications Network (ICN).

• Adult Learning and Leisure Opportunities – Many community education models provide non-credit classes for a more informal learning opportunity. These may include classes such as cake decorating, financial planning or a foreign language. There are many offerings in the exercise area such as aerobics, swimming, etc. Adult learners often take classes to improve their knowledge in a particular area or for sheer pleasure and enjoyment.