GED classes possible in Kimball

Some interest has been shown in a local GED course through Western Nebraska Community College and Panhandle Health Group.

According to PHG Peer Educator Liz Williams, consumers have asked about a local course, but none are available. GED classes are offered in Sidney, Scottsbluff and Alliance and support is available for students in Gordon and Chadron.

“So Mary Kay Versen, Director of Adult Education at WNCC, and I were discussing the possibility of offering a GED course in Kimball,” Williams said. “I know I have had a few consumers request a course, but in order for it to be available in Kimball we need at least five committed consumers.”

Williams is seeking input from anyone interested in a local course before a venue or schedule is confirmed.

“The process for adding a program can be lengthy and it must be approved by the state,” Versen said.

She will petition for the opening of the new location in the FY18 grant and if it is approved, the pair will begin looking for a location for the class.

“This location will require internet and it must be provided In-Kind,” Versen added. “I will not have funds to pay for use of a building or other costs.”

There is no time limit for those seeking a GED, according to Versen, who follows an open enrollment model.

“We cannot determine how long it will take each student. Every student comes into the program with different skill sets, with various levels of experience and education,” she said. “We frequently answer this very common question with ‘it depends on how hard you are willing to work!’”

Individual courses are not taught, instead, instructors design each class based on student need, according to Versen.

“When a student shows interest in earning a GED, they will follow a simple process. Each student will complete an orientation, take a federally mandated assessment test and they must complete the federally mandated College and Career Readiness (CCR) requirements. We combine the CCR requirements into the daily GED lesson plans, she explained. “Students will study the subjects required for them to earn their GED. We put them on an education plan, work them through a combination of instructor led classes, distant learning lessons, and assign homework assignments. Students must pass four tests to earn their GED (Social Studies, Math, Science and Language Arts).”

Interested consumers can contact Versen at 308-635-6769 or via email at [email protected].