The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) supports both face-to-face and online adult education programs for students ages 16 and older who are not currently enrolled in traditional public schools.

DDOE believes it is never too late to get an education. Adult education is available for students who want to increase their skills to get a job or job promotion, access vocational training, prepare for college, support their children in school or even become more active in their communities.

Learn more about the following adult education options in Delaware:

Adult Basic Education

Prepare for ABE/GED®.

Improve your reading, mathematics and writing skills while preparing for a GED® or entry into employment, training or more education.

High School Diploma

Attend James Groves Adult High School or find an alternative high school degree program.

Get a State of Delaware high school diploma by completing your high school graduation requirements.

Family Literacy Programs

Discover academic, parenting, and work readiness skills.

Receive academic, parenting, and work readiness skills while your child receives school readiness skills or homework skills to be successful in school. Both you and your child will learn together!

Multilingual Learners

Learn about English as a Second Language (ESL) and IELCE programs.

Find information on the English-as-a-second-language (ESL) program and/or the English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) program.

Learner Resources

Questions to Ask Before Selecting a School

Before registering for a school, it is important to make sure you are selecting a school that meets your needs. Here are some suggestions for determining if a school is the “right fit” for you.

When considering an adult education school, ask about the school’s statement of purpose and philosophy to determine if the school fits your needs.

Certification of school teachers and administrators is not required. However, it is important to know the quality of the teachers in the school. Some questions that may help you determine the quality of teachers in the school are:

  • Do all teachers hold four-year college or university degrees?
  • Does the school provide continuing education programs for its teachers?
  • How long has the principal or school head been at the school and what is his or her administrative qualification and background?

It is important that the instruction you receive is valued by post-secondary institutions, training schools or employers. Some questions that can help you determine the value of the instruction are:

  • What is the school’s evidence of successful placement of graduates in employment?
  • How many students have been placed and what are the names of some employers?
  • What is the school’s evidence of successful placement of graduates in post-secondary schools?
  • How many students have entered post-secondary institutions or training schools and what are the names of these schools?
  • What curriculum is being used by the school? It is best to review the curriculum yourself to determine if it fits your needs.

By what authority does the school issue report cards, diplomas and transcripts? It is always wise to check with post-secondary institutions, training schools or prospective employers to determine whether or not they accept diplomas and transcripts from any school before registering with that school.

Most postsecondary training programs, colleges and prospective employers require that the applicant’s high school diploma and transcript is from an accredited school. Usually, the accreditation process is conducted through a private education agency or association that has evaluated the program and verified that it meets certain requirements. Accreditation can be an important clue to a school’s ability to provide appropriate training and education.

Schools do not have to be accredited. However, if a school is accredited by a regionally or nationally recognized accrediting association, it is evidence that a school has been evaluated as meeting the association’s standards. Examples of a regional accreditation agency in the MidAtlantic States, including Delaware, are the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools and the Middle States Commission of Higher Education.

You may inquire of the school if it is regionally or nationally accredited? If so, what is the name of the accreditation association? Similar to evaluating the school’s curriculum, it is best to review the mission and extent of the accreditation association yourself before making any final decisions.

Adult education schools have specific policies and practices governing financial matters. Some questions you may want to ask are:

  • What are all the fees charged by the school?
  • What is the history and financial stability of the school?
  • What are the policies and practices concerning payment of fees?
  • What is the refund policy?

Adult education schools are governed in a variety of ways: some by elected school boards, some by specific churches or religious bodies, and some by boards of trustees. Those in governance determine how the school operates and what is taught. You might ask what form of governance is used by the school you are considering.

Delaware’s WIOA state plan

Adult education is essential to Delaware’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) state plan. DDOE is also responsible for providing services outlined in the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act under Title II of the federal WIOA. Adult education and family literacy services are outlined in Title 14, Chapter 1, Subchapter II, § 122 (18) of the Delaware Code.

Report a Problem

If you’re not satisfied with the quality of the instruction you receive, talk to faculty members or the school administration. If your dissatisfaction relates to your contract with the school, try to resolve your dispute with the school. If that doesn’t work, you can file a complaint with the:

  • School’s accrediting organization, or
  • Department of Justice Fraud and Consumer Protection Unit at 302-577-8600.

GED/Groves Transcripts

Get copies of transcripts and verify student enrollment for Groves Adult High School and Delaware GED programs.

GED® transcripts, certificates and verifications: Available online at DiplomaSender or by calling 855-313-5799. For assistance, email Support@DiplomaSender.com or call 855-876-3774.

James H. Groves Adult High School verifications:

Additional Resources

  • USA Learns – Practice English speaking, listening, vocabulary, pronunciation, reading, writing and grammar. Provides additional information specific to English learners.

  • FY18 Adult Education Annual Report – Get more information on the effectiveness of Delaware’s adult education system. Includes adult learner data such skills gains, enrollment percentages and financial information.

Educator Resources

If you are looking for information on prison education, please see Adult Prison Education.

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns please call 302-857-3340.