Improving Quality of Life Through Education

 

Program Overview: Not everyone earns their diploma the traditional way - and that’s okay. Although completing high school is the best way to go, it just doesn’t work out for everybody. Fortunately, there is a way to get back on track: passing the GED Exam.

The Adult Education Program is designed to assist people who lack a high school diploma to prepare for the GED exam.  A person who takes the GED exam and achieves the passing score set by the State of South Carolina will earn a High School Equivalency Diploma issued by the SC Department of Education. The GED is recognized by nearly all employers and colleges, thereby providing its recipient with the same opportunities a more traditional high school graduate would have.  It is the acquisition of these opportunities – not the passing of the GED exam – which will affect the stated goal of the Adult Education Program:  to increase quality of life for our students.

Our staff and volunteer tutors work one-on-one with students of all ages to get ready for the GED. We accept new students every day, once they have completed a placement test.

 

How It Works: The program structure is designed to allow maximum flexibility for students. We offer tutoring, studying, practice GED testing, WorkKeys assessments and formal testing services. Students drop in as often as they can for help preparing for the GED at their own pace. Classrooms are staffed by academic counselors and by volunteer study partners who work in shifts to ensure help will be available for a student whenever he or she is able to attend.

In contrast to the traditional, structured, teacher-led model, our classrooms are more akin to study halls in which multiple students may be studying different material at the same time, with study partners offering help.  Each student has an individualized academic plan that guides him or her through the GED preparation curricula available in the classrooms. Progress is monitored by regular administration of the Practice GED.

The aforementioned WorkKeys component is new to United Ministries this year. Commonly recognized, requested or even required by many local employers, WorkKeys is a gauge of workplace strengths and skills. WorkKeys practice tests are administered in tandem with the practice GED tests. Those who score above the minimum standard will earn a Career Readiness Certificate (CRC).

United Ministries provides full cap-and-gown ceremonies to those earning their GED. Walking across the graduation stage is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many. Once they’ve earned their certificate, we also work with them to take advantage of new college and job training opportunities through WorkKeys Coordinator sessions on resume-building, goal-setting or career interest. Alternatively, our Transitions Counselor can ease students into our Employment Readiness program.

 

For Participants: Participants must be at least 17 years of age to take advantage of United Ministries’ Adult Education program.  The first step to enrollment is to take a brief placement test, which is offered twice a week. Space is limited so the test is available on a first come, first serve basis. Tutoring and practice tests are available free of cost with a $20 co-pay for the GED exam.

Once you have taken the placement test, you may stop by to study at any time during the following hours:

Monday-Tuesday, Thursday: 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. 
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Fridays: closed

For detailed information on specific elements of the program, please click on the individual links below.

 

Program Staff
Mary Allen Murphy, Adult Education,Team Leader
864.335.2606
mamurphy@united-ministries.org   

Janey House, Academic Counselor
864.335.2611 
jhouse@united-ministries.org

Loren Carr, WorkKeys Coordinator
864.335.2612
lcarr@united-ministries.org

Ken Christy, Academic Counselor
864.232.7726
kchristy@united-ministries.org   

Ben Sullivan, Academic Counselor
864.335.2617
bsullivan@united-ministries.org 

 

Support Opportunities: Adult Education has a number of areas where the community can give back.  Below, please find a short list of needed support.  For full list of opportunities, please click to view our Volunteer and Donation pages.

  • Study Partners: A great opportunity for those comfortable with basic math, reading, or writing skills to work with students one-on-one to prepare for the GED exam.
    Monday-Tuesday, Thursday: 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.  Wednesday: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
  • Sponsor a GED student
  • Donate school supplies (notebooks, paper, pencils, etc.)