Today’s Kokomo, Ind., Herald Tribune includes a story about the recent graduation ceremony for students who recently completed the TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion) at nearby Miami Correctional Facility. The high school equivalency program is administered by Grace College. Below is a portion of the story. Click here for the complete article.
MCF holds graduation ceremony for 98 offenders
Miami Correctional Facility held a graduation ceremony for offenders who recently completed the TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion), formerly known as the General Education Degree (GED).
TASC is the new high school equivalency test that took the place of the GED in January 2014. Also celebrating were 16 additional offenders who completed their College Correspondence courses.
Currently Grace Community Education at Miami Correctional Facility teaches 434 students, which includes 283 ABE(Adult Basic Education)/TASC students, 86 Vocational students and 65 college correspondent students. The college also has a PEER Packet Program, where it tutors inmates who have very low TABE (Test Adult Basic Education) scores – with the objective of advancing these individuals into the regular ABE/TASC classes.
The Keynote speaker for the program was Dr. William Katip, president of Grace College. Since Grace has been teaming with MCF, it has had a total of 434 GED/TASC completers and 308 Vocational completers.
In his closing remarks, Dr. John Teevan, executive director of regional education for Grace College, spoke of “Opportunity, Dignity, and Hope” to the offenders. They have the opportunity by taking advantage of the education that is being provided. “Here is your chance to make a better person of yourself.” Teevan noted there is dignity in their choices. The Grace College staff refer to the men as “students, not offenders. We call and talk to them by their name and respect them as individuals.” And with this education comes hope. “Hope for a better life. We hope they will take the things they learn and use them as they move forward in their lives.”
Click here for the complete article.