Each year, Literacy Month is celebrated during the month of
September, and this year is no different. For people who want to
improve academically, get a promotion, enroll in a college program,
help children with homework, build self-esteem or more fully
participate in new industries coming to the area, this is the time
to explore Halifax Community College’s (HCC) Literacy Education
Program. In fact, the program is celebrating the college’s 40th
anniversary, Sept. 2-8.
Two components comprise the community college’s Literacy
Education Program—Adult Basic Education (ABE) and General
Educational Development (GED). Goals include providing convenient
and accessible classes, both on and off campus, for adults who need
to improve academically and reducing functional illiteracy by
providing a core curriculum of reading, writing and math skills.
The college has an open-door policy of continuing education for
everyone who has the need and desire to learn. Any adult, 18 years
or older, may enroll in either program. There is no registration fee
for literacy education and classes are open-entry, open-exit.
ABE classes are self-paced and individualized. Students can get
one-on-one tutoring from qualified instructors. Materials are
provided and the schedule is flexible at the on-campus Learning Lab
or at several off-campus sites.
HCC is a licensed GED test center open to those interested in
registering for the exam. The GED exam offers high school
equivalency credentials to individuals who did not obtain a high
school diploma. Five subject areas including language arts/reading,
social studies, science, language arts/writing and mathematics are
tested. The only cost of the program is the exam fee of $7.50.
A minimum score of 410 on each of the five tests and a total
score of 2250 for the entire test is required to earn a GED.
Preparation can be completed at the HCC Learning Lab on the main
campus or at the ABE/GED off-campus sites. Students who successfully
complete the exam are awarded a high school diploma equivalency from
the N.C. State Board of Community Colleges. The GED diploma enables
students to pursue certificate, diploma, and degree programs.
The HCC Literacy Program served about 1,100 people last year
including GED students and those involved in math, reading and/or
writing self-improvement classes. GED graduates numbered 162.
For more details on HCC’s Literacy Education Program, call (252)
536-7235.
