CONWAY  – From March 1 through May 21, Horry County residents without a high school diploma or Work Keys certificate may earn one or both credentials by participating in the Adult Education 50 Days Challenge of preparing and practicing for the tests.

Week-long instructional sessions at each Adult Education location will focus on one section of the GED or Work Keys test. Students will take a pre-test each week in each of the four subsections: Reasoning through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science and Social Studies. Directed classroom instruction will focus on major test topics and test-taking strategies; students will also practice timed writings and readings while integrating technology into their lessons. Students will end the week with an official GED practice exam on the subject studied that week. Students who are deemed ready to take the official GED exam or Work Keys tests can register and schedule a testing date at that time.

“Our goal is 100 new GED graduates and 100 new Work Keys certificates between March 1 and May 21,” says Adult Education Director Etta L. Green Carter. “It is entirely possible to reach these goals through teamwork, delivering focused instruction, pushing students to work hard, and helping students believe in themselves.”

Students and teachers will be recognized weekly with incentive prizes and awards. All students who earn a GED by May 21 will be eligible to participate in Adult Education Graduation ceremonies on May 26.I present to you, the HCS 50 Days Challenge! It would not be a challenge if it was not over the top.

How Does It Work? We will run week long sessions at each of our base sites from 9:00-11:00 on a section of the GED Test. A pretest will be given at the beginning of the week and a GED Ready test at the end of the week. During this time, Teachers will focus on their students’ needs, hit major topics, give strategies, timed writings and readings, integrate technology, and other best practices to prepare students.

What’s the Goal? 100 new GED graduates between March 1st and May 21st and 100 new Workkeys certificates

How is this possible? Teamwork and pushing students to work hard and help them believe in themselves. Focused instruction and pulling students back in who have the stopped coming.Competition Highlights:

  • ​The site with the most GED grads between this time will receive an all expenses paid lunch and party, pictures featured on Facebook and our website, free T-shirts, and so much more.
  • The teacher with the most GED grads and most Workkeys during this time will receive a prize package as well.
  • Each week, teachers will nominate one student from day and night classes who is just working it out. The student names will be put in a drawing for a prize and all will be recognized.
  • A visual will be placed at each site to keep track of where we are as a total team and where we are as a site.
  • Students who finish by May 21, 2016 will be able to march in graduation services on May 26, 2016.

ESL Teachers

  • ​You will focus on Work Keys completion and students meeting the 60 hours requirement for post testing
  • Each week, teachers will nominate one student from day and night classes who is just working it out. The student names will be put in a drawing for a prize and all will be recognized.
  • The top classes with the most Workkeys completion between this time will receive an all expenses paid lunch and party, pictures featured on Facebook and our website, free T-shirts, and so much more.
  • A visual will be placed in each class to keep track of where we are as a total team and where we are as a class.

Satellite Sites

The satellite site with the most Workkeys completers and GED completers will receive prizes too!

The GED test has opened doors to better jobs and college programs for more than 19 million graduates since 1942. Last year nearly 800,000 adults sat for the GED test, which is accepted by virtually all U.S. colleges and employers. As the creator of the one official GED test, GED Testing Service has a responsibility to ensure that the program continues to be a reliable and valuable pathway to a better life for the millions of adults without a high school diploma.

In addition to high school completion classes, Horry County Schools Adult Education provides  skills training for students to enroll in college, enlist in the military, or pursue a career. All students will complete a job skills assessment and earn a Work KeysÒ certificate, a portable credential that shows employers anywhere in the United States the achievement of a certain level of workplace employability skills.

Students may choose to pursue one of more than 1800 career pathways from the 16 nationally-recognized Career Clusters and receive targeted instruction to help them succeed in their post-secondary goals. Through partnerships with other local and state agencies, Adult Education is also able to provide specific learning labs and classes based on students’ interests. Students gain hands-on experience in areas such as business, health science, hospitality and tourism, and information technology.

Educational childcare is available for children up to age 5 whose parents are participating in Adult Education programs. Childcare is free, however parents must participate in Parent & Child Together time and parenting classes. Several English as a Second Language classes, from beginner to advanced, are also available, with students from more than 30 different countries.

Classes are open to any person age 17 or older who has officially withdrawn from school. Classes are held Monday through Friday and students may select from flexible day or evening time slots to accommodate their individual schedules. All registration, testing and course fees are free, as a result of business partnerships and grants between federal and state government entities and the SC Department of Education’s Office of Adult Education.

Registration, orientation and placement testing are held every Monday at 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at Conway Education Center, 1620 Sherwood Drive, and Myrtle Beach Family Learning Center, 770 Swallow Avenue at HGTC Grand Strand – Building 100 . For more information and to register, visit http://hcae.horrycountyschools.net or call the Adult Education Office at 843-488-6200. All Adult Education programs and services are available at both Conway Education Center and Myrtle Beach Family Learning Center; limited services are available at satellite centers in Carolina Forest, Finklea, Little River/Longs and North Myrtle Beach.—-Information above is from a submitted Press Release.