Secondary Studies for Adults

Secondary Studies for Adults

Seminole State College offers the following programs to provide practical instruction for adults who are seeking basic academic preparation, a high school diploma or preparation for the GED exam.

• Adult Basic Education (ABE) Admissions
• General Education Development (GED) Admissions and Requirements
• Adult High School Admissions and Requirements

Adult Basic Education

Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes at Seminole State College are designed for students 16 years of age or older who need to improve their basic skills in reading, writing and math. Courses also help students improve their job readiness and prepare for GED classes.

• Admission: Applications are taken prior to the start of each term (fall, spring and summer) at the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus in building B, room 113.
• Testing: Placement is based on the results of the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE).  See the Testing and Assessment section of this catalog for more information.
• Fees: Students who have proof of residency in Florida for one year pay a $30 fee when they enroll in any term. Students who do not have proof of residency pay $120.

Please visit www.seminolestate.edu/adult-ed/abe-ged/ or call 407.708.2153 for more information.

Adult High School

The Adult High School at Seminole State College offers classes on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus that lead to a standard high school diploma for students 16 years of age or older.

Admission

Adult High School applications are taken prior to the start of each term in building B, room 113.

Students who apply for admission to the Adult High School are divided into two categories:

• Co-enrolled students: Students who enroll in the Adult High School while maintaining enrollment in their current high school must submit a letter of recommendation from a counselor at their home school stating the specific course(s) they are approved to take.
• High school transfer students: Students who have withdrawn from other high school programs and desire to complete the State of Florida requirements for the standard high school diploma. Students who wish to transfer directly from a Seminole County high school (or from a surrounding county) must provide proof of withdrawal from the previous school attended. If a student is 18 years of age or older or from out of state, the requirement for a withdrawal form must be waived.

All students must provide:

1. Documentation of age to qualify as 16 years of age or older;
2. An official, sealed transcript of all high school credits earned.

In addition, any student who seeks admission to the Adult High School and has been expelled or is being recommended for expulsion will not be considered for admission until the student completes the terms of the expulsion order and is eligible to return to the home high school.

Fees

Students who provide proof of residency in Florida for one year pay $30 upon initial registration in any term.  Students who do not provide proof of residency for one year pay $120 upon initial registration in any term.

Testing and Placement

Students who have not passed both sections of the tenth grade FCAT are placed according to reading, language and math scores they achieve on the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) and the following criteria:

1. Scores at or above 567 on the D or A level tests are eligible for admission without restrictions.
2. Scores between 516 and 566 on reading, 526 and 560 on writing, or 507 and 565 on math or the D level test are eligible to enroll in Intensive Reading and/or Intensive Language Arts or math based on remedial needs.
3. Students with scores as noted above in number two, in only one area, can enroll in additional Adult High School courses, pending a counselor, advisor or the Associate Dean for Secondary Studies for Adults’ approval.

Note: Students who do not meet the TABE requirements are eligible to enroll in designated Adult Basic Education (ABE) preparatory courses offered by the GED program.

Orientation

Students entering the Adult High School are required to attend an orientation session to:

• Discuss educational plans.
• Ask questions about the program.
• Learn about the College rules, regulations, programs and services offered.
• Complete the required registration forms for the first term of classes. 

Course Requirements

Students must earn 24 credits to graduate. Most credits earned at an accredited secondary school may be transferred and applied to the credit requirement.  All credits must be verified with a transcript or other evidence deemed acceptable by the College.

Required Credits*: 14.5

• English – Language Arts (4 credits required)
• Mathematics (4 credits required)
• Social Science (3 credits required)
• Science (3 credits required)
• Vocational Education (0.5 credits required)
• Performing Arts (0.5 credits required)
• Life Management Skills (0.5 credits required)
• Electives (9.5 credits)

*Please see a counselor/advisor for specific course requirements. All Adult High School courses and descriptions are listed in the course descriptions section of this catalog.

In addition to course requirements, the following are required for graduation:

1. A minimum of two credits including the final credit must be earned at the Adult High School.
2. Students are required to pass the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) to be eligible for a standard high school diploma. A certificate of completion will be issued to students who successfully complete course requirements but do not pass the required FCAT.
3. All financial obligations to the College must be satisfied.

