The Silent Epidemic is a report concerning the high school dropout epidemic in America. The primary purpose of this report is to approach the dropout problem from a perspective that has not been much considered in past studies - that of the students themselves.

This is a very good article and one that all parents, school personnel, and community members should read.

A growing number of students are not responding to conventional methods of education. Research in the area of high school dropouts indicates that one out of every three high school students leaves school prior to graduating with a high school diploma. 34% of Texas students who start high school do not finish in four years. In 2007 alone, this failure cost Texas taxpayers $377 million. Someone should do something. Someone is!

ResponsiveEd is the largest charter district in the State of Texas, both geographically and in number of campuses. They are currently serving over 3,500 students and have been granted permission by TEA to open 10 new campuses.

We have a campus in Lubbock, Premiere High School, located at 19th St. & W. Loop 289 in the Wayland Plaza, Suite 121. Their phone nimber is (806) 763-1518.

Their innovative, personalized approach to learning is becoming the trademark of their success and a sought after environment for all educational systems.

For more information about Premiere, contact Carol Johnson or Jim Jones at SHS, or call Premier High School. We have information and brochures in our office about Premier, as well as success stories from former students.

A website for you to look at is www.ResponsiveEd.com

Woodward Academy -
1100 Avenue K
Shallowater, Texas 79363
(806) 832-4535, ext. 2814

Premier High School
19th Street & W. Loop 289
Wayland Plaza-Suite 121
Lubbock, Texas
(806) 763-1518

Matthews High School and Evening School
417 N. Akron
Lubbock, Texas 79415
(806) 766-1533
Grades 7-12
(806) 766-1533

Richard Milburn Academy
4902 34th Street
Lubbock, Texas 79410
(806) 740-0811
www.milburnschools.org

South Plains Academy
4008 Avenue R
Lubbock, Texas 79412
(806) 744-0330
www.stdsapi.com

The GED Testing Program, created during World War II for soldiers, has become an impressive education system open to all adults. It tests the ability to think about a variety
of issues in reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies. The tests are available in English, Spanish, French, large-print, audiocassette and Braille.

The GED tests are designed to have life-skills applications and work-place objectives. The tests will have more graphs and interpretations and more writing and analytical problems. The tests are more critical thinking on a higher level.

The math sections will be in two parts, one to be completed with a calculator. The essay portion of the language arts writing sections will have more emphasis on organization and a different scoring scale. The reading section of the language arts will include business-related non-fiction and the science will include the application of principals to everyday issues.

Many junior colleges and community colleges accept people with GEDs. A student with a GED and good grades can transfer to many four-year institutions, depending on the school’s admission requirements.

Many employers say they look at a GED as an equivalent to a high school diploma, especially if they have picked up the requisite training, which is usually offered by a community college or by a branch of the military service.

The importance of having a GED is that it shows a student has the fortitude to complete something. While they did not complete high school, they did go back and complete something, which says a lot about a person.

Each state operates GED through its department of education, maintaining local GED test centers. These centers – and only these centers – are licensed for GED testing. Fees for testing vary, ranging from free to under $150. Practice tests are available.

• Tip 1: Start your GED quest by contacting a test center near you. To locate a center near you, visit www.literacydirectory.org and click on your state for local testing centers.

• Tip 2: Find a nearby adult learning center. To prepare to take the GED tests, you probably want to brush up on likely questions. Adult learning centers provide study material free or at a much lower cost. To find the nearest adult learning center, contact the National Center for Family Literacy at www.famlit.org.

• Tip 3: Don’t get discouraged. Many students pass some sections of the test or need only a few points to pass remaining sections and should not let too much time pass or their scores from the current tests will not count.

• Tip 4: Start with free resources. There are several free websites to help you practice and prepare for testing, and you can visit a local library and check out book(s) that can help you prepare. There are some inexpensive test prep courses online, but at least begin with the free help!




Local Numbers to Call:

Adult Education 766-1540

Region 17 Service Center 281-5756
1601 24th Street
Contact: Bill Gonzales
Office Hours: Mon-Thursday 8-3
Friday 8:30 -12:30


Bridges Learning Center
1601 24th St
Lubbock, TX 79411 - 2219
(806) 762 - 0769
Has 1 desired service
For adults: Study for GED or other high school program
________________________________________
LUBBOCK AREA COALITION FOR LITERACY - LUBBOCK AREA COALITION FOR LITERACY
1306 9th St
Lubbock, TX 79401 - 2798
(806) 747 - 7323
Has 1 desired service
For adults: Study for GED or other high school program
________________________________________
Lubbock Area Coalition for Literacy
1306 9th St
Lubbock, TX 79401 - 2798
(806) 747 - 7323
Has 1 desired service
For adults: Study for GED or other high school program



Free Websites to Help You Prepare:





The following websites have FREE practice tests, questions, and tips that will help you as you prepare for many different kinds of tests:


www.collegefortexans.com
www.testpreview.com
www.schoolsoup.com
www.march2success.com
www.number2.com
www.tea.state.tx.us Click on “Assessment” and then click on “GED”
www.ged.practice.com
www.4tests.com
www.amby.com/GED
www.thebeehive.org
www.steckvaughn.harcourtachieve.com
www.docnmail.com
www.freelinks.com