Georgia’s top GED graduates named
Annual conference honors outstanding adult student and educator achievements
ATLANTA – The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) recognized the most outstanding GED® graduates of the year at its annual Fall Adult Education Conference awards luncheon on Sept. 27. Three students secured the state’s highest awards for GED® achievement. Numerous educators, volunteers and academic institutions were also honored during the conference, which featured a keynote address by Dr. Earl L. Suttle, Chairman & CEO of Leadership Success International, Inc.
“We celebrate the achievements of these outstanding graduates, who represent thousands of Georgians who have chosen to transform their lives and pursue their GED® diplomas,” said Commissioner Gretchen Corbin. “Their accomplishments are a testament to the hard work of our teachers and administrators as we work together to achieve our goal of a fully literate Georgia.”
The GED® Graduate Outstanding Achievement Award honors a GED® graduate who has made outstanding contributions within their community. This year, the state recognized Rhonda Miller of Central Georgia Technical College, a longtime volunteer at numerous organizations including the Salvation Army and Volunteer Macon. She is employed at the Macon Housing Authority.
Oliver Toby, a 68 year-old graduate from Riverdale, Ga., was recognized as the Golden GED® Graduate of the year, with more than 94.5 hours of instruction through the Clayton County Board of Education Adult Education Program. He earned his GED® diploma in May, 2017.
The Highest Overall GED® Test Scores were achieved by Sabine Margarete Bercher, who attended class and tested at Augusta Technical College. She earned a total score of 737 out of a possible 800 points and qualified for the highest performance levels on three of the four subject areas on the GED® Exam. She is a member of a military family current stationed at Fort. Gordon.
Janice Tarleton, a Test Administrator at Southern Crescent Technical College, was named 2017 GED® Test Administrator of the Year. She has served in Adult Education for over 30 years and has 20 years of experience in testing.
The conference also recognized Georgia Adult Education providers for excellence in overall achievement, enrollment growth, completion success, postsecondary transition, citizenship obtainment, volunteer support and others.
“This gathering is the highlight of the year for Georgia’s adult education community,” said Beverly Smith, TCSG assistant commissioner for adult education. “It’s an honor for us to pay tribute to the hard work and accomplishments of these program directors, instructors, and especially our students. They inspire us all with their passion and commitment.”
The annual conference is a two-day event that brings together nearly 300 adult education and GED® testing professionals, practitioners, administrators, supporters, business and community leaders, volunteers and literacy ambassadors from all over Georgia. The event highlights yearly achievements for adult education and provides further scholastic opportunities for attendees with workshops, luncheons and speakers.
TCSG provides adult education programs that enable adult learners to study for and earn a GED® diploma. In fiscal year 2017, more than 10,000 adults earned their GED® diplomas, a record for Georgia.
About the Technical College System of Georgia
The 22 colleges of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) are Georgia’s top resource for skilled workers. TCSG offers world-class training in 600 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs to students who are trained on state-of-the-art equipment by instructors who are experts in their fields. The system also houses Georgia’s Office of Adult Education, which promotes and provides adult literacy and education programs, including the GED® Testing Program, throughout the state. In addition, TCSG partners with companies through Quick Start, the nation’s top customized workforce training program, and through its individual colleges, who work with local industry to provide workforce and training solutions. For more information, visit www.TCSG.edu.
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Contact: Alison Tyrer
404-670-4408 (m)
Technical College System of Georgia winners, 2017 Fall Adult Education Conference
2017 GED® Graduate Awards
2017 GED® Graduate Outstanding Achievement
Rhonda Miller, Central Georgia Technical College
2017 Golden GED® Graduate of the Year
Oliver Toby, Clayton Co. Board of Education
Highest Overall GED® Test Score Award
Sabine Margarete Bercher, Augusta Technical College
2017 GED® Test Administrator of the Year
Janice Tarleton, Southern Crescent Technical College
2017 Testing Center Awards:
Largest % Increase in GED® Test-takers for FY 2016 to 2017:
For Centers Serving 200-400 Completers: Southern Regional Technical College
For Centers Serving 401-700 Completers: Albany Technical College
For Centers Serving 701+ Completers: Southeastern Technical College
Largest % Growth in GED® Graduates FY16 to FY17:
For Centers Serving 200-400 Completers: North Georgia Technical College
For Centers Serving 401-700 Completers: Albany Technical College
For Centers Serving 701+ Completers: Southeastern Technical College
Certified Literate Community Program 2017 Advocacy Awards
Volunteer Hours
6,720 Volunteer Hours
Bibb County DREAM Team CLCP
Volunteer Tutor Hours in a Single County CLCP
7,826 Volunteer Tutor Hours
Baldwin County CLCP
Volunteer Tutor Hours in a Multiple County CLCP
5,492 Volunteer Tutor Hours
Southwest Regional CLCP
GED Testing Fee Scholarships in a Single County CLCP
132 GED® Testing Fee Scholarships
Monroe County Adult and Community Education
GED Testing Fee Scholarships in a Multiple County CLCP
201 GED® Testing Fee Scholarships
Southwest Regional CLCP
2017 Adult Education Program Awards
Overall Achievement of Measurable Skill Gains
Albany Technical College
Asian American Resource Center
Athens Technical College
Atlanta Public Schools
Augusta Technical College
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Inc.
Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Inc.
Central Georgia Technical College
Gwinnett Technical College
North Georgia Technical College
West Georgia Technical College
Greatest Percentage Growth in NRS Enrollment
International Rescue Committee, Inc.
Atlanta Technical College
Gwinnett Technical College
Highest GED® Completion Percentage
Clayton County Public Schools
Southern Regional Technical College
Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Highest Postsecondary Transition Percentage
Oconee Fall Line Technical College
Greatest Number of Students Awarded Citizenship (SDA and CBO)
Cobb County School District
Asian American Resource Center
Greatest Use of Volunteer Support
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Inc.
North Georgia Technical College
Lanier Technical College
