Not everyone takes the traditional route
to graduation because typical high school doesn’t work for everyone.
Windham-Raymond Adult Education offers a way for anyone from ages 18 to 110 to
earn their high school equivalence certificate or their high school diploma
through classes offered at night.
This year, 31 students graduated and 20
of those marched at a ceremony held on June 12.
“They were a group that grew so much
this year - from kids who just wanted to get finished with school to adults
with a future focus. It was really exciting to watch as learners worked
together to meet their educational goals,” said Lisa Robinson, lead teacher,
who also does assessments and placements.
“Each student is given an individual
plan to meet their goals. We have that luxury in having small classes that
everything in individualized,” said Tom Nash, director of the adult education
program. Older students are given credits toward their high school diploma
based on work experience, volunteer experience and educational experience.
“Many have a hard time escaping their
past issues and indiscretion. They’re looking for a fresh start and we’re
willing to give it to them,” said Nash.
Gloria Warrick earned her associates, bachelors
and master’s degrees from an online college based in Colorado. She couldn’t
make their graduation ceremony, so she asked if she could be involved in the
adult education ceremony. She had originally gotten her GED through adult
education, said Nash. She was the last one to cross the stage and was given a
yellow cord to wear to signify being on the honor roll along with her stole and
gown from the university.
Alisha Blumenthal, 19, earned her
diploma this year. She grew up in foster care and spent two years on her own.
She moved to Florida, then moved back to Maine, had heart surgery and then
found Robinson. “Lisa helped get me there,” said Blumenthal. She plans to go to
SMCC to be a nurse and possibly get her master’s degree someday. “Lisa helped
me stay focused and kept me on track.” Blumenthal would like to encourage
student not to give up and not to feel like they won’t be anything.
“It’s the most exciting feeling in the
world. It’s my achievement, my motivation. I proved everybody wrong,”
Blumenthal said.
Matt McConnell, 18, loves to work. He
has two jobs and working full-time while attending school at night worked for
him. “(High school) wasn’t the right scene for me,” he said. His plan is to
attend Washington County Community College in Calais to earn an associate’s
degree in engine specialist and heavy equipment operation. After that he hopes
to move to Florida to find a job rebuilding motors and eventually open his own
auto body shop.
“For people who can’t do regular high
school, I’d recommend this all day,” he said.
This year was a transition year for many
states, as the trend was to stop giving the GED test and move to the HiSET
assessment.
“This was a transition year from the GED
to the HiSET (the Maine State approved testing option for a high school
credential). It went much smoother than expected, and the learners have had a
really positive experience with the new test,” said Robinson. The company that
created the HiSET is the same one that created the SAT test. It is both a paper
and a computer-based test, whereas the GED was going to completely computer
based, according to Nash. The HiSET test covers Language arts – reading and
writing, mathematics, science and social studies.
Steve McFarland, our College Transitions
Coordinator/Advisor
stated that about 50 percent of the students say they want to
attend some post-secondary
program, and about 20 to 25 percent will
actually do so.
