GUEST COLUMN

Many Kentuckians took advantage of the free GED testing that was offered during April, May and June of this year.  According to Kentucky Adult Education, 10,294 Kentuckians received their GED diplomas representing a 10 percent increase from the previous year.  Not only did more students earn GEDs, the pass rate of test takers also increased from 80 percent to 83 percent.
Grant County Adult Education also saw an increase in the number of GED diplomas awarded during that time. According to Amelia Cloud, Gateway Community and Technical College-Grant County Adult Education Director, there were 82 Grant County students who received their GEDs compared to 53 the previous year.  There were 240 students enrolled at Grant County Adult Education in the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
“The free testing program was a huge success,” stated Reecie Stagnolia, vice president, KYAE.
“Kentucky’s GED attainment numbers were actually lagging in March, so the free testing gave hundreds of Kentuckians the extra incentive they needed to earn their GED.”  
In 11 years, 116,142 Kentuckians have earned a GED according to KYAE, but the numbers show that 15 percent or 414,338 of the working-age populations age 18 to 64 are still lacking a high school credential or GED.  So, the need is still great for GED programs throughout the state.  
The Grant County GED program, located behind Grant County Middle School  in Dry Ridge, is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. New online studies are available.
Call 859-823-1541 for an appointment or for more information go to www.grantged.com.