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Updated: January 3, 2025 @ 2:59 am
Margaret Harrison, an adult education instructor, expressed her amazement at her English as a Second Language students, praising their motivation and determination to learn. From left are Juan, Harrison and Jhonattan.
TRAVIS BLIZZARD
TRAVIS BLIZZARD
Margaret Harrison, an adult education instructor, expressed her amazement at her English as a Second Language students, praising their motivation and determination to learn. From left are Juan, Harrison and Jhonattan.
Greenwood County’s Adult Education Center stands out as a vital resource for adult learners, earning recognition for its commitment to helping individuals become productive citizens through education and opportunity.
The center gives adults who have not met high school diploma requirements the opportunity to earn a General Education Diploma (GED).
Open to individuals 16 and older who have officially withdrawn from school, the center enrolls weekly, with students starting classes after completing their orientation session.
Travis Blizzard, director of the center, said enrollment is flexible, allowing students to join or restart the program at any time.
Students who are 16 are encouraged to enroll the semester they turn 17, as they must be at least 17 to take the GED exam.
The center has been named one of the top 10 programs for high school equivalency diploma competition, achieving the highest number of GEDs awarded.
It also received the Young Adult Program Award, recognizing the top 15 programs in the state for measurable gains among students aged 17 to 21.
Additionally, the center earned a Top 10 College and Career Readiness Award for its high participation and was honored with a Top Enrollment Growth Award in the state.
As of December 2024, the center has served 200 students, solidifying its role as a vital resource for adult education in the community.
The GED program covers four subjects — mathematical reasoning, reasoning through language arts, social studies and science — administered as separate tests.
Students begin with the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) to determine their placement, followed by regular progress evaluations to determine their readiness for the remaining tests.
Classes are self-paced and tailored to individual needs, with flexible morning, evening and hybrid learning options.
“This flexibility allows them to attend as much as they possibly can and maximize their growth,” Blizzard said.
The center also offers adults who previously earned 18 to 22 high school credits the chance to complete their high school diploma, by providing another path to success.
Additionally, the center offers English as a Secondary Language (ESL) classes for foreign-born adults to improve their English proficiency and was recognized as one of five districts to receive an ESL performance award.
Margaret Harrison, adult education instructor, shared her admiration for her ESL students, praising their determination and motivation to learn.
“They’re just amazing,” Harrison said.
Alongside communication skills, students also study geography, history and government.
In addition to educational programs, the center provides opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials like Work Keys and WIN, as well as certifications in Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS) and manufacturing.
“We have folks that already have a GED and their diploma, so they think we’re not a service for them, but we can be a service for them too,” Blizzard said.
Blizzard expressed that the center aims to be a workforce development program designed to help industries with their various needs.
The center stays connected with students through regular check-ins to provide support and address their individual needs.
“When we show that we really care, the students can feel it, and they start to care themselves,” Peggy Cannon, adult education instructor, said.
Partnerships with organizations such as SC Works Upper Savannah further connect students to resources, while MAT TRANS offers transportation assistance to ensure accessibility.
Serving Greenwood and surrounding areas such as Laurens, Abbeville, Donalds and Newberry, the center attracts students who may work in Greenwood and benefit from its flexible scheduling.
Blizzard joined the center in 2021 after working in various roles within District 50 since 1997.
He shared his teaching experience showed him the challenges many children face, reinforcing the importance of giving them a second chance to succeed.
His connection to adult education is also personal, as his father earned his GED and took great pride in his accomplishment.
Despite rising GED exam costs because of increased fees from the testing company, Blizzard said that the center continues to cover both testing and class fees for its students.
The center follows District 50’s modified calendar while also offering a summer program and a condensed schedule during intersession.
Blizzard expressed enthusiasm for the center’s continued growth and thanked the staff, community and students, emphasizing their essential role in its success.
Contact staff writer Mya Atten at 864-943-5644 or email: matten@indexjournal.com.
TRAVIS BLIZZARD
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