INTRO

The Vermont Adult Diploma Program (VADP) is a project oriented path to a high school diploma. It is designed for individuals age 21 or older (age 18 – 20 with special waiver). Motivated and independent students research and successfully complete 5 projects under supervision of the regional ADP assessor. The program is free and available to students who are not enrolled in high school.

THE FIVE PROJECTS

Project 1: Personal Profile

This initial project serves as an introduction to the Vermont Adult Diploma Program. It will guide you as you plan your course of study for the remainder of the program. You will start this project by taking stock of where you stand now. You will evaluate your strengths and weaknesses as a student, explore your time management skills, discover your learning styles and take note of your experience and skills. You will follow up this inventory of your skills, strengths and weaknesses with a focus on your goals and the development of your education plan. In a last step, you will reflect in writing on what you learned during the course of this project.

Project 2: Post-secondary Transition and Employment Skills

You can adjust this second project to your needs by chosing the most fitting one from among four choices. Students looking for a job may choose “Getting a Job” as their second project and focus on all those skills necessary for a successful job hunt. Those with their eyes set on college will likely pick “Bridges to Higher Education” and learn what it takes to get into college. If you have been holding a job for a while, “All in a Day’s Work” would be a good choice since this project allows you to inventory and demonstrate the skill and knowledge sets you have developed so far. For those of you who have the desire to add a truly personal touch to your studies, the “Capstone Project” might be the best choice. This project allows you to plan a learning experience and then execute that plan with the result of mastering a new skill or subject.

Project 3: Represent Yourself

This project provides you with the opportunity to develop an informed position on an issue in the current political debate and to engage an elected government official on this subject. You will research this subject of your choice using a variety of sources and then develop an informed opinion on it. Next, you will compare your viewpoint with that of your elected government official and write a persuasive letter or petition on the issue.

Project 4: Personal Finance, Advertisement and Consumer Science

For your fourth project, you have a choice between three projects that are all related to your role as a consumer. “Buyer Beware!” is your choice if you are interested in exploring the techniques used in advertising to influence what we buy, what we think, how we feel and what we value. You will learn to distinguish fact from fantasy and how to identify sources you can trust. “Understanding Advertising” is quite similar to the previous option; it focuses more on how advertisement is created and how it shapes our culture. “Money Matters” focuses on your values about money, your financial decisions and how you mange and spend money. As part of this project, you will also meet the Miller family and explore their finances.

Project 5: Science

Your choice is between “Here’s to Health” and “Planet Life.” The first option is of interest to you if you are curious about health in general and a specific health topic. It gives you the chance to explore a health issue that has touched your life; you will also examine your own health habits. The second option is oriented towards environmental science topics such as weather, the ecosystems, biodiversity, human population growth, climate change or natural disasters. You will research a related topic of your choice and write a paper that explains your findings.

QUALIFYING FOR THE ADULT DIPLOMA PROGRAM

To sign up for the program, you must meet certain criteria. You should ideally be 21 years or older although we can get a waiver if you are at least 18. Since the ADP is a project oriented program, you have to be able and willing to work independently and diligently. Typically, you will meet with your ADP assessor once or twice a week to review your progress, and your assessor will support your efforts in general; but you must do the work required to complete each project. Lastly, you must show on standardized assessments that your skill level is sufficient to allow you to accomplish the work required. If the assessments show that your skills in either reading, math or writing need to improve, WE WILL HELP YOU TO DEVELOP THOSE SKILLS UNTIL YOU QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much time does it take?
You and your assessor will set up a meeting schedule – usually once or twice a week – and you may have several hours of VADP work to complete on your own between appointments. You can ask for day or evening appointments.

How long does it take to finish?
How long it takes you will depend on your skills and the amount of time you can devote to your VADP work. You are expected to keep your appointments and do your work to the best of your ability.

How is the VADP different from a GED?
People who take the national GED tests and pass receive a GED certificate. Those who complete the Vermont Adult Diploma Program earn a high school diploma from the school district in which they reside. VADP is a project-based assessment of skills, while the GED is a standardized test battery.

What if I have trouble with math? (Writing? Computers?)
After you complete assessments in reading, writing, and math and the Learner Self-Assessment, your teacher or assessor will talk with you about your strengths and learning needs. If you have difficulty with one or more skills, you can brush up at an adult learning center and continue in the VADP when you are ready.

Do colleges accept a VADP-based diploma?
Most Vermont colleges recognize the Vermont Adult Diploma Program. An out-of-state college admissions representative may ask for more information about the program and its requirements. Any college may ask you to take an admission test.

Can I go to graduation?
After you successfully complete the VADP, you can contact your high school about attending graduation, or you can participate in an adult graduation celebration. You are not required to attend a graduation ceremony.