Adult Basic Education

Welcome to Iowa Western Community College’s (IWCC) Adult Basic Education (ABE) program and the first step in your educational journey. Students are placed in the ABE program based on their Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) entrance exam pre-test scores in reading and math.

ABE offers students the opportunity to develop basic skills and to work toward their High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) through HiSET instruction, and/or to acquire English language skills that enable them to increase independence, improve employability, and/or prepare for continuing education.

Once students complete the ABE requirements, they may continue in the HiSET program to work toward their HSED. To enroll, review our orientation schedule (link to orientation page), select the orientation date that works best for you, and call us at 712-325-3266 to sign-up. We look forward to helping you to reach your goals.

Age Waiver For High School Equivalency Diploma

HSED Schedules

Iowa Western- Kinney Hall

Daytime Class Dates

July 14 – August 28, 2025
September 8 – October 23, 2025
November 3 – December 18, 2025
January 12 – February 26, 2026
March 9 – April 24, 2026
May 4 – June 18, 2026

Daytime Orientation Dates

July 8 – 11, 2025
September 2 – 5, 2025
October 27 – 31, 2025
January 5 – 9, 2026
March 2 – 6, 2026
April 27 – May 1, 2026

Atlantic Center

Class Dates:

July 22 – September 25, 2025
October 7 – December 11, 2025
January 20 – March 26, 2026
April 7 – June 11, 2026

Orientation Dates:

July 15 and 17, 2025
September 30 and October 2, 2025
January 13 and 15, 2026
March 31 – April 2, 2026

705 Walnut Street, Atlantic Iowa, 5002
712-243-5527 or kbarnes@iwcc.edu

Clarinda Center

Class Dates:

July 21 – September 24, 2025
October 6 – December 10, 2025
January 21 – March 25, 2026
April 6 – June 10, 2026

Orientation Dates:

July 14 and 16. 2025
September 29 – October 1, 2025
January 12 and 14, 2026
March 30 – April 1, 2026

923 E Washington Street, Clarinda IA 51632
712-542-5117 or mnorton@iwcc.edu

Harlan Center

Class Dates:

July 22 – September 25, 2025
October 7 – December 11, 2025
January 20 – March 26, 2026
April 7 – June 11, 2026

Orientation Dates:

July 15 and 17, 2025
September 30 and Ocotber 2, 2025
Janaury 13 and 15, 2026
March 31 – April 2, 2026

1901 Hawkeye Ave, Suite 101. Harlan IA 51537
712-755-3568 or prust@iwcc.edu

Shenandoah Center

Class Dates:

July 21 – September 24, 2025
October 6 – December 10, 2025
January 21 – March 25, 2026
April 6 – June 11, 2026

Orientation Dates:

July 14 and 16, 2025
September 29 – October 1, 2025
January 12 and 14, 2026
March 30 – April 1, 2026

1001 W Sheridan Ave, Shenandoah, IA 51601
712-246-1499 or jpalmerin@iwcc.edu

Missouri Valley Center

Class Dates:

July 22 – September 25, 2025
October 7 – December 11, 2025
January 20 – March 26, 2026
April 7 – June 11, 2026

Orientation Dates:

July 15 and 17, 2025
September 30 and October 2, 2025
January 13 and 15, 2026
March 31 – April 2, 2026

115 South Harrison St, Missouri Valley, IA 51555
712-755-3568 or prust@iwcc.edu

Harlan/Avoca ESL

Class Dates:

July 22 – September 25, 2025
October 7 – December 11, 2025
January 20 – March 26, 2026
April 7 – June 11, 2026

Orientation Dates:

July 16, 2025
October 1, 2025
January 14, 2026
April 1, 2026

1901 Hawkeye Ave, Suite 101. Harlan IA 51537
712-755-3568 or prust@iwcc.edu

FAQ

How do I know if I am eligible for the ABE or HSED program?

Eligible participants must meet the following requirements:

· Minimum 16 years + 9 months of age

· Not currently enrolled in a public or private high school

· State-Issued photo ID

· Students age 18 or under must provide a drop slip from their last school district

· Students age 17 or under must provide a permission to attend form

How do I know if I need to enroll in Adult Basic Education (ABE)?

ABE is designed for those whose basic skill levels are below 9th grade as assessed by the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) pre-test, which is taken during orientation. ABE classes are a part of the HSED program.

ABE is also designed for English Language Learners (ELL) who seek to learn English and/or to develop more effective English language communication skills.

How do I know at what level I function?

ABE has four functioning levels: Beginning Literacy, Beginning Basic, Intermediate Low, and Intermediate High. Functioning levels are identified by the CASAS test, and your levels in math and reading will determine your class placement.

What kind of classes will I take?

Direct instruction is recommended, so instructors can work with students at their levels and abilities in order to improve students’ academic, educational, and employability skills and opportunities.

ABE classes help students develop reading, writing, math, science, and social studies skills through explicit, contextualized instruction in order to transition into our HSED program and to prepare them for future education and career pathways.

Where are ABE classes offered?

ELL classes are offered day and evening at IWCC in Council Bluffs. (link to ELL).

ABE classes follow the same class schedule as the HSED program (Link to HSED Schedules) and are located at IWCC in Council Bluffs, Atlantic, Clarinda, Harlan, and Shenandoah. (Link to HSED Locations).

When can I start HSED classes?

All of the ABE classes that you take prepare you for HiSET classes and the HSED final exams. ABE classes help to build a skill foundation necessary to be successful in HiSET classes.

After attending classes for 40 hours, you will take a CASAS post-test, and your score determines your preparedness to progress. A qualifying score means that you made a Measurable Skill Gain (MSG) and can transition into HSED.