How eLearn Works

The eLearn program is designed to help prepare you with the skills nnecessary to successfully pass Louisiana's high school equivalency exam (the "HiSET", formerly known as the GED). The course is designed to be self-paced, meaning you can complete your studies on your own schedule. The course is also designed to be customized and adaptive, meaning that all content should be on your level and always meeting your academic needs.

If you have a question about the class that should be posted here for all students to view, email it now to Joey using this link!

Frequently Asked Questions

What am I required to do to be successful in the course?

The only requirement to stay in good standing and remain in the program is that you complete at least 60 hours of studying online each session (which lasts for approximately 8 weeks - click here to view our academic calendar).

However, to gain full value from the course, it's important that you split this up. Therefore, I encourage you to plan to complete about 8 hours per week. So, please take the time to look at your weekly schedule (i.e. when do you have to work? when do you have family obligations?), and budget specific time to study online at Khan Academy, with Achieve 3000, and through the other resources we will use this session.

About the GAIN Test

What is the GAIN test?

The GAIN Test is the pre-test that everyone took during orientation. The purpose of the test is to determine your academic level and to figure out when you are ready to take the HiSET exam.

When can I retake the GAIN test?

After you reach 60 hours, you can take the GAIN test again. It's useful to test again because you can measure your progress and once again see how close you might be for the official HiSET exam. And, testing is always useful because we get data on what skills you've mastered and what else you need to improve!

How are hours calculated?

The hours that are shown on the Hours Tracker page are based on the amount of time you spend on the online coursework. For example, if you spend 2 hours on Khan Academy (watching videos and completing activities), that will equal 2 hours on the attendance spreadsheet. Each reading/writing activity on Blendspace will take a few hours, and you will receive credit for those once you submit them.

How do I know when I'm ready to take the HiSET?

During the orientation session you will take an exam called the GAIN. The purpose of this diagnostic is to determine what academic level you are at in English and Math. You will take a similar exam at the end of the session to measure your progress.

As you will see on your score report, you will be assigned an academic level based on your testing performance. Students that score into Levels 5-6 will be eligible to take a free HiSET Practice Test. Students that pass the Practice Test will be officially enrolled in the HiSET exam.

Can I take the HiSET even if my scores on the GAIN aren't high enough?

Yes! Any student can register for and take the HiSET at any point. As long as you can pay the $90 first-time-tester fee, you can register online at hiset.ets.org for an upcoming test.

Since there is a fee associated with the test, I encourage all students to really make sure that they are ready for the exam before going and spending money on it. Another thing to remember is that the GAIN is a predictive exam, menaing it can predict how well you will do on other exams like the HiSET. So, if you aren't scoring in the 4-6 range on the HiSET, it might be difficult for you to take and pass the HiSET.

You can view a sample score report by clicking here. This student has scored a "3" on English and "2" on Math.

However, with that said, you are certainly free to register and take the exam at any point. Let me know if you are interested in doing so and I can help coach you through the registration process.

Will I receive a grade or college credits for this course?

The eLearn Program is designed to help students prepare to earn a high school equivalency and to enter various college and career pathways; the course is not a credit-based course and does not carry a "grade". However, various types of feedback will be offered throughout the course, including but not limited to:

• GAIN Math and English results

• Khan Academy assessments and practice exercises

• Written assignments and quizzes through online courses

• Self-evaluation

• Peer reviews

• Instructor notes and feedback

Students should remain focused on building the academic skills necessary to successfully earn a high school equivalency. Therefore, assessments are never pass/fail but offered to provide the data necessary to make strategic decisions about how to spend time studying.

What is the post-test and why do I take it?

A student becomes eligible to post test after 60 hours of instruction and studying. Post-testing is helpful in measuring progress from the session and determining HiSET readiness. And, testing always provides valuable data on your academic skill levels so you can make strategic decisions as a student on how to spend your time while studying.

Can I use a tablet or mobile device?

You can, but you'll find the most assignments in Khan Academy and in Google Drive work best if you use a laptop or desktop.

Which browser should I use to complete work?

All eLearn coursework should be completed in Google Chrome (not Internet Explore, Firefox, or Safari). Khan Academy and Google Drive are optimized to work in Google Chrome.