Hi Guys! It’s Time For Another Test Prep Champions’ Adult Education/GED Test News Roundup!
5. Two lives changed by education, Florida
 |
| Photo of a beach in Florida by By Averette, CC BY-SA 3.0 |
It’s very short, but still very moving.
The change of environment seems to have really brought out the best in him!
Here’s a great quote about the student from the article:
While in school, he not only earned his diploma, he gained the confidence to get out of his comfort zone.
I won’t spoil the other success story in this article, but it’s definitely worth reading!
This piece by Meek is just the first in a 3 part series that will feature more GED success stories over the next few weeks. I’m really looking forward to reading them!
4. Senator Saviello meets with adult ed directors, Maine
 |
| Photo of Boothbay Harbor, Maine by Ryssby at the English language Wikipedia, CC-BY-SA-3.0 |
Republican Senator Tom Saviello of Maine met with leading educators in the region this week to discuss raising awareness for adult education.
According to the article, Senator Saviello said this:
Adult Education programs offer an important service to the community by providing an affordable way for people to continue their education or acquire new skills.
3. Adult reading program going back to the future, Arizona
 |
| Photo of Monument Valley, Arizona by Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 |
The Camp Verde Adult Reading Program (CVARP) in Verde Valley, Arizona was started back in 1988, and has helped countless adults pass the GED test since.
However, the program is now facing major difficulties with their funding.
Arizona is now requiring adult education programs to apply for competitive grants to get funding.
The problem is that all programs applying for the new grant must serve a minimum of 100 students; CVARP has only enrolled about 60 students since the start of the fiscal year, and thus director Doug Watson didn’t apply for the grant.
When interviewed for the article, Watson expressed optimism, and insists the program will survive.
In Arizona, taxpayers can choose where they want a portion of their tax dollars to be spent; single filers can pick the destination for up to $200, and couples can pick the destination for up to $400.
Douglas is hoping locals tax payers elect to commit some of their tax dollars to CVARP.
Want to help out? CVARP is participating in the upcoming Arizona Gives Day on Tuesday, April 4th! I’ve already pre-schedule a donation, and I’d highly encourage you to consider doing the same!
2. Mortality and morbity in the 21st century
 |
| Photo of Nobel Prize Winner Angus Deaton By Bengt Nyman, CC BY-SA 4.0 |
Nobel prize winning economist Angus Deaton and fellow economist Anne Case–both from Princeton University–released a new work this week that builds on their groundbreaking 2015 study on rising mortality rates for white non-Hispanic Americans in mid-life.
Their new paper titled Mortality and Morbitiy in the 21st century was prepared specifically for the Brookings Panel on Economic Activity, March 23rd – 24th, and is thus not the final version of the paper.
However, what they’ve revealed so far is astounding.
The authors say this trend is extraordinary and unexpected because white non-Hispanic Americans have historically showed nearly continuous improvements in mortality rates- that is until fairly recently.
What’s even more unnerving is the finding that deaths from causes such as suicide and alcohol/opioid addiction induced organ failure have gone way up among poorly educated middle-aged white Americans.
What’s the take home message here?
Generally speaking, more education = a longer life.
The demographic doesn’t matter; improved health benefits and lower mortality rates come with increased education for everyone.
This has been shown in many studies, including this one.
I’d also recommend checking out this article, which talks more about Mortality and Morbitiy in the 21st century, as well as Deaton’s projections about how upcoming policy changes will impact the economy.
I’m calling it now- I predict that once this paper is finalized, it will be very influential in the coming years.
1. If you build yourself, success will come, Illinois
 |
| Photo of The Ohio Rive Bridge, Illinois by Nick Jordan, CC BY 2.0 |
After successfully passing the GED test, 23 year old Eva Sanchez is now enrolled at Sauk Valley Community College in Illinois.
Sanchez is currently working on creating a database to manage the equipment used by Northwestern Illinois Preparedness and Response Coalition!
Sanchez dropped out of high school as a junior because of depression and family issues, but has since gone on to be very successful!
Here’s an inspiring quote from Sanchez:
“It’s never too late to go back, and it’s never too late to recreate yourself.”
Sanchez has always had a passion for taking things apart and putting them back together ever since she was young, and still recalls taking a VCR apart when she was 9. The project she’s undertaking right now is enormous, and requires someone with a very unique drive and skill set.
Sanchez’s story is undoubtedly one of the best education transformation stories I’ve ever hear, and it definitely sounds like she has a bright future ahead of her!
Never forget:
If you build yourself, success will come.
This concludes the Test Prep Champions‘ Adult Education & GED News Roundup for the week of Match 12th – March 18th! Thank you so much for reading it!
Previous posts in this series:
- Adult Education & GED News Roundup – Week of March 12th – March 18th, 2017
- Adult Education and GED News Roundup, Week of March 5th – March 12th, 2017
- GED Test News Roundup – Week of Feb. 26th – March 4th
