from North Hamilton Weekly, Chattanooga Times Free Press Community News, January 20, 2010. By Emily Crisman
RE:START GED program graduate Scotty Meeks accepts his diploma. (Photo by Erin Hora)
"High school dropouts of all ages are improving their chances of reaching their career goals in a difficult job market by obtaining a GED with the help of the preparation program offered by RE:START - The Center for Adult Education.
“The primary purpose of the GED preparation program is to help an adult earn their educational credentials so that they can enter the work force or maintain stable employment,” said RE:START Executive Director Lori Hairrell. “Even some fast food restaurants require a GED.”
Program participants receive instruction in reading, math and language arts until they demonstrate an efficiency level, she said, then take practice tests to further prepare them for the exam.
“It’s really a big monumental task for someone who has quit high school for whatever reason, who is trying to maintain a family or full-time job,” said Hairrell. “There’s a lot of barriers to overcome, and we want to help people break that cycle and move on with their lives and overcome the odds.”
Scotty Meeks of North Chattanooga said he dropped out of high school at age 16 because he had to work and was out for 22 years before pursuing his GED at age 38."
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