For more than 15 years, our Adult Education program has provided services that help people gain skills needed to be competitive in the workforce. In 2014, Wilkinson Center joined the Dallas Adult Education and Literacy Consortium. With Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas funding, Wilkinson Center provides classes at no cost to students. The adult education programs consist of high school equivalency preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL) and ESL for Professionals. For individuals between 17 – 24 years old, there are additional services such as career planning, assistance with applying for financial aid, financial coaching, and transportation assistance.
All adult education classes include financial literacy and workforce readiness. Students can opt-in to individual career and financial coaching sessions to create a plan for self-sufficiency. Enrolled and active students can access the food pantry; as well as receive referrals to community resources and wrap around services to eliminate a barrier to employment.
There are no income guidelines for adult education classes, but individuals must meet the following qualifications:
- At least 17 years or older (17-year-olds must have an official withdrawal from high school)
- Live in Dallas County
and meet one of the criteria below:
- Limited English skills as determined by an assessment test
- Have not earned a high school diploma or GED
Classes are available in-person and virtually.
Current program offerings:
- High School Equivalency. Classes are in English and Spanish and will prepare students to take the official tests to earn a Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency. All enrolled students have access to free virtual math tutoring seven days per week. With limited distance learning licenses, GED Academy allows students to continue learning at home. Students that are ready to take their official GED® exam are provided test vouchers.
- English as a Second Language. Classes start at the beginning level and progress to the high intermediate. Classes include reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Enrolled students can request access to Burlington English, a distance learning program for at-home learning.
- English as a Second Language for Professionals. Classes are for students who have a degree or credential in their native country and need to improve their English Language skills to return to their previous profession. Classes focus on English for the workplace, and students have access to career courses in Burlington English.
- Integrated El Civics. Classes combine English as a Second Language, workforce readiness, and job training. The job training tracks include Patient Care Technician, Teacher Assistant, Microsoft Office Specialist, and Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Upon completion, students will take a national certification exam.
- Individual Education and Training (IET) – Classes combine basic education to improve reading and math skills, workforce readiness, and job training. The job training track is Microsoft Office Specialist.
Class locations:
- Dallas College Pleasant Grove Center, 802 S. Buckner Blvd, Dallas, 75217
- Wilkinson Center Employment and Education Center, 3302 N. Buckner Blvd, Ste. 111, Dallas, 75228
- Dallas College West Dallas Center, 3330 N. Hampton Road, Dallas, TX 75212
- Hampton Illinois Branch Library, 2951 S Hampton Rd, Dallas, TX 75224
- Pleasant Grove Branch Library, 7310 Lake June Rd, Dallas, TX 75217
- Prairie Creek Branch Library, 9609 Lake June Rd, Dallas, TX 75217
- Horn High School, 3300 E Cartwright Rd, Mesquite, TX 75181
- North Mesquite High School, 18201 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Mesquite, TX 75150
- West Mesquite High School, 2500 Memorial Blvd, Mesquite, TX 75149
- Southwest Workforce Center, 7330 S Westmoreland Rd #200, Dallas, TX 75237
To begin, students must register for an orientation by clicking on the REGISTER TODAY button below. Orientations are offered virtually and in-person, daytime and evenings.
If you have questions about our Adult Education programs, please call 972-284-0392.
As we grow our program and classes, we are always looking for people who want to share their time and talents to help our students. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit the Volunteer page to complete the application.