Adult Basic Education/High School Completion (GED)
For many adults it is the thought of studying and taking tests that keeps them from pursuing a high school equivalency or General Educational Development (GED) diploma. They imagine ‘school’ will be like their last education experience - often a negative situation that caused them to quit.
Taking the first step into a classroom again is scary but most are pleasantly surprised at what awaits them at the Iowa Valley Continuing Education (IVCE) GED classrooms.GED classes are offered at many locations through IVCE. The instructors are caring, experienced and anxious to help each individual. Classes are held at the Education & Training Center, 206 E. Church St., in Marshalltown, in Iowa Falls on the Ellsworth Community College campus, at Iowa Valley Community College Grinnell, and in Tama.
GED classes are structured to help adults at all levels of education, whether they have very little schooling or they just need to finish a class or two. And the bonuses of GED classes are the friendships made while students help each other learn.
Adults aged 17 and older who are no longer enrolled in high school can take Adult Basic Education classes or prepare for the GED tests in a variety of locations throughout Iowa Valley Community College District.
Classes offered include Reading Improvement, Math Refresher, Reading, Basic Writing, Social Studies and Science. In some communities, basic skills instruction is combined with preparation for the GED tests. These tests are given to determine if the person is ready for the official GED test. There is a cost of $100 or payments of $20 per test may be acceptable.
GED classes run year long having four quarters. You can register anytime but there is a $25 quarterly fee plus books if applicable. Students will work at their own pace and there will be instructors to assist with questions.
Class times are as follows:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9 am - Noon
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 5 - 8 pm
Note: "Persons seeking to meet the Iowa High School Equivalency Diploma requirements should be aware of companies that claim to offer the Test of General Educational Development (GED) over the Internet or through correspondence courses. There are no on-line correspondence testing programs recognized by the General Educational Development Testing Service (GEDTS) of the American Council on Education (ACE). Persons can only take the Official GED Test Battery at an approved Iowa GED test center. The only way to receive an Iowa High School Equivalency Diploma is to successfully pass the Official GED Test Battery by Iowa state standards. The current Iowa state standard is to achieve a minimum standard score of 410 on each of the five Official GED Test Battery subtests and an overall standard score average of 450."
There is a $100 fee for GED testing.
The Education & Training Center Business Hours are as follows:
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday - 8 am - 8 pm
Tuesdays - 8 am - 4:30 pm
Fridays - 8 am to Noon
For more information about Adult Basic Education, GED tests, or the IVCE Learning Centers contact the Education and Training Center, at 641-754-1348 or email them to ivetc@iavalley.edu.