By Nadia McSlide
What happened that the 35-year-old daughter of a college graduate, who is just now a college freshman? What barriers were in the way? A broken adult education system is the culprit. I am a new, proud freshman here at Tri-C who spent a decade fighting for high school credentials. Like so many other people, I had to overcome numerous barriers and obstacles that the G.E.D. and diploma programs put in my path.
I was home schooled, and when I turned 18 years of age, I started attending classes four days a week to take the test after all. The classes were sponsored through a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that always had different weekly progress test results. For example, one week I was doing well in math, then the next I allegedly regressed despite coming every day. The organization did not use textbooks or teach mathematics in chronological order with rules.
Eventually, I decided to take the test since I was always an avid reader. This institution directed my psychologist and me to contact an out-of-state G.E.D. center to send a request for disability accommodations documentation. The center never returned our calls, voicemails, or fax. My mother even got involved in helping with the call, but they never answered. All we experienced was the run around. I was surprised that they even ignored a professional like a psychologist. Since I did not have disability accommodations in place, I could not take the test.
My situation took place around 2010. Although recently they have been more responsive, so many adults still suffer from other barriers that the G.E.D. program has created. Six years after I experienced my first difficulties with the G.E.D., Hannah Halbert wrote an article titled “GED collapse prevents Ohioans from attaining high school diplomas.” The article sheds light on the quantity of institutional barriers that so many adult learners encounter. At the time the article was written, the Department of Higher Education and the Education Department handled different stages of the G.E.D. process. This arrangement caused a lack of communication between the two agencies. For example, the Department of Higher Education administered the programs that helped students prepare for the test. However, it was the education department that only had access to the Testing Services for students to take the exam to begin with. The G.E.D. test had become privatized. According to Kimberly MaShaun Rice (Ed.D.), who wrote an academic research dissertation titled “Improving the General Education Development (GED): Retention and Completion Rates of Low-Income Adults” (2019), the low student retention rates in the southeastern region of the United States were a barrier. The lack of computer skills required to take the test and obstacles in family dynamics caused so many to drop out. She offers suggestions such as a precise curriculum and the re-establishment of mentors and tutors.
Currently, with a quick web search, people still report that Testing Service customer support does not answer phone calls. Later, after having no success with the G.E.D. program, I went to search for private diploma programs. Years ago, most diploma programs required upfront payment of $1,000 or more and did not offer payment plans, even for books. They required the use of a computer, which I did not have. I wanted to utilize the library’s computer, but I had to verbally communicate with the class, which would disturb other patrons. I searched for a decade to find a high school program so I could earn the credentials necessary to go to college and be employable.
Finally, I found an accredited Mennonite school in Harrisonburg, Virginia, that offered payment plans, and I did not have to use a computer at all. I could mail my schoolwork while living in Ohio. They also had tutors to help with mathematics and science over the phone.
Initially, they tested where I was academically. I started in 2020 and graduated in September 2024. I am proud to call Christian Light Education my alma mater. It is because of my mother, who never gave up on me, my psychologist, and my school that I can write this article for Tri-C today.
For anyone struggling to find high school credentials, my alma mater is Christian Light Education, and the address is PO Box 1212, Harrisonburg, VA 22803. The director is Edith Schrock and can be reached at (540) 434-0750.
