Adult Education Avenues Abound in Ohio County Schools
Joselyn King Trending
WHEELING -- Adult education opportunities in Ohio County aren't limited to those wanting to achieve a high school diploma, and the cost is free.
There are in-person English as a second language classes for speakers of other native languages, as well as for those in high school equivalency learning.
A multitude of opportunities, meanwhile, exist through adult education for those wanting to pursue online learning through independent study.
There is preparation instruction available online for those wishing to apply for school service personnel positions, and needing to take the NOCTI exam put forth by the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute.
A computer essentials certificate can be achieved through online study, as can a Microsoft Office certification.
There are also programs for customer service, to master Intuit Quickbooks, and for those in need of an IC3 Digital Literacy Certification.
The in-person classes for high school equivalency education and English as a second language take place during morning class sessions from 8 a.m. until noon Monday through Thursday at West Virginia Northern Community College.
Instructors Cindy West and Gail Adams also are available from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for students who need extra help, or need to speak with them.
Students in both in-person and online programs work at their own pace to achieve their learning goals.
"We're kind of a secret," Adams said of the Adult Education Center. "People don't know we're here. And yet adult education is so helpful to people."
West and Adams said about 120 students a year participate in adult education programs, with many coming from outside Ohio County in East Ohio and Western Pennsylvania communities.
Starting in January, the Adult Education Learning Center in Ohio County and others in West Virginia will again offer the General Education Development (GED) test. Most recent years have seen the West Virginia Department of Education mandating the HiSet high school equivalency exam be used.
The teachers said the change is a good one, in that most educators believe the GED exam to be more user-friendly for students.
"Some complete (their high school equivalency) in a month, some take a year or more," West said.
It all depends on how driven the student is, or how much time they have to devote to study, the instructors explained. Many have families and jobs on the side.
"Math is probably everyone's weakest point, and it's the scariest," Adams said.
They noted since COVID, more students have come in seeking their high school equivalency diplomas.
"When they were last in school COVID hit, and there was such a deficit in learning, they missed a lot," Adams said.
"Many of the students are COVID fallouts who couldn't handle online learning."
For others, high school learning was just a little too stringent for their tastes, Adams and West said. At the Adult Learning Center, there are no requirements for students to stay in the classroom and they can get up to leave to take a call, get a snack or have a restroom break.
"We try to give them flexibility," West Said. "Obviously, structured in-school learning didn't work for them."
Meanwhile, English as a second language classes are offered in a beginner, intermediate and advanced format.
Those in intermediate and advanced classes are welcome to continue attending the beginner classes to keep up their skills, Adams and West said.
Students recently in the program have come from Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Honduras, Italy, Ukraine and Senegal, Adams noted.
"We've had students come in who have had no ability in English at all, and have had to use translators," she added.
Students attending the in-person high school equivalency and language programs are "taken on field trips" to see other programs at WVNCC. They see the health sciences offerings at the school, and those in such areas as industrial technology and oil and petroleum.
About 40% of students achieving a high school diploma equivalency go on to college and a four-year degree, the instructors noted.
"The rest just want a good job, and that could be in the trades," West said.
Registration and orientation for adult education programs are by appointment only. To register, call the classroom at 304-214-8948.