VERIZON PROVIDES FUNDS FOR GED TEST

(02/29/2004)
By Shelly Allen

As anyone who's taken the GED (General Equivalency Diploma)test can tell you, it's not only difficult (statistically, 40% of graduating high school seniors couldn't pass it), but the fifty-dollar testing fee is often more than a GED candidate can afford.

Thanks to Verizon, that problem has been solved. In January, John Ruddick, Executive Director of Public Affairs for Verizon, presented the West Virginia Adult Education Association with $50,000 to provide vouchers for those wishing to take the GED exam.

To qualify for this voucher, one must register for and attend at least 12 hours of training with the local Adult Education class, as well as a 3-hour GED Registration/Orientation. In addition, one must take the OPT (Official Practice Test) provided by the Adult Education class and score at least 450 on each individual test, with a total score of at least 2,400.

The Calhoun County Adult Education class meets Monday, 2-7 p.m.; Tuesday, 2-7; and Wednesday, 2-6 at the Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center. Classes are free and open to anyone who is interested in obtaining a GED or brushing up on basic skills such as reading, writing, and math. If you are interested, please contact Shelly Allen at the Center, 354-6151.

GED tests are administered at Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center once per month, except for the summer months, when the Center is closed. May will be the last month that full tests are available until next October, so anyone interested in testing should plan on March 11 and 12, April 15 and 16, or May 20 and 21.

Testing is a two-day process, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at approximately 2:30 p.m. Those wishing to take the test must register at least one week in advance of the testing date. Those wishing to qualify for a voucher must register with the Adult Education class at least one month prior to the testing date. For more information regarding testing, contact David White at the Center, 354-6151.