Grading

A (90-100) Excellent

B  (80-89) Good

C (70-79) Average

D (60-69) Below Average

F  (59 or below) Failing

No credit is earned for courses with grades lower than “D."

Honors

Honors Recognition

Adult High School students taking three or more credits per term will be eligible for academic recognition if the appropriate averages are maintained for the Dean’s or A-B Honor Roll list.

• Dean’s List:  Students with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 – 4.0 on all work accomplished in the given semester.
• A-B Honor Roll: Students with a 3.0 – 3.49 on all work accomplished in the given semester. Students who have earned the required GPA will receive, by mail, a letter signed by the Dean of the School of Academic Foundations.

Honors Diploma

Students who have attended the Adult High School for at least two terms and completed at least six credits are eligible for academic recognition at graduation. Students who did not meet the residency requirements but whose cumulative GPA achieves the designated standard are also eligible to receive this recognition. The GPA is calculated on work completed at the Adult High School only. The designated honors are recorded on the student’s diploma and permanent transcript.

Grade Point Average for Honors: GPA 3.2-3.49; GPA 3.5-3.79; GPA 3.8-4.0

For more information about the Adult High School, please visit www.seminolestate.edu/adult-high/ or call 407.708.2129.

General Education Development (GED)

The General Education Development (GED) program at Seminole State College provides non-credit instruction to prepare students to successfully complete the GED test leading to a State of Florida High School Diploma.

Instruction is provided in the subject areas of reading, writing, science, social studies and mathematics. GED classes are offered for persons 18 years of age or older who need to complete high school. A special GED program is available for 16 and 17 year old students who have officially withdrawn from Seminole County Public Schools or a surrounding county school district.

Residency and Fees

Students who prove residency in Florida for one year pay $30 upon initial registration in their first semester and any future semesters. Students who do not prove residency for one year pay $120.

Admission

Applications for the GED program are accepted on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus Building, room 113.   

Students seeking to enroll in the GED program must meet the following requirements:

• Students 18 years of age or older must:

1. Provide documentation of residency in the state of Florida;
2. Provide documentation of age;
3. Pay program fee.

• Students 16 or 17 years of age must provide:

1. Documentation of age;
2. Official sealed transcript(s) of all high school credits earned;
3. A parental consent form signed by parents or guardians and notarized;
4. A completed GED application.

• Students who wish to transfer directly from a Seminole County high school or from a surrounding county must provide proof of withdrawal from the previous school attended.
• Any student who seeks admission to the GED program and has been expelled or is being recommended for expulsion from Seminole County Public Schools or a surrounding school district will not be considered for admission until the student has completed the terms of the expulsion order and is eligible to return to the home high school.

Students who attend, and successfully participate in GED classes for one full term and attain a minimum score of 470 on each of the subtests of the Official GED Practice Tests, can be recommended to take the GED examination before they are 18 years old.

GED Testing

The GED Test is administered monthly (except for January) on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus.

Test candidates must provide at registration:

• Documentation of residency;
• Proof that they are 18 years of age or older;
• A valid Florida ID or driver’s license;
• A Social Security card.

The current testing fee is $70, which is subject to change.

Note:  A new, online GED test format is planned for implementation on Jan. 1, 2014.  Unless a GED candidate has completed a passing score on all five GED subtests, and has been awarded a State of Florida High School diploma, the scores of all subtests taken prior to Dec. 31, 2013, will be invalid. As of Jan. 1, 2014, GED test candidates are required to complete all GED subtests utilizing the revised test format and content.

State of Florida Diploma Requirements

To receive a State of Florida high school diploma, GED candidates must:

• Attain an overall score of 2250 on the GED test.
• Attain a minimum score of 410 (average of 450) on each of the five subtests (Writing, Literature, Social Studies, Science and Mathematics).
• Satisfy all financial obligations to the College.

Graduation

Students who receive a State of Florida high school diploma through the GED program at Seminole State are eligible to participate in the School of Academic Foundations' graduation ceremony, which is held at the end of Spring and Fall terms.

Scholarships

The GED program provides a competitive scholarship program for students to continue their college-level studies at Seminole State.

For more information about the GED program, please visit www.seminolestate.edu/adult-ed/abe-ged/ or call 407.708.2153.