THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 14, 1994 TAG: 9408120282
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Education
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Long : 103 lines
THE MAN FROM Windsor is operating a successful business; as far as everyone knows, he is doing quite well.
``But,'' said Michelle Duncan, director of General Education Development at the P.D. Pruden Vo-Tech Center, ``he couldn't even write his own name. His wife took care of the books.''
The businessman finally took care of the business of education, went for his GED, passed the test and now handles his own books.
``He left here on a cloud,'' said Duncan, who has seen many others do the same.
``There were 38 people who passed the GED tests in the 1992-93 season - 106 in '93-'94,'' she said. ``So far this season, we have 31.''
This is only the third year for GED and ABE (Adult Basic Education) at Pruden.
The primary function of the 20-year-old Vo-Tech Center is to serve high school students from Suffolk and Isle of Wight County, which share operational expenses.
Now, Pruden also spends a lot of time with adult education.
``Before we came into the picture,'' said Scott Weatherford, assistant director and principal of adult education, ``each area had its own such program.''
In addition to classes at the school on Godwin Boulevard, Adult Basic Education programs are given in the workplace, an effort to help combat illiteracy and improve low academic skills.
Classes are held at such places as Southwestern Elementary School, the Plummer Community Center in Pughsville and Faith Temple on Wellons Street in Suffolk.
There are contracted programs at Thomas J. Lipton Inc., Suffolk's Department of Social Services, Obici Hospital and the Virginia Department of Transportation.
The Vo-Tech Center works with clients referred by the court system.
Some Planters employees are learning computer skills to help them when the company moves into its new plant.
``Not all our programs are for literacy improvement,'' Weatherford said. ``Some are for computer training.
``In the past two years, we've seen employees come into the GED program to advance in their jobs,'' he said. ``Job competition is getting tight.''
The students, who are 18 and older, work at their own level on their own time.
``Classroom time is optional, but necessary,'' said Leonora Barnes, Pruden's director of adult basic education.
Weatherford describes GED as ``four years of high school in 60 hours.''
The final step is the test, given the second Saturday of each month.
``It's not easy,'' Duncan said. ``For instance, algebra and geometry are necessary for a GED diploma, but not for high school.
``We don't encourage high school dropout,'' she said. ``Employees prefer a high school diploma, but a GED is acceptable.''
It has worked for some of today's school teachers who did not have a high school education.
``They left school,'' Barnes said, ``later got a GED, then went on to get their master's. Then, they got a teaching job.
``One of my former students, who was a problem in high school, dropped out,'' she said. ``Later, he passed his GED. Now, he owns a construction company in Richmond.''
Many older GED students are men and women who did not get past the second or third grade.
``A 62-year-old man saw his daughter graduate from nursing school,'' Duncan said. ``It made him want to take GED. He passed the test the second time.''
For many, GED is the culmination of participation in the Adult Basic Education program.
GED and Adult Basic Education often cater to such fundamental needs as reading, writing and arithmetic.
``Some people want to learn to balance their checkbooks, some want to learn to write,'' Barnes said.
``Some parents want to learn so they can help their kids with homework,'' Duncan said. ``Some people want to build their self-esteem.''
Those are the people involved with Adult Basic Education, readying themselves for GED.
``It's almost like going from elementary to middle to high school,'' Duncan said. ``Some people can go right from Adult Basic Education into the GED test.''
Motivation is the key - self-motivation or a push by family and friends.
``In one case,'' Duncan said, ``a son graduated in June and motivated his mom, who passed her GED.''
Pruden also offers nightly vocational classes covering a variety of subjects including air conditioning/ refrigeration, basic electronics, gourmet cooking and home video production.
Prices range from $36.50 for You and Your Garden to $177.50 for geriatric nurses aide training. MEMO: Registration for first semester adult classes, September through
December, is now being accepted. Tuition fees must be paid in full at
time of registration. The cost for GED is $45. There is no fee for ABE.
For information, call 539-7407.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Scott Weatherford is assistant director and principal of adult
education at the P.D. Pruden Vo-Tech Center.
by CNB