The GED Testing Service has designated May 18 as GED Grad Day. From May 15 to 17, GED Testing Service will share pictures, videos, advice and stories from the GED community on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Find out more at Facebook GED Grad Day Pomp & Circumstance . . . , twitter.com/gedtesting , and  instagram.com/my_ged.

 

This month, LiteracyLinks is presenting a three-part newsletter about GED issues in conjunction with GED Grad Day. 

• Today, we recap real-life goals that lead to adult learners getting a GED.
• Tuesday, we profile a GED math tutor, note local resources for earning a GED, and remind you that Londer Learner Center faces budget cuts.
• Wednesday, we take a look at the difference a GED has made in a local adult learner's life.   

Real-life Goals for Getting a GED

Three reasons typify the quest for obtaining a GED: open the door to new opportunities, an opportunity to earn more money, and to help family and children. Portland Literacy Council offers GED testing scholarships: one of our questions asks why applicants want a GED. These are the responses of f our of our candidates.* 

KMM -- I came to the US as an asylum seeker from Uganda. I do hope getting a GED will open  up the barriers that prevent me from attaining a college degree which will be so essential in getting better paying jobs, not only that but GED will open other unknown possibilities when time comes for me to contribute to my communities.

AH -- I want to pursue further education and this part (high school graduation) is hindering me from moving forward. My goals for the future are to get a Bachelors degree in Public Health and give back to the community I live in. My long-term goal is to get a master degree and show others that it's never to late to learn and get education.

LS - A GED would change the life of my family because it would give me better job opportunities. A better job will give me a chance to give my five kids a stable future. I want to be able to afford them the opportunity to go to college.

JAH -- Honestly, I just want to be able to say yes I do have a general diploma under my belt, and yes I can continue on further into taking college courses. So far I've decided on being an electrician.

Portland Literacy Council offers testing vouchers to GED-Ready applicants. In 2016, we awarded 15 GED test vouchers, and from January through April 2017, PLC awarded 18 vouchers. For more details about our scholarship program, please see our GED section on the For Students page of the Portland Literacy Council's website.

Until tomorrow -- thanks, Readers, for your time.

Peggy L. Murphy, Vice President & Newsletter Editor

Portland Literacy Council

Editor's Notes 

• For privacy purposes, we have used applicant initials only; some responses were edited for clarity.
• You may have noticed that LiteracyLinks has changed to a shorter format. Our statistics indicate that over one-third of our readers view our emails on mobile devices. The change to a single-column email allows readers easier access to our newsletter and other communications.