The Education Exchange
Stedman Government Center, Room 214
4808 Tower Hill Rd
Wakefield, RI 02879 401.783.0293
High School Equivalency Programs
ASEAdvanced Secondary Education Higher level proficiency in Language, Mathematics, and Life Skills.
ASE prepares students to take the National General Educational Development (GED) test through enhancing skills in mathematics, reading, and composition.
Students entering the Education Exchange are given a pre-test to assess their level of skills in mathematics and reading. Once provided instruction, students are then given the Official Practice Test (OPT), and if needed are provided additional instruction. Once qualified (with a passing grade on the pre-test) students are offered a seat at the next scheduled GED test.
Because the Education Exchange is a certified GED testing facility, qualified students can prepare for and take the GED test in a program designed to accelerate the student through the GED process.
GED General Educational Development A test based alternative to a high school diploma
The General Educational Development (GED) test is designed for people who, for various reasons, did not graduate from high school but want a certificate equivalent to the traditional high school diploma. The GED is the equivalent of a high school diploma.
A certificate is given for the completion of the Tests of General Educational Development (GED), a series of five tests. The examination tests knowledge in five subject areas: Language Arts which include tests in Writing and Reading; Mathematics, Science; and Social Studies.
There are many advantages to earning a GED; meeting personal goals, entering college or a vocational school, obtaining employment, obtaining a better job, enhancing chances for a raise in pay and/or more responsibility on the job.
The staff of the Education Exchange can help you with GED preparation classes and whether you will need to study for all the tests, or whether you should spend time brushing up in just a few areas. To help determine where you need the most help and to assess your general skill level, you will be required to take a pretest in math and reading.
Once you have brushed up on your skills you can take the GED Official Practice Tests (OPT) to determine your readiness for taking the National GED test. As an official GED testing center, the Education Exchange requires the candidates to take an Official Practice Test to assess the individual’s ability to pass the GED test. The OPT is a short version of the official GED test and is a reliable measure of your ability to take the GED test and receive a passing grade.
Those qualified will be offered seats at the next scheduled GED test held at the Stedman Government Center, 4808 Tower Hill Road, in Wakefield, Rhode Island.
GED – FAST TRACK enables a student to accelerate the GED preparation process for qualified students
and ensures that qualified students have the opportunity to exceed on the GED test.
All students participating in the GED – FAST TRACK program must meet the following prerequisites:
1. Student has registered with the Education Exchange.
2. Student has taken a CASAS pre-test in reading and math
3. Student participates in a class to enhance their skills and attends every class.
4. Student takes the Official Practice Test (OPT) in three areas including writing and math.
5. Student will be given a test date upon passing the OPT. In the interim, the student continues attending all classes to ensure the greatest possible chances of success.
6. Before taking the GED, student takes a post test as prescribed by the State.
The External Diploma Program
The External Diploma Program (EDP) provides a unique way for adults to earn a high school diploma. The program allows adults to demonstrate their high school level skills by applying their life experiences in real-life situations. EDP is not a traditional instruction program. Participants are expected to demonstrate their skills and knowledge, this is not a test-driven program.
The program consists of two phases: a Diagnostic Phase and an Assessment Phase
In the Diagnostic Phase a trained EDP advisor conducts a series of evaluations of the adult's basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, as well as entry-level job skills. The applicant then receives an analysis that shows which skills require upgrading. In the Assessment Phase the adult learner works with a trained EDP assessor to demonstrate 65 competencies in a series of simulations of realistic tasks, such as finding a job or exploring economics and global interdependence. In this phase the adult also demonstrates an individualized competency by verifying occupational or specialized skills. This is done through an employer evaluation or a performance demonstration in front of a community expert in the specialized field. Advanced academic assessment or completion of training programs also can serve as individualized competency demonstration. Once these and the 65 competencies are demonstrated with 100 percent mastery and reviewed by another assessment specialist, the local or state school board awards a traditional high school diploma.
The Assessment Phase also requires that each participant satisfy an individualized competency. This is verified through an assessment in one of the following: occupational/vocational competencies, specialized competencies or advanced academic competency.
Once the EDP participant has satisfied all Assessment Phase requirements, the high school diploma is awarded
“User friendly" the EDP attracts a different population from that currently served in other existing programs, owing largely to: flexibility of time and location , confidentiality, private sessions, ability to work at home, multi-method assessment (oral, written, performance), credit for work and life experience, continuous feedback, and opportunity to direct their own learning.
Distance Learning
Distance Learning is an in-home, computer-assisted learning experience where there are monitored work assignments and weekly appointments required.
Many students who have transportation problems, childcare situations, employment considerations, or other issues which do not allow them to attend scheduled classes may use the Distance Learning option.
The student has access to the educational software, Skills Tutor 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The learning experience is self-paced and one-on-one instructor sessions provide valuable guidance to the student.
With Skills Tutor, instructors are able to monitor the time, content, progress, and effort from the student’s learning sessions. In addition to online sessions, the student is required to meet with the instructor for one hour each week to assess progress and receive feedback.
Each student enrolled in Distance Learning, takes an assessment test, and identifies their goals, must have a valid reason for wanting to take a distance learning course, and work a minimum of six hours per week on their lessons. Students will also be required to meet with their instructor/teacher for one hour each week to discuss their lessons, problems, and progress.
Studies have identified successful distance learners having certain qualities: do just as well, if not better, without people looking over their shoulders, never (or at least rarely) procrastinate, have good reading comprehension skills, can resist constant distractions, and feel all right about missing the social elements of traditional schools.
Diploma Plus
The Diploma Plus Program is designed to assist students for whom participation in a traditional high school program is a problem. It is a competency-based adult high school program that allows in-school at-risk students and high school dropouts to pursue academic credit in order to complete their high school diploma.
The Diploma Plus Program offers students the opportunity to earn high school academic credit based upon the demonstration of competencies. In addition, adult dropouts and youth unable to return to high school because of job, social or family reasons can pursue a high school diploma rather than a GED.
Adult students; students at risk of dropping out of high school because of medical, or social concerns; students who have enrolled late in the academic year; students who need more flexibility in scheduling due to job or family responsibilities; students who have fallen behind academically; and those who are willing to commit additional study time to make up failed course work may all be candidates for enrollment.
Diploma Plus is operated by the Education Exchange under agreement with the high schools of individual school districts. Instruction can occur at Education Exchange facilities in Wakefield, the individual schools, and other mutually agreed upon locations throughout the county. Daytime and evening hours can be made available to students. The program will be staffed with RI certified teachers on the faculty of Education Exchange.
High school students seeking concurrent enrollment must be approved by the appropriate authorities at their school and the Executive Director of the Education Exchange or a designated representative.
Transitions to College
A Transition to College Program is offered periodically to assist students in making a successful transition to two-year or four-year colleges after attaining their high school equivalency.
Often learners who have attained their high school equivalency are not prepared fully to make the transition to a post secondary academic environment. In many instances, this lack of preparation is responsible for students feeling overwhelmed and discouraged in their first year of college.
Preparation in the Transitions to College Program includes practices in lifelong learning, building skills, learning effective organizational and time management skills, understanding the contrasts between the high school and college environments, review of problem solving techniques, and test taking strategies and skills preparation for entrance examinations and placement tests like the Accu-placer.
Learners are given the opportunity to hone their skills in a variety of software programs from basic computer skills to programs such as Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Microsoft Word. This is not essential but may be a fundamental skill needed in many college courses.
