GRADUATION FOR ADULTS AUG. 22

Carla Barker, Tina Rodgers, Ellen Wright and Gina Franklin will attend graduation ceremonies Aug. 22, along with 56 other graduates of the Cape Girardeau Area Vocational-Technical School's Adult Basic Education program.

Sandi Hendricks and Nancy Branson of the program encourage students to stay in school. Obtaining a General Educational Development diploma isn't an easy way out; the GED test is designed so that one of three graduating seniors can't pass the test, Hendricks said.

However, help is available for those who have dropped out of school. "Motivation is the key -- how badly you want it," Hendricks said.

Students entering the program must be at least 16 years old and not be enrolled in high school.

"It's never too late to learn," said Branson. "Our oldest graduate is 76 years old, and the oldest in the program now is 66 years old."

Every student has an individual study program and works at his or her own level, taking the test when ready.

One of every 20 college freshmen is a GED graduate. The typical GED student has completed 11th grade and is 26 years old. One of every seven adults with high school credentials is a GED graduate.

Bill Poteet, a state supervisor of the Adult Basic Education program, said 87 percent of Missouri students polled said their purpose for taking the GED is to pursue further education.

The test is heavy on reading and consists of an essay on an assigned topic, an objective English test, and tests on social studies, science, literature and arts interpretation, and mathematics.

It is possible to take the test without attending the classes, but it isn't encouraged. "We would rather the students study with us for at least 12 hours before taking the test, and have a better chance of passing it the first time," Hendricks said.

Volunteer instructors are needed. "Just an hour a week could mean so much," said Branson.