Norwich Regional Adult Education: Opportunities for Lifelong Learning

Norwich Regional Adult Education is dedicated to serving the residents of Norwich and its twelve cooperating school districts by providing accessible and comprehensive educational programs. The program aims to promote learning as a lifelong process and equip adult learners with the tools they need to thrive in today's world. Serving residents from Bozrah, East Lyme, Franklin, Groton, Ledyard, Lisbon, North Stonington, Norwich, Preston, Sprague, Stonington and Voluntown. Norwich Regional Adult Education is sponsored by the Norwich Board of Education, the Boards of Education of the thirteen other cooperating towns, and the State Department of Education.

Free Programs for Qualified Individuals

Norwich Regional Adult Education offers a range of free programs to qualified individuals, including:

Adult High School Credit Diploma (HSCDP): A program designed for adults looking to earn their high school diploma.
National External Diploma Program (NEDP): A flexible, self-paced high school diploma program tailored for mature adults with significant life and work experience.
Adult Basic Education (ABE): A program focused on improving fundamental skills in reading, writing, and math.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL): Classes designed to help non-native English speakers develop their English language skills.
Citizenship Preparation (CP): Classes to assist eligible immigrants in preparing for the civics test and naturalization process.

To qualify for these free programs, individuals must be 17 years of age or older, no longer enrolled in school, and either lack a high school diploma or have limited basic and English language skills.

High School Completion Programs

Adult High School Credit Diploma (HSCDP)

The Adult High School Credit Diploma Program (HSCDP) offers adults the opportunity to earn their high school diploma by completing required coursework and earning credits.

National External Diploma Program (NEDP)

The National External Diploma Program (NEDP) is a high school diploma program designed for mature adults who have acquired academic skills through life and work experiences. This program allows adults to work with professional educators who can help them solve problems. Upon completion of the program, students will receive a high school diploma issued by the Norwich Board of Education. The National External Diploma Program is currently offered at the Adult Education Center, 191 Hickory Street, Norwich, CT, but is available to students throughout the Cooperative.

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Online Courses

Norwich Regional Adult Education provides online courses through the CT AVHS (Adult Virtual High School), allowing students to earn credits toward their high school diploma. Students interested in this option can discuss it with a counselor, who can refer them to a staff member for assistance. It's important to note that the online component is not a stand-alone program; students must also be enrolled in on-site classes to earn online credits.

Documented Life/Work Credits

Students may be eligible to receive credit for documented life and/or work experiences. Documentation requirements are strict, and credits are awarded only when all criteria are met. Counselors can assist students with the appropriate forms for documentation. The three types of documented credits are:

Military Category: A maximum of 2 elective credits can be earned. One credit can be earned for successful basic training, and one credit can be earned for successful specialized training. The discharge must be "other than dishonorable," and no partial credit is awarded.
Community or Volunteer Service: A maximum of 1 elective credit can be earned. One credit can be given for participation in community services or volunteer activity with the same agency or institution. One credit can be earned for 100 hours of service, and one-half credit can be earned for 50 hours of service. Counselors will contact the appropriate agency for verification.
Occupational Category: A maximum of 2 elective credits can be earned. One credit can be given for work experience, occupational license, apprenticeship training, or formalized job training. Counselors will contact employers or the appropriate agency for verification.

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a) Work Experience: One credit can be earned for successful work experience that is full-time with the same employer for one year or half-time with the same employer for two years. No partial credit may be awarded.b) Occupational License: One credit can be earned for a current occupational license earned by the student. The license must have an official signature and seal. No partial credit can be awarded.c) Apprenticeship Training: One credit can be earned for successful completion of a formal apprenticeship training program based on an employer-employee relationship that leads to proficiency in "journeyman status." No partial credit may be awarded.d) Formalized Job Training: One credit can be earned for successful formalized job training conducted by a recognized school, agency, employer, or trade union and which is certifiable. No partial credit can be awarded.

Programs for English Language Learners

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

ESOL classes are available at various times, including mornings, afternoons, and evenings. Levels range from pre-literacy to advanced. Class content covers reading, writing, speaking, and listening in the context of employment, communication, technology, civics, American culture, community, and family. Students must register and be pre-tested and post-tested each semester. Regular attendance is required.

Citizenship Preparation (CP)

Citizenship preparation classes are offered in the afternoons and evenings. The class content includes American history and government, practice with the 100 naturalization questions, civic participation, coaching for the USCIS interview, and review of the N-400 application. Students must register and be pre-tested to determine their instructional level.

Additional Programs

GED Preparation Program

The GED (General Educational Development) Preparation program prepares students to pass the four-part GED exam, which is completed on the computer. Norwich Adult Education is an official test site located at Stonington High School, 176 South Broad Street, Pawcatuck. Call 860-823-4299 for more details.

Adult Basic Education (ABE)

Adult Basic Education helps adults improve their reading, writing, and math skills. Adults who wish to improve basic and employment skills and/or prepare to enter a GED or diploma program are provided with materials to help them study. Instruction is individualized, and adults may enroll at any time during the semester. A Placement Survey is given to each new student to determine their instructional level.

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Apprenticeship Program

Norwich Technical High School Apprenticeship Program is a formal training program fully approved by the State of Connecticut Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship Training. Our program provides apprentices with a comprehensive knowledge of their selected career. CTECS curriculum is fully approved by the State of Connecticut.

Student Conduct and Policies

Norwich Regional Adult Education emphasizes a respectful and responsible learning environment. The student conduct policy is guided by respect for self, others, and school facilities. Unacceptable conduct includes fighting, theft, obscene language, disruptive behavior, inappropriate clothing, threats, possession of weapons, drugs, or alcohol, destruction of property, false alarms, unauthorized entrance, and harassment.

Dress Code

Students are expected to adhere to the Norwich Public Schools' Dress Code, which prohibits clothing that does not cover the midriff, short shorts, pants worn too low, and inappropriate tops. Shoes must be worn.

Cell Phones

Cell phone use is not permitted during class time. Phones must be turned off during classes and may only be used before or after class or during break times.

Food and Smoking

No food is allowed in classrooms or consumed during class. State law prohibits smoking in school buildings and on school grounds.

Nondiscrimination Policy

The Norwich Regional Adult Education Cooperative does not discriminate based on race, color, religious creed, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, mental retardation, past/present history of mental disorder, learning disability, or physical disability.

Attendance Policy

Consistent attendance is the responsibility of each student. Both morning and afternoon students are expected to attend at least 9 hours each week, arrive on time and stay for the entire class. Evening students are expected to attend at least 3 hours each week, arrive on time and stay for the entire class. If a student arrives more than 15 minutes late, he or she is not allowed to enter the class. A student may enter a class with an Admit Slip a maximum of 3 times in the semester. After having accumulated 3 late arrivals in a course during the semester, the student is no longer allowed to enter the classroom late. According to the Norwich Adult Education Attendance Policy, a student may be absent from a course a maximum number of five times (daytime) or three times (evening) over the entire semester. If a student knows that he/she will be absent, it is important to notify teachers ahead. If it is a last minute situation, call the Adult Education Office and leave a message for the Attendance Coordinator who will notify teachers.

Waiver of Attendance Policy

Students who have not met the Norwich Adult Education attendance requirement may submit a waiver to the Norwich Adult Education Waiver Committee. The request must be in writing and based on extremely extenuating circumstances in order to be considered for full credit.

Grievance Policy

All students participating in Norwich Regional Adult Education programs are provided with a grievance procedure to address any concerns about unfair treatment or inequitable enforcement of rules.

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