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SCC Prepares for GED Spike

Southeastern Community College is preparing for a spike in people trying to earn their high school equivalency diploma though the college.

The Iowa Department of Education says on January 2, the GED will be replaced by the High School Equivalancy Test (HiSET).

So any progress someone has made on the GED over the last 11 years would not carry over.

That is why Iowa residents are being encouraged to complete their diplomas as soon as possible.

Teresa Garcia is the Dean of SCC’s Keokuk campus.  She says additional testing dates will be offered in anticipation, along with the mandatory preparation classes.

"Particularly in math, where we are scheduling some, what we call, GED Math Academies," says Garcia.  "It is intense instruction in math because that tends to be the most difficult subject for students to pass."

Garcia says the preparation classes are offered through SCC in Keokuk, West Burlington, Fort Madison, Mount Pleasant, and two correctional facilities.

The last testing date is currently scheduled for Dec. 13.

SCC says about 1,200 people could be affected by the change.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.