GED CLASSES AT THE LIBRARY

Terressa Jefferson
Ridgeview Branch Manager

            The Ridgeview Branch Library is offering GED (General Education Diploma) classes again this year.  These classes are free and open to the public, and are sponsored by the Catawba Valley Community College.  The classes are held every Tuesday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the meeting room of the Ridgeview Branch Library.

            The GED is generally poplar among older adults who did not have the opportunity to finish their high school education when they were younger for whatever reason.  Nowadays, we are seeing more and more younger people, who have dropped out of high school, considering the GED as an option for them as they begin to realize how important a high school diploma is to their future.  However, they must be 17-years-old with parent’s permission to sign up.

            The GED was first started in 1942 for World War II veterans who had to interrupt their high school education because of the war.  Many of these veterans wanted to attend college once the war was over, so the way was opened for them through the GED.      It was later opened to the public in 1947.  In 1942 the GED test consisted of just basic general facts.  Today, the tests have been revised several times to adequately reflect our changing society and educational development.  There are five tests, which students must pass to obtain their GED.  These tests include Language Arts, Writing, Social Studies, Science and Mathematics.  The GED class here at the library prepares students to pass these tests.  In addition, the library has many GED preparation books with pretests to help students prepare.  Also, pretests may be taken online through Learning Express, available through the NCLIVE database (check with the library to learn how to access this database either from home or the library). 

            The GED can open many doors for people who obtain this diploma.  They can find better paying jobs or continue on to college or just have the satisfaction of knowing they have obtained their high school diploma.  Here are a few famous people that received their high school diploma by taking the GED:  Bill Cosby, comedian; Michael J. Fox, actor; Peter Jennings, news anchor; Chris Rock, comedian; and David Thomas, owner of Wendy’s Restaurant.

            To find out more information on how to enroll, please call the Ridgeview Branch Library at 345-6037 and we can help you get started.
            Hickory Public Library is a department of the City of Hickory.  Patrick Beaver Memorial Library is located at 375 3rd Street NE on the SALT Block and Ridgeview Branch Library is located at 706 1st Street SW.