INA, Ill. (July 14, 2014) - Big changes are in the midst for Rend Lake College’s Adult Education and Literacy program to better prepare students for the new GED® 2014 test. The new curriculum will be taught through High School Equivalency (HSE) classes, formerly known as GED classes.
HSE classes are eight weeks long and help students improve in language arts, math, science, social studies, computer skills, and problem-solving. Students entering into HSE classes will be pre-tested and placed in one of three smaller sections: HSE Plus, HSE Test Prep, or HSE Success.
Christina Hutcheson, RLC Adult Education and Literacy Director, said the new HSE classes are divided into the three sections to benefit the individual student and his or her learning needs.
“Our curriculum is now aligned with Illinois Common Core and with College and Career Readiness Standards,†said Hutcheson. “We had to make adjustments in the curriculum to benefit the students when changes were made to the GED test. After our students pass the GED test, our coordinators work closely with them on transitioning to college or job training.â€
The first class, HSE Plus, is a new option designed for Rend Lake College-bound students testing at a higher grade level. Students attending this course will also be enrolled in the First-Year Experience orientation class to improve academic, personal, social, and career skills. Students may also qualify for assistance with transportation and tuition for the FYE orientation course.
“First-Year Experience is a great way to familiarize the new students on campus with all the different student services, activities, clubs, and programs available to them,†said Hutcheson.
Students placed into HSE Test Prep will prepare to take and pass all four parts of the GED test with a strong focus on computer and technology instruction. They will also have unrestricted access to online learning sites while enrolled. RLC Adult Education and Literacy coordinators will work closely with the students on transitioning to college or post-secondary job training after passing the GED test.
Finally, the HSE Success section is designed to help students build on reading and learning practices with additional support in math and problem-solving. The course is a way to improve on basic skills needed for success in the workplace, in the community, and for continued education.
Among the biggest changes to the 2014 GED test are options to take and pay for one test at a time, a new website to serve as a one-stop resource and registration portal for students, immediate notification of test results, and the option to choose a convenient test site.
Students can begin pre-registering this month for RLC HSE classes that start Sept. 2. Classes will be held 9 a.m. - noon and 6 - 9 p.m. four days a week in Benton, Christopher, Ina, McLeansboro, Mt. Vernon, and Pinckneyville. Transportation will be provided to class sites, dependent on the number of enrollees.
RLC’s HSE program is funded by the federal and state governments, making it free for students age 16 and up who are not in school and do not have a high school diploma. The Adult Education and Literacy Program also offers tuition waivers for students who meet specific criteria and who want to continue their education at RLC for up to 48 credit hours.
To learn more about the Adult Education and Family Literacy program, call 618-437-5321, Ext. 1241, or email adulted@rlc.edu. More information regarding the new GED test can be found online at www.gedtestingservice.com.