Cherokee County Adult Education program tops in the state
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

Cherokee County adult education teachers are shown at a Nov. 16 awards luncheon in Columbia with state Department of Education adult education director Dr. David Stout. Pictured (left to right, front row) are Brenda Humphrey, Monet Means, Beth Martin, Christina Iluzado and Stephanie Hyleman. (Back row) Suzy George, Lucious Jones and Cherokee County Director Lisa Hannon.

The Cherokee County Adult Education program was number one in the state this year with 80 percent of its students passing the national GED exam for a high school diploma.

Cherokee County was presented with the Palmetto Trend-Setters Award on Nov. 16 at an awards luncheon in Columbia. The award was presented to adult education programs that met or exceeded the GED passing rate of 59.5 percent last school year.

It was one of several awards the adult education program received for its efforts to help students finish their high school education.

The GED testing program gives adults who have not graduated from high school a way of earning their equivalency diploma. A GED opens the door for adults to enter college, get better jobs or enlist in the military.

Cherokee County was one of 11 school districts to receive a Palmetto Achievers Award for exceeding state performance standards in all academic categories.

The local adult education program received a Palmetto Star award for exceeding the state's overall passing rate of 68.9 percent. Cherokee County received a Palmetto Partner award in recognition of its partnership with the Department of Social Services.

The adult education program received a career readiness award for issuing at least 150 state career readiness certificates. Based on the Work Keys test, the career readiness certificates provide potential employers with information on a person's job skills.

Adult education director Lisa Hannon attributed the state recognition to the hard work of teachers and students.

"These awards are the result of the care and concern our teachers show in working with our students to help them be successful," Hannon said. "I am very proud of these accomplishments. It speaks highly about the quality of the program and what we offer here."

The adult education program is based around a Fast Track curriculum that was designed last year by teachers Beth Martin and Stacey Sprouse. The curriculum covers the basic skills students need to know to pass GED sections for social studies, science, math and English.

With a $70 test fee, Martin said the Fast Track curriculum was developed so students will not waste time and effort attempting to pass the GED exam without being prepared.

"This is a team effort," Martin said. "We work together to make sure that when students go through the Fast Track program that they will have the skills needed to pass the GED exam."

The GED exam is a group of five multiple choice tests measuring whether a person has the general knowledge and thinking skills required to earn a high school diploma. To ensure the GED meets high school graduation standards, the GED is designed so onethird of current high school students nationally will not pass the exam.