Local program providing free GED testing
Published 3:41 pm Wednesday, November 2, 2016
- File Photo
A local agency is offering education to those who would not normally be able to afford it.
Jessamine County Adult Education is offering free General Education Development (GED) testing through the month of November.
Normally, the test would cost $120, but the JCAE has received funding that makes the test free for participants. This is not the first time the organization has offered this to community members.
“We run the free GED testing periodically,” Mary Newton, Director of Adult Education at the JCAE, said. “For a lot of people the cost of the testing is a real barrier in getting their GED. So we recieved some scholarship funds from United Way.”
The Providence School in Wilmore hosted an archery tournament that also raised funds for the free testing.
“Since we now have these funds, we want to let people know the cost no longer needs to be a barrier,” Newton said. “The cost has steadily increased throughout the years for the test.”
Since JCAE opened and became a place for testing in 1991, the center has helped 2,500 people receive their GED in Jessamine County, Newton said.
Among GED testing JCAE also works with adults in college readiness and English as a second language.
Along with high school diploma equivalent GED, students can take a WorkKey’s test. This test, is a national career readiness certification, and some employers will accept it in place of a high school diploma or a GED.
JCAE also has a program that works with Bluegrass Community and Technical College to allow students to go to the college while also receiving their GED.
Those wanting to utilize the free GED testing offer can do so until the end of November.
“If one is not ready for the test, we can help them get there,” Newton said. “Don’t be scared to try it. I think there is some misunderstandings that the test is way too hard, but that is not the case. Our students are passing at a pretty good rate.”
Call the Jessamine County Adult Education center at 859-887-9052 for more information or to set up a time.
