The Certificates in General Education for Adults (CGEA) provide a range of educational opportunities for Australian adults who have not completed secondary education to improve their literacy, numeracy, and general education skills. The CGEA was first accredited in 1992 and is currently accredited for January 2002-December 2006. The CGEA is premised on the understanding that effective literacy and numeracy skills development occurs within the following social contexts: family and social life; workplace and institutional settings; education and training contexts; and community and civic life. The CGEA reflects current thinking on adult learning and aims to provide adult learners with the following things: (1) an accredited general education course; (2) skill development in reading, writing, and numeracy; (3) skill development in various areas to meet personal needs and facilitate participation in the community, workplace, and/or further education and training; and (4) pathways to further education and training. There are no formal entry requirements for learners wishing to undertake the CGEA. The CGEA is a framework curriculum, consisting of core and elective modules, from which four certificates can be offered. Teachers of the CGEA should meet the competency requirements set by the Australian Qualifications Training Framework. Teaching practices and assessment methods should take the diversity of CGEA learners into account. (MN)