Calloway County Adult and Family Education provides free educational programs and resources to help students earn their GED or improve basic skills. The orientation outlines the services offered, eligibility requirements, testing process, goals and expectations, schedules, and contact information. Students are encouraged to set specific, measurable goals and commit regular time to achieve educational goals with the support of dedicated instructors.

1. Calloway Co. Adult and Family
Education
Welcome! We are so glad you’re here!
If you have any questions during this
orientation, feel free to ask!

2. Before we get started…
Write these down on a piece of paper….
•Why are you coming to the learning center?
•What 3 questions do you want answered today?

3. Who do we serve?
We serve anyone who
• is 16 and up and is officially withdrawn from
school – if you are 16, 17, or 18 you must get
your official withdrawal form from the last
school you attended. The form must have your
withdrawal date on it or proof that you are not
currently enrolled in the school district in which
you reside with your name, birthdate, and social
security number on school letterhead.
• does not have a high school diploma or GED
• scores 11.9 or lower on any section of the
TABE test (if there is a HS diploma or GED)

4. Program Offerings
• Reading, Math, and Language instruction
• GED/ACT/Compass test prep
• English as a Second Language
• WIA preparation
• Praxis preparation
• WorkKeys testing (to qualify for the National
Readiness Certificate)

5. How much does it cost?
Everything we do here at the learning center is
FREE!!
The GED test costs $60. If you need to retake a
section, the fee is $30 for the Language Arts
Writing, $30 for the Math, and $30 combined for
Science, Social Studies, and Reading. The fee
will not exceed the cost of the original $60.
If you cannot afford the test fee, please discuss
options with Anica.

6. Calloway Co. Adult and Family
Education Staff
Anica Smith June Vander Molen Cathy Elias
Debbie Royal
Kathy Walls

7. What can you expect?
We think it is only fair that you know what you can expect
from us.
A dedicated staff that will…
…keep your best interest in mind.
…be knowledgeable of adult education materials and
options.
…maintain regular contact.
…be knowledgeable of outside services.
…be prepared for class.
…offer professional, courteous service.

8. Basic Rules
• Sign in and out on the computer
• Food and Drinks are allowed in the center – just
be careful and clean up your messes
• Cell phones should be on silent or vibrate –
they are very distracting to you and your fellow
students – if you have to take a call, please go
to the front or outside – remember everyone
around you can hear your conversations
• No tobacco products inside the building
• You must attend regularly in order to achieve
your goals

9. Let’s Set Some Goals
When you learn anything new, it is a good idea to
set a goal for yourself. Why are you here?
Goals need to be specific, realistic, and
positive.
EX: “I will earn my GED within one year.”
“I will solve math story problems within 2 months of attending
adult education.”
“I will write a passing essay by the time I take my Official
Practice Test.”
“ I will refresh the fractions I have forgotten within one week.”
“First say to yourself what you would be, and
then do what you have to do.”
Epictetus, Greek philosopher (50-120 AD)

10. Ponder this.
Here are some questions to help you define your goals.
Take out a sheet of paper and answer each question.
Turn it in to your instructor for your folder.
1. What is your long-term personal goal for this class?
2. How much time are you willing to commit to achieving
this goal?
3. What are some things that you need to learn more about
in order to reach your long-term goals?
4. What employment goals do you have and what do you
need to do to achieve them?
5. Can you identify any things that are getting in your way
of you achieving your goals? (Examples: lack of time,
little family support, fear)

11. Goal Webbing
How will your goals effect the other areas of your life?
Work
Family
My Goals
Community Yourself

12. Lists to Think About
List reasons why you want to List your strengths and skills
work on your education. that will help improve your
education
List ways you think having a List people or relationships that
GED will change your life. will help you earn your GED.

13. Now your goals are concrete!
Dreams are simply wishes floating around in
clouds. Any goal you do not write down is just
a dream.
Goals that are written require action. They must
be done. Commit to your goals and you can
achieve them!

