Adult Basic Education

Enrollees may be in Basic Skills (4.0-5.9) or Pre-high school equivalency (6.0-8.9). These classes work on improving basic academic skills, such as reading, writing, and mathematics. The classes help students transition into high school equivalency classes.

Public assistance clients (TANF) may be eligible for childcare and transportation reimbursements when funding is available. Classes also are offered at the college's Blue Island and Tinley Park locations.

The State of Illinois High School Diploma, formerly known as High School Equivalency Certificate (HSE) test can give you the opportunity to earn a State of Illinois High School Diploma. Our courses are free of charge and prepare students to take the State of Illinois High School Diploma test. You will cover five subjects: Reading, Writing, Science, Social Science and Mathematics. The test is available in English or Spanish.\

The State of Illinois High School Diploma classes (9.0 and above in reading) are prepared for the State of Illinois High School Diploma test skills of mathematics, reading, and writing.

Moraine Valley is a designated testing center for the State of Illinois High School Diploma test. A person who has not graduated from high school but who successfully passes the State of Illinois High School Diploma test earns a certificate issued by the Illinois State Board of Education as being equivalent to a high school diploma.
As per the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), an individual is eligible to take the GED®, HiSET®, or TASC™ exam provided they meet all of the following conditions:

• 17 years of age or older*
• Does not have a high school diploma and is not currently enrolled in a secondary school
• Is a resident of the State of Illinois

* Underage testing requirements:

• If an individual is 17 years old and has been enrolled in a public, private, or a home school setting in the last 12 months, they must present a withdrawal letter from the last high school enrolled in before taking the State of Illinois High School Diploma exam.
• If homeschooled, the individual must also provide a letter from the person responsible for the homeschooling [e.g., instructor, tutor, parent, guardian, etc.] stating the program has been completed, the individual is no longer required to be homeschooled, and the individual has been cleared to take the State of Illinois High School Diploma exam.

Proof of withdrawal must be given to Moraine Valley Adult Education Department when registering for State of Illinois High School Diploma classes and emailed to ilhseiccb@iccb.state.il.us or faxed to 217-558-6700.

Registration and Cost

Applicants can register and pay for the State of Illinois High School Diploma test by creating an account at www.myged.com. Testers may take one test at a time at the price of $30 per test or all four tests for $120.00

Test Structure

The State of Illinois High School Diploma exam includes:

• Reasoning through Language Arts including an extended response essay.
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Science
• Social Studies

Constitution

As a requirement of Illinois Public Law 195, the Constitution of the United States, the Illinois Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence, and the proper display and use of the United States flag must be passed. Moraine Valley State of Illinois High School Diploma students will take the Constitution test as part of their Writing class.

GED candidates who tested on paper and pencil in a Cook County GED testing center from 1942 to December 31, 2013, and Cook County residents who tested for GED, HiSET, or TASC on a computer after October 1, 2012, will find their record on file with the Cook County HSE Records office. For all others, Click Here for Information on how to obtain your records.

Candidates may make an appointment to visit the Cook County State of Illinois High School Diploma Records office to obtain a certificate and/or transcript by calling 312-814-4488. Appointments in the office are available Monday – Friday (except on state holidays) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (closed 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.). 

Candidates must present a valid State ID or Driver’s License and bring a cashier’s check or money order for the total amount payable to ICCB-GED. WE DO NOT ACCEPT CASH, CREDIT CARDS, DEBIT CARDS, OR PERSONAL CHECKS.

Individuals picking up another candidate’s State of Illinois High School Diploma certificate or transcript must present a notarized release signed by the candidate granting permission to the Cook County State of Illinois High School Diploma Records Office to issue the certificate and/or transcript. A copy of the Candidate’s photo identification will be required along with the notarized release, complete request form, and payment. The individual picking up the certificate and/or transcript must present photo identification as well.

To get your Illinois High School Equivalency Certificate or Transcript through the mail, you must:

1. Download, print, and complete the Request Form (see below).
   1. Cook County Certificate/Transcript Request Form
   2. Formulario de Solicitud
2. Enclose a cashier’s check or money order payable to ICCB. Do not send cash or personal checks. All fees are non-refundable
3. $10.00 per transcript
4. $10.00 per certificate
5. Send the Request Form, copy of valid photo identification, other supporting documentation (if needed), and payment to the address below:

Illinois Community College Board
James R. Thompson Center
100 W Randolph St, Ste 2-010
Chicago, IL 60601
ATTN: Cook County State of Illinois High School Diploma Office

If you are a third-party transcript requester, you must have the following:

1. 1. The Request Form (see above) with the candidate’s signature on the form. No electronic signatures.
   2. A Money order, cashier’s check, or company check for the appropriate amount ($10.00 per transcript) payable to ICCB.
   3. Send the Request Form, copy of valid photo identification, other supporting documentation (if needed) and payment to the address on the form.

Certificates and transcripts will be issued in the name used during testing. We do not email or fax any credentials and/or transcripts. Turnaround time is 2 to 3 weeks from the time we receive the request. If the Request Form is incomplete (i.e. missing the candidate’s signature, etc.), there is no fee or incorrect payment, all paperwork will be returned to the sender for revision and resubmission.

GED, HiSET, or TASC Verification

For a GED, HiSET, or TASC Verification Letter only, please get in touch with the Cook County State of Illinois High School Diploma Records office at 312-814-4488 or by email at customerservice@cookcountyhse.org.

Third-Parties requesting verifications must send a release form authorizing the Cook County State of Illinois High School Diploma Records Office signed by the candidate. The turnaround time is 24 to 72 hours.

This program addresses the needs of adults who want to learn to read or improve basic reading, writing and mathematics skills. Trained volunteer tutors provide individualized basic skills instruction for students at local libraries, community centers, churches, and the college.

Following the orientation, students will take a placement test in reading. The results help college staff place students in classes according to your needs and ability level.

Student will need:

• A copy of the original withdrawal letter from your high school stating your withdrawal date, if you are under the age of 19. You must bring a copy of the verification of withdrawal to registration or you will not be registered for class unless you have a letter stating that you are no longer attending high school.
• No. 2 pencil with eraser
• Pen
• Your Social Security number

Please DO NOT bring children to the session.

Call (708) 974-5340 for more information.