                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

DEFINITIONS (§ 22.1-223)

As used in this article:

&#8220;Adult basic education&#8221; means education for individuals over the age
of compulsory school attendance specified in § 22.1-254 that enables them to
express themselves orally and in writing, read, access information and
resources, make decisions, act independently and interact with others, and
continue lifelong learning to cope with and compete successfully in a global
economy.

&#8220;Adult education program&#8221; means an instructional program below the
college credit level provided by public schools for individuals who are not
enrolled in the regular public school program, including adult basic education,
credit programs, cultural adult education, external diploma programs, general
adult education, and high school equivalency programs.

&#8220;Credit program&#8221; means a program of academic courses that are
available to individuals over the age of compulsory school attendance specified
in § 22.1-254 to enable them to complete the regular requirements for a high
school diploma.

&#8220;Cultural adult education&#8221; means English for speakers of other
languages (ESOL), the preparation of foreign-born adults for participation in
American life or for becoming American citizens, and other educational services
for foreign-born individuals over the age of compulsory school attendance
specified in § 22.1-254.

&#8220;External diploma program&#8221; means a program in which individuals over
the age of compulsory school attendance specified in § 22.1-254 who did not
complete high school may earn a high school diploma by demonstrating with 100
percent mastery the 65 competencies established and validated by the American
Council on Education.

&#8220;General adult education&#8221; means academic, cultural, and avocational
instruction for individuals over the age of compulsory school attendance
specified in § 22.1-254 that may be obtained through programs other than credit
programs, high school equivalency programs, or external diploma programs.

&#8220;High school equivalency program&#8221; means a program of preparation and
instruction to take a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board
of Education for individuals over the age of compulsory school attendance
specified in § 22.1-254 who did not complete high school, individuals who have
been granted permission by the superintendent of the school division in which
they are or were last enrolled to take a high school equivalency examination
approved by the Board of Education, individuals who are at least 16 years of
age, and individuals who have been ordered by a court to participate in the
program.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 22-360; 1978, c. 522; 1980, c. 559; 1999, c. 564; 2006,
c. 335; 2014, c. 84; 2018, c. 717.