Deal: Georgia GED annual graduates up in FY 17
Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that 10,128 Georgians graduated with GED certificates in the past year, up from 9,842 in FY 16, according to the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). Graduation rates for FY 17, which ended June 30, were 75.7 percent.
“An educated workforce provides a strong foundation for a prosperous economy, and we are dedicated to providing Georgia citizens with high-quality educational options,” said Deal. “A GED diploma opens doors to a brighter future and greater opportunities, and I applaud these graduates for embracing those opportunities. The graduates this year have each accomplished a praiseworthy feat and are now better equipped for Georgia’s workforce as a result of their hard work.”
Deal and TCSG recognized several outstanding GED programs and graduates this week. Rhonda Miller, an employee of the Macon Housing Authority and a graduate of Central Georgia Technical College’s GED program, received the award for Outstanding Achievement. Sabine Bercher, who received her GED diploma from Augusta Technical College, was recognized for receiving the highest overall GED test scores. Honored as the “Golden GED Graduate of the Year” was 68-year-old Oliver Toby, who earned his GED diploma through Clayton County Schools. Janice Tarleton, of Southern Crescent Technical College, was named 2017 GED Test Administrator of the Year.
“Achieving this milestone means that more of our citizens than ever are now qualified for greater educational and career opportunities, and we are extremely proud of each and every GED graduate,” said TCSG Commissioner Gretchen Corbin. “Each step we take in educating the working-age Georgians who have yet to graduate from high school also gives our companies greater access to the talent they need to be successful.”
“Our free Adult Education classes and highly-trained staff play critical roles in helping more students successfully pass their tests,” said Beverly Smith, assistant commissioner for Adult Education and GED Testing. “We know that students who attend these free classes have, on average, a 12 percent higher pass rate than students who don’t. Our Adult Education program has 31 providers at 451 education sites across the state. Our instructors are ready and able to serve Georgians who need our services. We are also engaged in an aggressive marketing campaign to reach as many citizens as possible. Our vision is to build a stronger workforce for Georgia and a better future for all of our families.”
About the TCSG GED Testing Program
In the past ten years, the TCSG GED Testing Program has awarded 166,378 diplomas. Georgia was the first state to offer the GED test on a computer in December 2011 and the first to implement a complete transition of the GED mobile computer-based testing in corrections facilities in 2014. TCSG has 66 GED Testing Centers and 63 mobile testing sites, providing testing for three Youth Challenge Academies, three Job Corps centers, more than 83 correctional institutions and eleven youth detention centers.
About TCSG
The 22 colleges of TCSG are Georgia’s top resource for skilled workers. TCSG offers world-class training in 600 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs to students who are trained on state-of-the-art equipment by instructors who are experts in their fields. The system also houses Georgia’s Office of Adult Education, which promotes and provides adult literacy and education programs, including the GED Testing Program, throughout the state. In addition, TCSG partners with companies through Quick Start, the nation’s top customized workforce training program, and through its individual colleges, who work with local industry to provide workforce and training solutions. For more information, visit www.TCSG.edu.
TCSG Contact: Alison Tyrer, atyrer@tcsg.edu