Northwest adult education recognized for most graduates

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SENATOBIA, MS (07/26/2018) Northwest Mississippi Community College was recently recognized with the "Gold Glove Award" by the office of Adult Education, Mississippi Community College Board as the institution that achieved the highest number of High School Equivalency diplomas (HSEs) conferred during the fiscal year 2017-2018.

According to Tim Chavez, director of Adult Education, at the time the certificate was awarded, Northwest had conferred 192 HSE diplomas. "That was actually before June 30, so at last count, we were up to 209," Chavez said. Chavez explained that the number reflects students who were enrolled through the college's Adult Education (AE) program and does not reflect students who simply come to Northwest to take their test and who have not taken any AE classes here.

Northwest is one of several institutions where AE classes are taught. That number includes all 15 community/junior colleges, the state's correctional facilities, four public school districts, and the Greater Columbus Learning Center. Northwest offers the program of adult education to provide the opportunity for persons age 17 and older within the college's 11-county district to receive basic skills through the high school level and also offers classes that can prepare students to work for a certificate of high school equivalency (HSE) through a variety of options.

Currently, students in the Adult Education program at Northwest have four options available to them to reach HSE. All four options offer the same result, according to Chavez. Persons who complete them will receive a High School Equivalency Diploma that is recognized by the state of Mississippi and by employers throughout the state.

There are three equivalency tests available to choose from. The three tests cover the subject areas of Reading and Writing, Science, Social Studies and Mathematics. Each of these tests allow students up to two discounted retakes.

The most well-known is probably the General Education Development (GED), a joint venture of the American Council on Education and Pearson VUE. Another equivalency test that is available for students to take is the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), which is a product of Educational Testing Service (ETS). The third is the Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) test, a product of the Data Recognition Corporation.

The fourth option is the Mississippi Competency Based High School Equivalency. This option requires enrollment in Adult Education. Students will also need to apply for the Mississippi Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (MI-BEST) program, which is open to Mississippi residents aged 18 and older who have not earned a high school diploma.

At Northwest, MI-BEST students can choose college classes in manufacturing or health care. Upon completion of the MI-BEST program, in order to achieve the Mississippi Competency Based HSE, students will have achieved Silver level of the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC), 15 hours of college credit, the Smart Start credential, an industry-recognized credential, and an Educational Functioning Level (EFL) 5/6 level on the TABE.

"We would not have gotten this recognition had it not been for the time the instructors put in. It is from the application and dedication of the instructors that are in the classroom that are working with and encouraging students to be successful. It is their achievement. It is the fruits of their labor," Chavez said.

For more information on Adult Education at Northwest contact Betty Cossar, transition coordinator at 662-562-3698 or email bcossar@northwestms.edu. For more information on the MI-BEST program, contact Elizabeth Kairit at 662-560-1135 or email ekairit@northwestms.edu. Visit the college's website at northwestms.edu.

Pictured: Northwest Mississippi Community College was recently recognized with the "Gold Glove Award" by the office of Adult Education, Mississippi Community College Board as the institution that achieved the highest number of High School Equivalency diplomas (HSEs) conferred during the fiscal year 2017-2018. Front row (l-r) Lea Ann Grantham, MI-BEST team teacher; Ada Armstrong, Wanda Williams and Sherri Camp, instructors; Elizabeth Kairit, MI-BEST coordinator; Rachelle Washington, MI-BEST student navigator and Martha Strong, instructor. Second row (l-r) Tim Chavez, director of Adult Education; Ashton Smith, data entry specialist; Mary Julia Moore, instructor/mentor and Kandi Tippit, Sherrie Powell, Shannon Long and Carrie Bradley, instructors. Third row (l-r) Dr. David Campbell, district dean of Career, Technical and Workforce Education; Anthony Tolbert, instructor; Jennifer Williams, lead instructor; Ketia Francis-Johnson, Kay Barron and Victor Richardson, instructors and Betty Cossar, transition coordinator. (Photo by Kayleigh McCool)