Program Information

Classes at SSABE offers classes September through June and a summer term in July. New students are allowed to enroll throughout the school year. 

Steps to Enroll

1. Contact the AE office.
   Call (651) 306-3632, email ljacobs-buse@sspps.org or click here to submit a request for class information.
    
2. Fill out enrollment and policy forms.
    
3. Make an appointment and complete your assessments.
   GED/Brush up students will take the CASAS STEPS assessment. This assessment has three major areas: Reading, Math and Life and Work (applied and computation). ELL students will take the CASAS STEPS assessment. The tests are set up in a multiple choice format. Assessments are used initially to gauge students' education levels and are used throughout the program duration to measure students' progress toward their goal. In addition, assessments are used to keep SSABE accountable, ensuring that students are being offered the best possible educational opportunities. All assessments take place at the AE Center (100 7th Ave N, South St. Paul).
    
4. Register for class.
    
5. Attend the first day of class.

In the event of an emergency school closing, Adult Education (ABE) will follow the policies in place by the South St. Paul Public School District.

Click here to view Emergency Closing procedures

• AAA Math
• Advanced Reading - Adult Learning Activities
• Beginning Reading - Story Phonics
• Edmentum
• Free Keyboarding Lessons
• Khan Academy: Lessons in Math, History, and Science
• Mobile Apps for Adult Literacy
• MobyMax
• Multiple Subjects with Sophia
• Online Dictionary and Thesaurus
• Read Theory
• Reading & Writing-Online Learning Center
• Voice of America: News for English Language Learners

What are ABE's HSE classes like?

• There are generally 10-12 students in each ABE/HSE class.
• Teachers work with each student to set up an individualized learning plan based on each student’s goals and educational needs.
• Teachers provide guidance and instruction to each student individually.  
• Classroom environments are oriented for adult learners.   

What does the HSE entail?

The HSE Test battery is comprised of four content areas:

• Reasoning through Language Arts
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Social Studies
• Science

It can take up to seven hours to complete the entire test battery. To pass the HSE Tests, a test taker must earn a passing score of 150 points for each of the four modules, for a total of 600 points needed to earn an HSE credential.  Scores are not averaged or weighted in any way.

Where can I take the HSE?

The HSE Test is only offered at Official HSE Testing Centers. ABE refers its students to the nearest testing center, Inver Hills Community College. Click here for more information on taking the HSE at Inver Hills Community College or to visit the Minnesota Literacy Council's website in order to locate the testing center nearest to you.

What should I know about the HSE?

• The HSE is not easy. Students struggling in high school, or who have been out of school for a while, may need significant time to attain the knowledge and proficiency in order to pass the HSE tests.
• It is possible to take the HSE subject tests one at a time. All four tests can take up to seven hours to complete.
• Studying for the HSE requires the ability to work independently.
• Preparing for the HSE tests can take anywhere from 12-200 hours or more depending on the student’s entry skill level in math, reading and writing.
• In order to enroll in a HSE Preparation program, a student under 18 will need written consent from his/her guardian and an official drop form from the last high school he/she attended.
• Anyone under 19 will need to obtain an official age waiver from the State of Minnesota in order to go take the HSE tests.
• The HSE is an acceptable credential for college entrance.
• HSE test questions focus heavily on the ability to analyze charts, graphs, maps and text.
• HSE Preparation classes do not necessarily meet every day. Students attending Individual Study Labs for HSE Preparation will have a learning plan that is designed to help them attain content knowledge and proficiency levels necessary. Students should be prepared to attend consistently so that they can achieve continual progress.