Recent Activity
Nancy Seely, Adult Education Supervisor
Historic Knoxville High 101 E. Fifth Ave., Knoxville, TN 37917 (865) 594-3622
Dear Students, Prospective Students, and Citizens of Knox County,
Lately there have been some reports in the media that Historic Knoxville High might be closing. In light of those reports, I want to personally reassure everyone that Knox County Schools Adult Education will continue to offer quality educational services to our students and the community. In the event that a move occurs, we will still have classes during the transition process at a nearby church, so that all students continue their educational pursuits towards GED® attainment without interruption to the learning process. I have faith and confidence that the Knox County Board of Education and Dr. James P. McIntyre will remain supportive of Adult Education in the future and will make the appropriate decisions for the citizens of Knox County.
Sincerely,
Nancy Seely, Adult Education Supervisor
GED® TEST TO GET SIGNIFICANT REVISION IN 2014
CHANGES AFFECT FORMAT, CONTENT, AND COST OF EXAM
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development’s Adult Education division is preparing for major changes to the General Educational Development (GED®) test to take effect in 2014.
“We encourage eligible Tennesseans who have not earned their GED® to do so now,” said Commissioner Karla Davis. “Beginning January 1, 2014, the GED® test will cost more, must be taken on a computer, and will contain significant content changes.”
The GED® test is undergoing its biggest overhaul since the credentialing test began in 1942. The revised test will measure knowledge and core skills that more closely reflect Common Core State Standards, which is the body of information young people are expected to learn in school and need for success in college and the workforce.
Standards go up for the test to remain a valid option to identify skills demanded by employers and postsecondary schools. The 2014 test will be more rigorous in general and requires higher level math proficiency. As before, the new GED® test covers subject areas – writing, reading, science, social studies, and math.
“The quality of the labor force is one of the most important factors that employers look at when they think about locating in a state, specifically, the education of the people who make up the labor force and their ability to deliver on the job,” said Marva Doremus, Labor and Workforce Development Administrator for Adult Education. “An educated workforce is critical to our future as a state. The only way we can grow Tennessee’s economy is with the right workers Last year, 56.6% of those issued a GED® credential in Tennessee were between the ages of 17 and 25. These individuals have 50 years to be in the workforce. We need to move them forward into postsecondary or other job training programs.”
Commissioner Davis added, “New jobs are not being created for those without a high school education. Unemployment rates are inversely related to the level of education a person has achieved. The more education a person has, the less likely he is to be unemployed. The same is true of income – the income differences between a person who does not have a high school or GED® and a person who does are striking.”
Other important points:
People who have not passed all parts of the current GED® test before the end of the current GED® test series, i.e., by December 31, 2013, will have to start over when the 2014 edition begins.
Presently the fee for taking the GED® averages $65. When the GED® test becomes computer-based in 2014, the fee will be a minimum of $120.
Last year 12,047 Tennesseans earned GEDs®. Tennessee still has 900,000 to one million adults without a high school diploma. Almost 29,000 students dropped out of high school in 2011.
To help existing GED® Test Centers transition from the old paper-based testing format to computer-based testing, Tennessee is offering three pilot programs for people to take the current GED® test before the launch of the new 2014 series. Test Centers at UT-Martin, Tennessee State University, and Walters State Community College are taking part in the pilot program. The fee to take the test at one of the pilot centers is $120.
For further information on obtaining a GED®, contact the GED® Office in the Adult Education Division of the Department of Labor & Workforce Development, (615) 741-7054, or e-mail Susan.Doughty@tn.gov.
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The Knox County Schools Adult Education program offers instruction in Basic Skills, Pre-GED®, G.E.D.® Preparation, and English Language Learners (ELL) for non-native speakers of English.
Mission: The mission of Knox County Schools Adult Education is:
- to work with students to help them reach their educational goals.
- to teach students how to educate themselves so when they complete the program they are equipped to be independent life-long learners.
Adult Education is open to anyone 17 years or older.
A student who is 17 years old will require a release of compulsory form from the last school attended and an age waiver which must be approved by the school board and Superintendent Dr. James McIntyre. The G.E.D® testing office will help facilitate this process. Students who are 18 years old must have officially withdrawn from the last school attended before attending Adult Education.
