Fast Track Assisted IVCC’s Cinda Varney
The Fast Track proved to be the right track for Tonica resident Cinda Varney.
Varney had encountered many barriers related to not having a high school diploma or GED. Her experience had been one of rejection, dead-end and low paying jobs. Because of her lack of education, there were very few jobs for which she was qualified.
The 32-year-old single mother of two became tired of the public aid routine, but oftentimes felt that there was no way out.
On June 16 Varney started attending General Education Development classes in the Adult Center.
"I came back (to school) because I don’t want to be on welfare forever," Varney said. "I want a better life for my kids -- well, not just for my kids but for myself too."
Two months later, as a result of signing up for the Fast Track program, she had earned her GED and was enrolled in IVCC’s one-year certificate program in Office Systems Management.
"I can’t believe I finally have a high school education," Varney said.
English instructor Kaushalya Jagasia, who teaches one of the classes in which Varney is enrolled this semester, said, "I saw her when she came to take her placement test (for freshman composition), and she was so excited about having passed her GED."
Cindy Lock, a job skills training teacher in the Adult Center, explained that Varney’s first success was passing the Constitution test within a few weeks after she enrolled in GED classes.
It wasn’t long until GED instructor Deb Crask suggested that Varney try the Fast Track because of her high reading level, revealed through the TABE test given at the time she enrolled at the Center. The Fast Track program, new this year, requires students to have a minimum of tenth grade reading level.
Offered on Saturdays, Fast Track is an all day class that provides four hours of instruction and two parts of the GED testing. Test portions available through Fast Track are Constitution, Social Studies, Science and Literature. This program is the first in this area to offer instruction immediately prior to GED testing.
Lock said, "To some students, taking the entire GED is an overwhelming thought, but taking two tests and having a teacher there makes it more manageable."
Acting on the GED instructor’s advice, Varney signed up for Fast Track, took the Fast Track instruction and tests on July 25 and Aug. 8, and passed all of the tests.
"If I had to do it all over again, I’d do it the same way," Varney said. "For anybody who’s been out of school for a length of time, it’s (Fast Track) better because you have an instructor who comes in and helps you before you take the test.
"I have test anxiety, and it was great for me," Varney said. "You have time to calm yourself down. You can learn about the test just before you take the test."
After passing the Fast Track tests, all she had to do to earn her GED was finish the Math, Writing Skills and Essay portions of the testing. She wasted no time getting an appointment for those sections through the Assessment Center.
Lock pointed out that Varney was ready for the rest of the testing because her confidence was up. Helping students gain confidence is one of the goals of the Fast Track program..
On Aug. 15, Varney passed the remaining portions of the GED test with an above average score. She was on her way up.
11/19/98 the Apache