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Grant-funded local GED classes continue

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Albany News

By Sam Waller

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 only have one student right now,” Fairchild said this week.

The program will continue on Mondays and Tuesdays through the end of the school year. GED classes follow the Albany ISD schedule, so classes will not be conducted the week of March 14-18 for spring break.

Fairchild, who also teaches at Nancy Smith Elementary School, said nights may change during the course of the year depending on her schedule, and that classes will not be conducted on any school holidays.

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. Fairchild 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 they progress,” Fairchild said. “As soon as a student shows 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 anticipates that the Albany Chest will cover costs again this year.

For more information, contact Fairchild at 325-721-5233.