There are not any fees for materials and instruction. Adult Education classes are funded and supported by Knox County Schools and the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
All of our teachers are board certified and able to teach any subject. Students will work in a classroom environment with both large and small group instruction. Students progress at their own pace and move through the program in classes geared to their educational needs. Our goal is to provide students with the best possible instruction to be successful in obtaining a G.E.D.® and continuing their education, if desired. Realizing that students have many responsibilities Adult Education teachers make every effort to maximize time in the classroom.
There are times when funding becomes available making it possible to assist students financially with the cost of G.E.D.® testing. However, the student must meet certain requirements to qualify for funding. To find out if this funding is available and the scores you will need to qualify please call our office at 594-3622.
How to Register
Registration begins with Orientation which is held twice each week to accommodate people with various schedules. The times scheduled for Orientation are as follows:
Two days (Both Days Required)
Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. till 2:30 p.m.
Two evenings (Both Nights Required)
Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 p.m. till 9:00 p.m.
Call 594-3622 to sign-up for Orientation. All new students must attend Orientation before beginning classes.
Late arrivals will not be allowed to enter the classroom and will need to call the office to reschedule.
Adult Education Class Schedule at Historic Knoxville High School
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Tuesday & Thursday
When is graduation?
A Graduation Ceremony is held once a year for all who obtain their G.E.D.® through Knox County Schools Adult Education. It is a full cap and gown ceremony and students may invite friends and family members to attend. We promise to make it a very special event in your life. If your address has changed since you last attended, please call the office and let us know.
Please be aware that in order to achieve a GED® in the State of Tennessee you must take a GED® Practice Test. The GED® Practice Test is the same difficulty as the real GED® but half the amount of questions and half the time. Once you have completed this you will be given a transcript which is required to sign up for the real test. Be aware that the only way you can get a GED® in the State of Tennessee is to be tested at an Official State Testing Center. The Official State Testing Center in located at 101 East Fifth Avenue Knoxville, TN 37917. If you are attempting to obtain a GED® at any other institution make sure it is accredited.
English Language Learners (formerly ESOL/ESL)
ELL Registration at Fountain City United Methodist Church, 212 Hotel Road, is held every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. in room 112 starting August 14, 2012. Enter the church at the corner of Fountain Road and Church Street.
ELL Registration at Cokesbury Center, 9915 Kingston Pike, is held every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in room 102.
Starting September 5, 2012.
Students coming to register must provide their mailing address, phone number, and a secondary contact name with phone number.
Late arrivals will not be allowed to enter the classroom and will need to return the following week.
English Language Learners Class Schedule at Fountain City Methodist Church
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Tuesday & Thursday
6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Tuesday & Thursday
English Language Learners Class Schedule at Cokesbury Center
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Monday & Wednesday
This project is funded under an agreement with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Equal Opportunity employment/program and auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Adult Education Announcements  A Proclamation to Gretchen WilsonCounty Mayor Mike Ragsdale and City Mayor Bill Haslam proclaimed Dec. 17 "Gretchen Wilson Day" in honor of her support and effort on behalf of Adult Education across the state of Tennessee. Wilson, a Grammy Award-winning country music singer and recent GED (General Education Development) graduate in town for a concert that day, was presented a proclamation stating "it is the goal of Knox County Schools Adult Education and Knox County governing bodies to enroll citizens without high school diplomas in GED programs." Adult education classes, which include GED and ELL (English Language Learners) are offered at Historic Knoxville High downtown. Classes are taught by licensed instructors who help individuals earn their GED, learn literacy skills, gain employability skills and brush up on their basic academic skills. All classes are free and available to students year-round. The Adult Education program is funded by Knox County Schools and the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. For more information, call the Adult Education Office at 865-594-3622. |
Department Contacts
Department Links  ESL GoldThis is a free site with phrases for conversation, lots of listening, speaking, reading and writing exercises, etc., for ELL students. GED Testing SiteThe Official Site for the GED Tests GED Testing Service, a program of the American Council on Education, develops, delivers and safeguards the GED Tests. Start here for accurate and reliable information about the GED Testing program. Official GED Practice Test on LineClick on this link to take practice GED Official Practice Test on-line | ||||||||||||||||||