14. Famous GED Graduates
Bill Cosby (Comedian/Actor)
Dave Thomas (Founder of Wendy’s)
Michael J. Fox (Actor/Parkinson’s Advocate)
Waylon Jennings (Country Singer)
John Michael Montgomery (Country Singer)
Mary Lou Retton (Olympic Gold Medalist/Gymnastics)
Ruth Ann Minner (Delaware Lt. Governor)
Ben Nighthorse Campbell (US Senator)
Wally Amos (Famous Amos Cookies)
? Chris Rock (Comedian/Actor)
es you
r pris jobs –g Peter Jennings (News Anchor)
o su their ythin
W h at an d Nicholas Cage (Actor)
ook an do ur min
L c Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead)
o
you u set yo!
t
yo David Bowie (Singer)
Danica Patrick (Indy Race Car Driver)
Mark Wahlberg (Actor)
Richard Carmona (US Surgeon General)

15. Programs to help
• Work and Learn – If you are receiving KTAP and are
volunteering at an agency, you qualify for this paid
experience. It is designed to help you get your education
and receive some pay. Contact Jennifer Etherton at 270-
534-3257
• WIA – After you get your GED, this program can help you
pay for 2 years of college study in an in demand field.
You must meet eligibility requirements. Contact 761-
3903 and ask for Mary.
• Audobon – If you are receiving KTAP and you are
studying for your GED, you may qualify for subsidized or
free childcare. Ask your KTAP case worker about this.

16. What is the process?
• Talk to one of the instructors – tell them what you need.
• Take the TABE test to find out where you are in Reading,
Math, and Language
• Consult with an instructor to set up a schedule
• Come to class and/or study – your instructors will not hold
you back
• Improve on your enrollment tests by retesting on the TABE
• Once you’ve improved significantly, take the Official Practice
Test
• Register to take the GED test on the computer and sign
several pieces of paper. At this time we will discuss GED
test fee payment ($60).
• Go take the test – Remember to Breathe and Relax – one
question at a time!
• Come back to study for the college entrance exam
(Compass or ACT)

17. Community Resources
• Family Resource Centers – If you have a child, you qualify for services
from the resource centers in your school district. They can help with a
variety of noneducational barriers to learning. They also have
information and resources that might be helpful to you.
• Needline – 753-6333
• Angels Clinic – If you are working and uninsured and live in Calloway
County, you can bring your pay stub to Angels Clinic on Poplar Street to
receive a variety of medical and dental care. They are open on
Tuesdays. 759-2223
• Gentry House – Housing for the homeless with families 761-6802
• Housing Authority – 753-5000
• Food Stamp Office – 753-1871
• Domestic Violence – 759-2373
• Four Rivers Behavioral Health – 753-6622
• Career Discovery Center – 761-3903
For these and other resources, check out the Quick Reference Directory for
Calloway County

18. Adult Education is not like regular
school.
We do not give grades!
We help you master skills that you need to be
successful to reach your personal learning goals.
You will not be issued a text book.
You will move through lessons and classes at
your pace.
Your teachers plan for you, personally.
There is more than one way to reach your
educational goals.
Call if you cannot make your scheduled
appointment!

19. TABE? What is it? Why do I have
to take it?
The TABE is the Test of Adult Basic Education.
It comes in 5 different levels and tests reading,
math, and language skills.
Almost everyone in Adult Education will take the
TABE test because it is recognized at the state
and national levels as an approved assessment
of basic skills.
We use the results to determine where you need
to begin your studies, so you won’t have to
study what you already know.

20. Math Anxiety? Here are some
relaxation tips.
Homework tip: If you are doing homework and get
frustrated, walk away for a little while, and then come
back. If you still don’t understand, mark your work and
put it away until you come back and get help. If you do
not finish your homework, come back for your next
appointment anyway!

21. Schedules
We do have schedules of when things are offered.
The schedule not only helps to keep us
organized, but it also helps you to commit
specific time in your life to accomplish your
educational goals.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
9-10:15 Geometry Math Foundations Geometry Math Foundations
Math Sense Math Sense
ESL
10-30- Algebra English Algebra English
11:45 ESL
12-1 Closed Closed Closed Closed
1-4 Open Lab 1:00-8:00 Open Lab Open Lab
Open Lab
5-8 Closed 6:30-8:00 Closed Closed
ESL

22. Several Options for Learning
Small class instruction – You can work with several other
students in a class setting.
Individualized instruction – You can work with an
instructor one-on-one.
Distance learning – You can come in, work with an
instructor, and then take homework home. When you
finish your work, you can come back in, get your
questions answered and get more work.
Online learning – If you have access to high speed internet,
you can use our online program called ITTS.
KET-GED Connections – You can pay your GED test fee of
$60 and send it in to KET. You will receive 3 workbooks
to work through while watching KET GED on TV.
Combination of everything.

