GED classes resume after break, open to all
By Donnie A. Lucas
General Education Development (GED) classes have resumed with the start of the spring semester and are being held on Mondays and Tuesdays at the Shackelford County Library.
Instructor Kenzie Fairchild said anyone interested in registering for classes may still do so. Registrants will need to bring an acceptable form of identification such as drivers license and Social Security card. The classes are open to students age 17 or older. Students who are 17 must have parental consent to register.
“I have four students right now,” Fairchild said. “We started last week, but you can come and start now. It isn’t too late.”
The program will continue on Mondays and Tuesdays through the the middle of February, then change to Monday and Thursday evenings for the rest of the semester.
GED classes follow the Albany ISD schedule, so classes will not be conducted the week of March 13-17 for spring break or on any other holiday observed by the school district.
Fairchild said there is no registration fee, but childcare is not provided. Students must commit to regular attendance and accumulate 60 hours of class time. She said students can join the program as late as April and still have time to accumulate the necessary hours.
Abilene Adult Education oversees GED programs in 19 area counties, including Shackelford.
A grant from the Texas Workforce Commission funds the cost of the class.
To obtain a GED, students must pass tests for math, language arts, social studies, and science.
“It’s self-paced, all based on how quickly individuals progress,” Fairchild said. “As soon as students show enough progress, they can take a practice test. If they show that they’re ready, they can take the actual test.”
Each test costs $36.25, but Fairchild uses funds provided by the Albany Chest to cover the cost, as well as the $7 for each practice test.
One recent change is the testing sites now available are Brownwood and Weatherford.
“Tests were available at the Education Service Center, but they have discontinued providing that service,” said Fairchild.
She said that an alternate testing site in Abilene is being sought.
For more information, contact Fairchild at 325-721-5233.
