Literacy Volunteers of Roanoke Valley Holds
New GED Preparation Workshop
 

In November 2002, Literacy Volunteers of Roanoke Valley held a new advanced training workshop for tutors who work with or want to work with learners who want to take the General Educational Development (GED) Tests. In the past, we have targeted learners from emergent readers to fifth-grade level; however, a recent trend has brought more advanced learners into the program, and many of these learners want to prepare for the GED. Although our basic literacy training serves our tutors well for teaching reading and writing skills to adults at a variety of levels, we decided that a workshop that focused on applying these basic techniques to GED preparation would be very useful to our tutors and their learners. With ten participants, this workshop was indeed a success, so additional advanced training workshops will be offered to tutors in the near future. Thanks to Claire Blake, Lee Bristor, Sharon Huff, Paula Jones, Joyce McDonald, Kevin Myatt, Maggie Nevers, Dennis Pendleton, Angela Rauenswinter, and Stuart Wamsley for bringing their experiences and insight to the workshop.

Like people in the general public, many of our tutors know very little about the GED Tests. The American Council on Education develops and administers the GED Tests through its arm, the General Educational Development Testing Service. Roanoke City Public Schools Adult Basic Education gives the GED Tests locally. Five tests make up the GED: Language Arts - Reading, Language Arts - Writing, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics. Employers and educational institutions widely accept the GED as equivalent to a high school diploma. Thus, passing the tests can open the doors of opportunity that might otherwise be closed. 

As mentioned above, many learners now enter our Basic Literacy Program because they need one-to-one help with GED prep. Without a high school diploma, people find themselves stuck in dead-end jobs or denied access to educational opportunities for self-improvement or enhanced employability. Passing the GED Tests is a much desired and needed goal. It means a great deal to these learners. However, passing the tests is no cake walk. The new 2002 GED Tests were norm tested with graduating high school seniors in the spring 2001. Their guidance counselors assured the testing service that these students would receive high school diplomas. 30% of these students could not pass the GED tests. So a GED means a lot indeed. Perhaps, in some cases, more than a high school diploma.  

While Roanoke City Public Schools Adult Basic Education as well as other agencies offer GED classes throughout the year, many learners benefit from and need one-to-one tutoring, either in lieu of or as supplement to classes. Literacy Volunteers of Roanoke Valley is fortunate to have volunteer tutors who are willing to give a few hours a week to help meet this need. Yet the demand for these tutors is always greater than the supply. We continue to need and ask for support from people in our community. No teaching experience is necessary. We provide training, materials, and support.

Tutoring learners at any level is a challenge, but a challenge that offers great rewards. After becoming a volunteer tutor, people from all walks of life have find that they have the ability and the talent to help another person acquire improved literacy skills. If you’re interested in helping or if you need help or know someone who does, call 265-9339.