5% of county residents 25 and older do not have high school diploma
BUTLER TWP — Roger Walker dropped out of Butler Area High School when he was in eleventh grade — more than a year away from graduation. Years later, it would take him only about two months to complete his General Educational Development (GED) degree.
Walker entered the adult education and literacy program at Butler County Community College in January and earned his GED by the end of March. The single father said he was initially nervous to return to doing classwork after a long absence, but found the process accessible.
“I dropped out because I had a kid; I wasn't necessarily bad at school,” said Walker, who lives in Butler. “Once I did those preliminary tests, it made me comfortable and confident enough that I knew I could pass.”
Walker, 22, was one of 25 Butler County students who achieved a commonwealth secondary school diploma through BC3’s adult literacy program from July 2021 to June 2022.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, five percent of Butler County residents age 25 and older between 2016 and 2020 had not earned a high school diploma or its equivalent.
More than 50 students dropped out of Butler County’s seven public school districts in the 2020-21 academic year, according to the most recent statistics from the department of education. Reasons can include academic or behavioral problems, providing child care, a dislike of school, running away, being expelled and a need or desire to work.
Barb Gade, grant director of BC3’s adult literacy program, said people have numerous reasons for not completing their general education degrees, and also numerous reasons for deciding to get it later.
“Most of our students are between 20 and 35 to 40 years old,” Gade said. “They have been out of school long enough to realize they need education that is family-sustaining. It may take a little time.”
According to Gade, adult education classes at BC3 begin with a test to see where people are in their needs and education. From there, instructors work in groups and one on one with students to get them to the point where they can pass tests in the four main subjects of language arts, math, science and social studies.
“We've had as few as three or four and as many as 15 in recent years in a particular class,” Gade said. “There is time for group instruction and time to work individually.”
Walker said he went to class twice a week to get ready for the tests, and his proficiency in certain subjects allowed him to move more quickly than average in passing the tests.
“I was always good at social studies, so I didn't need any help getting ready for that test. So instead of taking that class, (the teacher) would work with one student, but I needed more help with science,” Walker said. “That's why I got through things so fast, because I didn't need help with all of it.”
BC3’s free adult literacy courses began Sept. 12 for the online option. In-person classes, offered in four locations on four schedules, began Sept. 13. Gade said the variety of options are meant to accommodate any schedule because many people going for their GED are already working full-time.
“If they want to move faster, we offer distance learning, where they come to class but also get onto platforms to work in specific areas,” Gade said.
Gade said the teachers in the lifelong learning and continuing education department also bring the GED classes into Butler County Prison for its reintegration program. She added that there are a multitude of classes offered under the lifelong learning banner.
“We do have other classes, like essential skills. That is a class where people are trying to maintain an education level and may have social disabilities,” Gade said. “We run (classes in) personal finance, a financial literacy class three times a year. We run computer workshops for people with little or no (computer) skills, and it’s all under lifelong learning and continuing education.”
Gade said many people step up to take classes to get their GEDs in order to get better jobs that require higher degrees. She said many people overcome personal and economic barriers in order to take classes at BC3.
Walker is now taking classes at BC3, aiming to get a degree in business management. He encouraged people who did not graduate high school to try to obtain a GED, because even a GED can lead to better opportunities.
“I think what stops a lot of people from going back is sort of their own mental hurdle of thinking they are not ready,” Walker said. “You’ve just got to go for it and try your best. It was a big personal accomplishment for me, finally getting it done.”
For information or to register, contact the BC3 program office at 724-287-8711, ext. 8350.
