Bueno-HEP/HSE – GED

High School Equivalency (HSE)

Formerly known as General Education Development – GED, the High School Equivalency (HSE) Certificate is an alternative to earning a High School Diploma and is granted by the Department of Education for the State of Colorado upon successful completion of one of the three testing programs, GED, TASC or HiSET. The HSE program is open to persons 17 and older who are no longer attending High School.

What is BUENO-HEP?

The University of Colorado at Boulder, School of Education (BUENO programs) and Otero College (Continuing Education) in La Junta are in collaboration of a federally funded grant program known as HEP (high school equivalency program). In 2019, the School of Education and the BUENO Center for Multicultural Education was granted five years of funding to develop and implement the BUENO High School Equivalency Program (BUENO-HEP) for migrant and seasonal farm workers who work and reside in the Arkansas Valley, the San Luis Valley or in the Platte River Valley.

What does BUENO-HEP provide?

Instruction & Tutoring
Supplies for class
Career Counseling
Placement into: higher education, employment, military
GED Pre-Testing & GED (for those who qualify)

About the Program

Earning a High School Equivalency Certificate is an alternative to earning a High School Diploma and is granted by the Department of Education for the State of Colorado upon successful completion of the GED/HSE program. The HSE program is open to persons 17 and older who are no longer enrolled in High School. The BUENO-HEP/HSE program offers instruction in the subject and skill areas necessary to help students with job-entry requirements as well as college-prep studies.

Actual completion times may vary with the individual’s educational abilities. In addition, simulated tests are administered to determine readiness for appropriate college-level classes and for the official HSE tests. The student and instructor will periodically review the student’s progress and reevaluate the student’s plan for completion of the HSE program. For additional information, interested students should contact the BUENO-HEP office, 719-384-6848.

Changes in 2014

As of January 2014, the High School Equivalency tests measure skills required by core curriculum standards for high schools and requested by colleges and employers. After passing the HSE tests and upon request, a diploma or certificate is issued by the state through diplomasender.com. When requesting the certificate, be sure to also request a copy of a transcript which is necessary for application to college, to begin training on most jobs or obtaining a better job.

Testing Information

The tests are available in both English and Spanish.
There’s no limit to how many times you can test in a year.
Delivered only on computer (not online), not available on paper.