The GED tests give students without high school diplomas an opportunity
to obtain an equivalent credential. There are five tests in the areas
of Writing, Social Studies, Science, Literature and the Arts, and
Mathematics. Eastside Literacy offers instruction and assistance in
preparing students to take the tests.
For more information about the GED, visit
the Official GED web site.
Another route to obtaining a high school diploma is the External
Diploma Program. The EDP offers mature adults a chance to demonstrate
learning acquired on the job or at home and to translate that
competence into a regular high school diploma. One of our students
pursuing the EDP reports that he is having interesting experiences he
never otherwise would have, as he demonstrates his real life skills in
some new areas.
EDP programs in our area are offered at Renton Technical College and Seattle Central Community College.
For more information, either e-mail
literacycoordinator@hope-link.org, or call the Bellevue Learning Center at 425.643.1912 or the Sno-Valley Learning Center at 425.333.7714.
"Never too old to learn" or "It's
never too late to learn."–One adult's experience earning a high
school degree and beyond.
School was... hard. It wasn't fun to do homework when I didn't
understand the subjects. My grades were average, and every class was a
struggle just to keep the average.
Left school because... I gave up, I quit, dropped out, wanting the
easier road. As a teenager, the pressures of just being alive, trying
to learn at school and learning to become an adult all at the same time
became overwhelming.
Jobs since dropping out... menial at best. Tried to climb the corporate
ladder at a company for four years, and made it three levels but hit
the glass ceiling and decided to quit the company. Felt like I was
lacking the edge over other people when it came to job searching.
Plenty of blow-off letters, letting me know someone else was more
qualified.
Prompted for GED... It was either take my chances out in the job market
or get a GED and keep the job I have now. After 26 years of being out
of high school, not having a GED finally caught up with me.
Asked for help... through Eastside Literacy. I asked for a tutor to
help me with my scary subjects, and checked out GED material to study
from their library. I studied every day and met with my tutor twice a
week. I stayed motivated, because I didn't want to let my tutor down,
nor myself, and my job depended on this GED.
Tutor's help... was outstanding. She put as much into the learning
effort as I did. She showed me examples in various ways of how to solve
a problem when I drew a complete blank on a subject. She assigned me
homework, brought me extensive study materials, had me go above and
beyond what I thought my capability would allow. She helped my
confidence level rise, which was really important in succeeding.
Future plans... more school, business management or something in the
science field. I scored high in science and I thought it was very
interesting. It held my interest. With all the loans and grants out
there for people who want to succeed, I'd be a fool not to follow
through and go for the higher education. AA Degree would look very good
on a resume.
Feelings... I used to feel guilty about lying on job applications,
saying I had graduated when I had not. Knowing that a person's
educational background can be checked for accuracy by companies doing
the hiring, I know that really having the GED Certificate and knowing
the transcript really exists at the school where I tested is
comforting. Having the GED has opened so many doors for me. I can now
apply for any government or city job, without my GED those were never
an option. I can apply for jobs that do background checks, because I
don't have to lie anymore. I can proudly tell the truth that I do have
a GED.
I'm 42 years old and I'm never too old to learn.
Thank you Eastside Literacy for being there for people like me.
March 4, 2003 |
