September 11, 2012- ALBANY, GA-Albany Technical College will officially cut the ribbon on its newly relocated Adult Education Center in Lee County on Tuesday, September 12, 2012 at 10 a.m. at 1346-G U.S. Highway 19 South (next to Meatslanger's).
The Albany Tech Lee County Adult Education Center serves citizens in Lee County ranging from 16 to 100 years of age. Over the past five years, the program has produced at least 75 General Education Diploma (GED) graduates per year. Students in the Lee County Adult Education program have been bestowed the honor of being named a Golden EAGLE Award winner (Ms. Jimmie Walls) for being the oldest graduate in the state of Georgia in 2005; and an EAGLE Delegate, Ms. Keonna Tumblin, in 2011. Tumblin has recently been nominated for the GED Graduate Award and recently authored a book.
During FY 2012, the Lee County Adult Education Center enrolled 186 students with the majority of students 16 to 18 years of age. One hundred ten students achieved at least one academic level and 29.4 percent of students enrolled transitioned to post-secondary education.
During the week of September 10 through 14, Georgia's adult education centers throughout Georgia, including Albany Technical College, will be offering adult learners the opportunity to take a GED practice test at no charge. All prospective test-takers need to do is visit one of the centers and see how a small investment of their time can open the door to greater opportunities for them and their families.
Staff will also be on hand at the centers to explain what's needed to sign up for the GED preparation classes that are always free to every Georgian. They'll also explain how the cost of taking the full set of GED tests shouldn't be a deterrent to anyone because grants and other financial assistance, including a scholarship provided by AT&T, are available. Many locations will be offering a look at the new computer-based GED test, which will be used statewide by the end of the year.
"Literacy week is an excellent opportunity to focus on the 1.2 million citizens in Georgia over the age of eighteen and the population of 16-17 year olds who have less than a high school education," said Linda Coston, Associate Vice President for Adult Education at Albany Technical College.
Included in the numbers are 29 counties where over 30 percent of the adult population does not have a high school education. The majority of the counties in the service delivery area of Albany Tech are included in the 29 counties and have a tremendous effect on economic development of our communities.
Besides the ribbon cutting at the newly relocated Lee County location, Albany Technical College has created an array of activities to bring awareness of our literacy needs to be held the week of September 10-14, 2012. Activities include free GED Practice Test at all adult education centers in the college's seven-county Service Delivery Area (SDA). The activities were developed to encourage every adult learner without a high school education to visit Albany Tech's centers and allow us to help them prepare to earn their high school equivalency.
"Working together, we can create stronger families, communities, and a literate workforce," said Coston.
Last year, more than 19,000 adult learners earned their GED diploma. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a person with a high school or GED credential earns $10,000 more per year than a non-high school graduate. The income level increases substantially more for those who go on to complete a college certificate, diploma or degree program.
In addition to the Lee County Adult Education Center, Albany Technical College offers Adult Education services on its main campus in Albany, as well as in Baker, Clay, Calhoun, Randolph and Terrell Counties.
For more information about Albany Technical College's Adult Education Program, call 229-430-1620. For a listing of an Albany Tech Adult Education Center in your county, visit www.albanytech.edu.
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