Raquel Perez works on a geometry lesson Wednesday while preparing to take the national GED exam in December. Perez hopes to earn a high school equivalency diploma and enroll in Spartanburg Community College in a few months. Raquel Perez wanted to set a positive example when her daughter started kindergarten at Luther Vaughan Elementary this fall.

Perez dropped out of Gaffney High in the ninth grade when she became pregnant. After staying home to raise her daughter, Perez enrolled in adult education classes in October at the Cherokee Community Learning Center. The school is on Allison Road, just down the street from where her 5- year-old daughter attends kindergarten.

"Now that she's in school, I wanted to come back and finish high school so I could set a good example for my daughter," Perez said.

Perez is among 25 students finishing a month-long "Fast Track" adult education class for students ages 17-21. The class was developed so students with good academic skills and practice GED scores can complete their high school education quickly.

Adult education is typically a self-paced program where students come in at their own leisure to prepare for the national GED exam for a high school equivalency diploma.

In the "Fast Track" class, students attend class Monday through Thursday from 1:30-3 p.m. Students receive job skills training, GED academic classes, and earn a career readiness certificate by going through the national Work Keys program.

This is a $150 savings for students who successfully complete the program. Adult education grant funds cover the cost of the $70 test fee for the national GED exam.

Perez plans to take the GED in December. She is already thinking ahead to continuing her education at Spartanburg Community College in a few months.

"I think it's great that we get to do all these things in one month," said Perez, referring to the "Fast Track" class. "I never thought about adult education until I heard a presentation from director Lisa Hannon. I have spoken with my sister and she is now coming to classes at adult education. It would be nice if we could graduate together."

Cherokee County Adult Education teacher Beth Martin said the "Fast Track" class helps students prepare for the GED exam and focus on the future skills needed to get a good job.

By 2010, experts predict 80 percent of all jobs will require skill levels beyond those gained at high school.

"We want to do more than just help a student get their GED," Martin said. "We want to prepare students for the workforce by helping them set goals and get the education they need to get the jobs that interest them."