TSU to begin offering GED testing at Adult Learning Center in Dickson

Residents of Dickson and surrounding counties will not have to drive to Nashville or Columbia to take the GED test after all. Tennessee State University will begin administering the test at the Adult Learning Center at 220 McLemore Street this month. Adult Education Director Phyllis Bradley announced TSU will be giving the test Feb. 16, April 19 and May 22. The Tennessee Technology Center at Dickson stopped serving as a GED testing center in December and Bradley had worried that having to drive to Nashville or elsewhere could prove to be a hardship for residents. After an inspection of the facilities at the former Oakmont Elementary School, TSU agreed to use the center as a satellite testing location. Bradley said the cost of the test will increase from $50 that TTC was charging to $75. The literacy council uses United Way funds to refund $40 to every student who makes the required passing score, lowering the cost to $35. Bradley said a minimum of 15 students are required for each testing date to be held and there is a maximum of 20 students taking the full 5-section test and up to 10 partial testers who have failed certain parts. Students interested in taking the GED test must complete the appropriate paperwork and pay the entire testing fee by money order at least a week prior to the testing date. Bradley said the room approved for testing still has some preparation to go through, as it has been housing the school supplies for the Water Street Church of Christ backpack program. She said those supplies will be moved to the portable classroom that formerly housed the Big Brothers Big Sisters office. Other changes to the room will be required before the first testing date. “We have a lot to do to get the room ready for Feb. 16, but we are so happy there is a solution for our problem,” Bradley said in an email. All five sections of the test will be administered in one session each date. Other dates will be scheduled for the rest of the year. Bradley said the first three dates were set to give students time to take the test before the adult program’s graduation scheduled for June 22. For more information on GED programs, call 446-2114.