Need Your GED? Read This!

There are some major changes coming to the GED exam January 1, 2014.  We thought it would be worth to share this article with you! As always, if you have any questions just give us a call!


CHANGES COMING FOR GED

Carolyn Thompson

The Associated Press

         BUFFALO, N.Y. — Adults who have begun working toward their GED are being urged to finish up this year, before the test for a high school equivalency diploma changes and they have to start all over.

GED Testing Service will introduce a new version of the test, given nationwide, on Jan. 1.

Developers say the first major changes since 2002 will align the test with the new Common Core curricula adopted by most states to increase college and career readiness. It also will shift test-taking from pencil and paper to computer.

 Joyce Monroe, 24, is feeling the pressure as she puts in dozens of hours in class every week at the Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center. Two practice tests showed she's ready for writing and science but needs slightly more work in math, along with social studies and language arts.

 "I'm really trying to get in before it changes. I'm so close," said Monroe, who said she left high school before graduating for family reasons and is trying to set an example for her 5-year-old daughter. "I don't want to start all over. That would make me want to drop GED like I did high school."

Those who administer the test have begun to alert the million or so adults who have passed some but not all of the five parts of the current test to complete the missing sections by Dec. 31. If not, their scores will expire and they'll have to begin again under the new program Jan. 1.

 "If they are in the pipeline, they need to get it done," said Dr. Danis Gehl, education director at the University at Buffalo's Educational Opportunity Center.

About 700,000 people take the GED exam yearly in the United States, said Armando Diaz, spokesman for Washington-based GED Testing Service, the trademarked test's creator.

 

 

Interested in getting your GED here at UFRC?

Day Classes are Monday through Thursday, 8:30am—12:30pm

Intakes for Day Classes are the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month at 8:30am (sharp)

Evening Classes are Monday and Thursday, 5:00pm—8:00pm

Intakes for Evening Classes are every Thursday at 5:00pm

 

Cost for classes (either time) is $25.00 for the school year.

 

An Old Friend

I'm old. Some people might say I am past my prime,  but I endure, I am familiar, and I am an old friend.

You might see me every day and not even notice me. But I am here. Enduring. Thriving.

Thriving? How could something old thrive? Because of people. People walk through my doors everyday looking for something. They could be looking for a place to connect with others or to learn something new. Old buildings thrive when people notice them.

My story began over 70 years ago, and many faces graced my halls. (Maybe yours did too?)  Seven years ago, I thought my story was going to end- I would be locked up/boarded up to one day be torn down and replaced with something new. Little did I know that seven years ago I would be changed into something new.

Sure, I missed the sounds of kids running through the halls. Sometimes I even think fondly of those who engraved their names into my wooden walls. But I would not change a thing.

I see people every day looking for a change. Looking for someone to care enough about them. I see faces of children, mothers and fathers, and those I remember from many years ago. They are all coming to see me.

I am thriving because of the things that are going on within my walls; Classes, counseling, ministering, teaching, music (I especially love the music), games, and more.
 
I am thriving because families are thriving. Thanks to the love of those around me- near and far.

I might be old, but I have found meaning and purpose.

I am the Upstate Family Resource Center. Come visit me.