23. What are the benefits of
earning a GED?

24. Let’s talk about the GED
The Tests of General Educational Development (GED) are
standardized tests designed to measure learning
outcomes that are generally acquired through the
completion of high school.
Here is a summary of the five sections of the GED:
Section # of Questions Time Limit
Math Part I (Calculator) 25 45 minutes
Math Part II 25 45 minutes
Science 50 80 minutes
Social Studies 50 70 minutes
Lang. Arts Reading 40 65 minutes
Lang. Arts Writing Part I 50 75 minutes
Lang. Arts Writing Part II Essay 45 minutes

25. Scoring
The GED test standard scores range from 200 to
800. A passing score is a minimum of 410 on
each section with a minimum of a 450 average
or a total of 2250 points. However; the better
the score is, the more likely you are to earn
scholarships for college.
200 450 800

26. So, what if I do not pass the tests?
If you pass some sections and not others, you
only have to retake the sections you do not
pass!
You will need to come back to the center, brush
up, and retake the Official Practice Test in the
sections you are retaking.
We will help you sign up with a test site and each
section you retake will cost $30 for Math, $30
for Writing and $30 for Science, Social Studies,
and Reading combined.

27. Where do you go to take the GED
test?
We work with 3 GED test sites in our area.
• West KY Community and Technical College in
Paducah
• Hopkinsville Community College in Hopkinsville
• Caldwell Co. School Board Office in Princeton
Each site is approximately 50 miles away, so
we do have $10 gas cards to help out.
These are available until funds run out.

28. How long will this take me?
There is no easy answer. It depends on the
following questions:
What are your goals?
What are your skills?
How motivated are you?
How much time can you devote to this?
How do you learn?
The only answer we can give you is that it is
different for each person.

29. Life after the GED
• The GED qualifies you for more job opportunities. Go
and fill out all those applications!
• If you want to go to college, fill out the FAFSA online
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
• Look up the school you want to attend and find out
enrollment procedures, deadlines, and fees.
• Check out the book Adults Returning to School to see
what advice the KHEAA gives you. (It’s available here.)
• Fill out a career interest survey. A good one is available
at www.livecareer.com
• Begin studying for your college entrance exams, either
the COMPASS or the ACT. Sign up for the test!
www.act.org

30. Can I get into college with the
GED?
YES!!!!
The GED certificate is accepted by about 98% of
U.S. colleges and universities. GED graduates
are also eligible for most federal financial aid
programs provided they meet other criteria.
It is VERY important that GED graduates take the
ACT test right after earning the GED.

31. Show Respect
• Value yourself. Be honest and ethical, and
practice strong moral values.
• Treat all members of the learning center and all
visitors with politeness and respect.
• Honor the ideas and opinions of others.
• Offer to help.
• Be responsible with property and belongings.

32. Negative Influences
• If you have taken drugs or drank heavily in the
past, it will impact your learning! It will take
time to rebuild your brain for learning, but you
can do it.
• We do not allow drugs or alcohol on site – we
don’t want it or need it!
• Smoking and tobacco products must be used
outside. Please use the ash tray outside for
your used cigarettes – we have to pick it up with
our fingers and we don’t like to do that. Thank
you!

33. This is your time!
• VERY Important! If something is not working
for you, please let us know. We do not want
you leaving here frustrated or let down. Talk to
us if you have a problem here or at home. We
might be able to help.
• Call if you can’t make your scheduled
appointment. That way we know what is going
on and we won’t worry.
• Scheduled appointments work best. We plan
for your session, so if you just drop in, we might
not be able to help you.

34. Contact Information
Calloway County Adult and Family Education
Anica Smith, Coordinator
Phone: 759-5525
Fax: 759-9985
Email: alsmith@murray-ky.net
Supervisor
Susan Jackson
Director WKEC Adult Ed. Consortium
809-6872
Susan.jackson@wkec.org