Middle Georgia Technical College

Mayor Donald Walker to Proclaim International Literacy Day in Warner Robins

Warner Robins - Middle Georgia Technical College is among organizations worldwide set to celebrate International Literacy Day on September 8th. To join in the celebration, Mayor Donald S. Walker and the Warner Robins City Council will sign a proclamation designating International Literacy Day in Warner Robins at the September 2nd City Council meeting at the Homer J. Walker Municipal Complex.

According to the International Reading Association, more than 780 million of the world's adults do not know how to read or write. Closer to home, 1.3 million Georgians over the age of 18 do not have a high school diploma or equivalent.

In its role of administering the General Educational Development (GED) tests for Dooly, Houston, Peach, and Pulaski counties, Middle Georgia Technical College is calling attention to the critical need for a fully literate Georgia, as well as to its free local programs and services that prepare Georgians to take and pass GED tests.

In addition to being personally satisfying, continuing a student's education can be financially beneficial. A person with a high school or GED diploma will earn $7,658 more annually than someone without a diploma, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Technical College Systems of Georgia (TCSG), which includes Middle Georgia Technical College, has initiated an awareness campaign encouraging Georgia communities to promote GED testing, including communication with faith-based organizations, civic groups and community service agencies that can help the system recruit candidates for the GED. The messages promote services available to support potential GED test takers, including free local programs that are available through adult learning centers located at the colleges or in the local communities.

"As a state provider of adult education services, MGTC is very excited to join in the celebration of International Literacy Day on September 8," said Brenda Brown, vice president of Adult Education at MGTC. "Our mission is to provide quality education, through quality instructors and staff for the betterment of the citizens in our community. One successful GED completion can impact hundreds through their immediate and extended families, civic organizations, churches, and the community at large. The potential is limitless!"

Persons prepared to take the GED test must first pay a $95 test fee for a battery of five tests, or $19 per individual test. Those who cannot afford the pay the fee may be eligible for financial assistance through a GED scholarship program administered by the TCSG.

Additional information about GED testing is available by calling the Adult Education Department at Middle Georgia Technical College at 478.929.6789 or by logging on to www.middlegatech.edu.

In 2007, more than 84,429 men and women enrolled in Georgia's Adult Education programs overseen by the TCSG. During the past decade, the system's Adult Education office has awarded more than 267,000 GED diplomas.

The GED Testing Program in Georgia is jointly administered by the Technical College System of Georgia's office of Adult Education GED testing service and the GED testing service of the American Council on Education (GEDTS). The GED tests are developed by GEDTS, and the same tests are given in all 50 states. The GED diploma is recognized nationwide and is accepted by more than 95 percent of U.S. employers, colleges and universities.

It addition to its management of adult education and the administration of the GED tests, the Technical College System of Georgia oversees 33 technical colleges throughout the state and manages Quick Start, an economic development incentive for attracting new investment to the state and promoting job creation. In 2007, more than 140, 000 students attended TCSG colleges.