COEUR d'ALENE - Silvia Roberts didn't know if she could do it, work full-time and do the hours of studying required for her to earn her GED.

But the 44-year-old Coeur d'Alene woman had a deep yearning to follow a dream. Working as a caregiver at a local assisted living facility, Roberts knew she had a knack for helping others.

"I have the desire to work with people, to comfort them," Roberts said.

She wanted to take her career to the next level, but that meant college courses, and first, Roberts needed a high school equivalency certificate.

She started working toward receiving her GED, preparing to take the five tests that make up the assessment, about two years ago, with the assistance of North Idaho College's Adult Education/GED Program.

"They helped me and encouraged me," Roberts said. "They put their hearts into what they're doing. It just helps people gain the courage to follow their dreams."

Roberts was among 526 individuals eligible to walk in this year's GED Graduation Ceremony held Thursday at North Idaho College.

The graduates ranged in ages from 16 to 60, coming from the five northern counties of Idaho as well as communities in Western Montana and Eastern Washington.

GED gets Common Core-style revamp

By MAUREEN DOLAN

Staff writer

The push to raise academic benchmarks isn't unique to traditional public school systems moving toward Common Core standards. Next year, students who don't complete high school will also have to reach a little higher to earn an equivalency credential.

The GED (General Education Development) program will release a new, updated test in January, and the current version will expire.

"The new test series is going to change a lot," said Mary Edwards, GED coordinator at North Idaho College.

Anyone who has begun taking the current battery of tests must finish and pass all the tests by Dec. 18 or he or she will have to start over with the new test series in order to earn a GED.

More than 1,400 North Idaho residents have started, but not completed, the current version of the GED test.

The GED Testing Service states on its website, www.gedtestingservice.com, that the new test "ensures the GED program is no longer an endpoint for adults, but a springboard for more education, training, and better-paying jobs."

The new tests will be dramatically different, Edwards said.

The current tests are mainly multiple choice. The new exams will include two long essays, four short essays and it will be completely computerized.

"The GED test opens doors to college, better jobs, the respect adults deserve, and the satisfaction of earning a high school credential," Edwards said. "We want to be sure that everyone is aware of this deadline. GED test-takers must act now to finish and pass before the current test expires."

The college offers free GED preparation programs throughout the state's northern counties.

"Support is available right here in North Idaho," said Rex Fairfield, director of NIC's Adult Education/GED program. "We can help adult learners get prepared to take parts of the GED test they still need in order to pass. We want you to succeed."

Information: Call 665-5097, visit www.nic.edu/adulteducation/ or www.gedtestingservice.com