GED PROGRAM HELPS OLDER STUDENTS

Teacher Lucille Gesell walks quietly among her students at Hawkins Junior High School, so different from the ones she taught years ago as an elementary school teacher in Nebraska.

For one thing, they're adults. Her eight students, between age 19 and 40, are from different backgrounds and bring with them a variety of life experiences.

For whatever reason, their paths have led them to a small art room in Jackson's junior high school.

What the students have in common is a desire to receive a certificate of high school equivalence: to pass the GED tests.

Tonight, students are taking placement tests, which will help teachers decide what areas each student needs the most help in.

To one man Gesell says, "I think you need to work on your reading. Do you like sports? Maybe you can start by spending 30 minutes each day with the sports section."

To another student she suggests reading aloud to her young child.

Gesell said she began teaching general educational development classes 14 years ago when she first moved to Missouri and has enjoyed teaching the classes ever since.

"I like working with adults," she said.

In addition to the actual academic work, students must sometimes overcome emotional baggage, she said.

"Many have been made to feel that they can't learn," Gesell said. "But they can."

And they do.

To pass the GED test, a person must demonstrate basic proficiency in five areas -- English, which includes an essay; science; social studies; reading comprehension; and mathematics, including both basic arithmetic and algebra and geometry.

To begin the journey toward a GED certificate, students first take a battery of tests, scored by computer to ascertain their skill level.

Then a "prescription sheet" is assigned, a study guide specifically designed to strengthen a student's weak areas, Gesell said.

Tutors like David Eifert tailor instruction to the individual, because each student has a different level of education and different skills.

Poor reading skills affect people from all age groups, ethnic groups and economic classes. As many as 40 percent of all people older than 16 test at a sixth-grade reading level or less.

Both Eifert and Gesell agree the one-on-one work is extremely important.

Students can get a tutor from the folks at the Adult Basic Education office at the Cape Girardeau Vocational School or at Hawkins Junior High School or other outposts in a six-county area.

Finally -- when the student and teacher feel it's time -- comes the tests.

Complete testing, given monthly at Southeast Missouri State University, takes eight hours.

The program can use more volunteer tutors. After training, volunteers can work as little as one hour a week. The program supplies tutors and students with materials -- books and computer programs specially designed for adults with low reading skills.