Find Your Program
Adult Basic Education (ABE) Programs and English as a Second Language (ESL) ProgramsSteps to an Adult Education Program that's right for you!
List of programs by region
To view programs by region, click West, Middle, or East Tennessee Programs tab
To view all programs in one list, skip to table below
1. Do you need to complete your high school education or learn to speak English?
- You've come to the right place! We in Tennessee Adult Education are happy to help you further your education here. We are here to help you get started on your journey.
2. Get connected to a local program.
- If you are interested in Adult Basic Education (ABE) or learning English as a Second Language (ESL), please use the lists on this page to find your county or any county you choose. You will find websites and phone numbers for you to contact the local office of any program in which you are interested.
- Contact the program you're interested in and get information on classes, virtual options, locations, post-secondary information, funding information, HiSET testing, and more.
3. Register and begin your classes.
- At your request, the staff of the program will work with you to set up an appointment to attend orientation and to register.
- At orientation, you will take an assessment to determine at which level you will begin classes. Classes are available during the day, at night, and on the weekend depending on location, as well as offered virtually (online).
- As a student, you will work at your own pace and will take the HiSET test when you are ready.
4. Contact us if you have questions.
If you would like to request more information, please reach out to us at Tennessee Adult Education. We will be glad to provide more information on our Adult Education Programs.
Email adulteducation@tn.gov | Call (615) 741-7054 or 1-800-531-1515 | Request Adult Education Information
English as a Second Language (ESL)
English as a Second Language (ESL) students may receive English language acquisition instruction at their workplace, focusing on the vocabulary necessary to succeed at their job. If you are interested in learning ESL, please find a program near you and contact that program.
Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (ABE) students may simultaneously work toward their high school equivalency and postsecondary training credentials. If you are interested in ABE, please find a program near you and contact that program.
To view programs by region, click West, Middle, or East Tennessee Programs tab
To view all programs in one list, skip to table below
West Tennessee Programs
Skip to West TN program by clicking name
Goodwill Excel Center, Memphis
HopeWorks, Inc.
Northwest TN Adult Education
Southwest TN Adult Education
TCAT Northwest Adult Education
Tipton County Adult Education
To contact a program, call the number or click program name to visit website
Goodwill Excel Center, Memphis
(901) 726-3100
Shelby County
HopeWorks, Inc.
(901) 396-8800
Shelby County
Northwest Tennessee Adult Education
(731) 364-5481
Benton, Carroll, Gibson, Henry, Madison, Obion, Weakley counties
Southwest Tennessee Adult Education
(866) 801-4723
Chester, Decatur, Fayette, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, McNairy counties
TCAT Northwest Adult Education
(731) 635-3368 Ext 3
Crockett, Dyer, Lake, Lauderdale counties
To view programs by region, click West, Middle, or East Tennessee Programs tab
To view all programs in one list, skip to table below
Middle Tennessee Programs
Skip to Middle TN program by clicking name
C.A.P.E.
NICE Adult Education
Putnam County Schools (includes one East TN county)
Southern Middle TN Adult Education
Vol State Adult Education
Workforce Essentials Adult Education
To contact a program, call the number or click program name to visit website
C.A.P.E. (Connecting Adults to Professions and Education
(615) 327-6202
Davidson County
NICE Adult Education
(615) 315-9681
Davidson County
Putnam County Schools
(931) 520-9519
Cumberland (East TN), Dekalb, Fentress, Jackson, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, White counties
Southern Middle Tennessee Adult Education
(866) 801-4723
Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Grundy, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry, Warren, Wayne, Williamson counties
Vol State Adult Education
(615) 230-3621
Clay, Macon, Robertson, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale counties
Workforce Essentials Adult Education
1 (800) 826-3177
Cannon, Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Rutherford, Stewart, Wilson counties
To view programs by region, click West, Middle, or East Tennessee Programs tab
To view all programs in one list, skip to table below
East Tennessee Programs
Skip to East TN program by clicking name
Cleveland State Adult Education
Northeast State Community College Adult Education
TCAT Athens Southeast TN Adult Education (includes two Middle TN counties)
TCAT Jacksboro/Oneida-Huntsville Adult Education
TCAT Knoxville Adult Education
To contact a program, call the number or click program name to visit website
Cleveland State Adult Education
(423) 745-5111
Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Polk counties
Northeast State Community College Adult Education
(844) 637-5697
Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington counties
TCAT Athens Southeast TN Adult Education
(844) 688-7944
Bledsoe, Hamilton, Marion, Rhea, Sequatchie (Middle TN), Van Buren (Middle TN) counties
TCAT Jacksboro/Oneida-Huntsville Adult Education
(423) 317-1060 Ext 7216
Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Morgan, Roane, Scott counties
TCAT Knoxville Adult Education
(865) 766-4327
Anderson, Blount, Cocke, Knox, Loudon, Sevier, Union counties
You may print or download the list by clicking the "Export" button.
| Program Name | Counties Covered | TN Region | Website | Phone Number |
|---|
List compiled in May 2023
Explore Adult Education
Go to Adult Education main page.
Adult Education, as part of the Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA), provides services to adults to build the knowledge and skills necessary for high school equivalency, employment, post-secondary opportunities, and economic self-sustainability.
La Educación para Adultos, como parte de la Ley de Oportunidades e Innovaciones Laborales (WIOA), brinda servicios a adultos para desarrollar el conocimiento y las habilidades necesarias para la equivalencia de escuela secundaria, empleo, oportunidades postsecundarias y autosostenibilidad económica. Para aplicar, llame a su programa local.
Find out how to get enrolled in Adult Education!
For adult students in Tennessee, the pathway toward attaining their High School Equivalency Diploma has never had so many options to meet their needs. Learn more about the different exams that can be taken and applied toward HSE Diploma attainment.
Learn about the HiSET and GED exams and their eligibility requirements and how adult learners can earn a High School Equivalency Diploma in Tennessee.
Learn about programs nearest you for Adult Basic Education (ABE) or English as a Second Language (ESL). Thank you for your interest in furthering your education here in Tennessee.
Request a copy of your diploma or transcripts
This section includes policies, guidance, and other resources for local Adult Education providers. Resources cover program management, data and performance, and workforce development.
No Wrong Door is a podcast that explores how Tennessee is reimagining its workforce through innovative Adult Education initiatives across the state.
Please fill out the form and someone from your area will reach out to discuss your options.
To contact Adult Education, call us at 1-800-531-1515 or send us an email at adulteducation@tn.gov.