Airway Heights library now offering GED classes

After having success at the Cheney Library, the GED and High School 21+ programs are now being offered by the Community Colleges of Spokane at the Airway Heights location on Thursdays from 1 – 5 p.m.

"Spokane Community College is the driver behind offering the GED and High School 21+ programs in Airway Heights," Jane Baker, the communication and development director of Spokane County Library District said. "They perceived a need in the area as the demand for the program at Cheney was successful and that they believe there was room for expansion."

The program has been at the Cheney Library for almost two years now and has had a steady flow of people join on the allotted times during Mondays – Wednesdays from 4 – 8 p.m.

"The Cheney location was so successful and the program said to extend it," Kathy George, a SCC coordinator said. "We wanted to partner for quite some time."

One of the many perks about taking the classes at the library is the cost. It is $25 a quarter, but if students cannot afford that, there is a waiver program that will take care of it. Students also do not have to pay for books. They are only asked to bring a pen or pencil along with paper.

"Another reason these programs are successful at drawing participants is because they take place in a neutral space (library) rather than in a school," Baker said. "It's not uncommon for people who became disenfranchised with education enough to drop out to have a negative association with being in school."

William Dowling has been one of the main instructors for the program, starting back in September.

He first began as a volunteer for the Spokane County Library District and was helping out at the Cheney location, before moving to Airway Heights when the program started at that branch.

"My personal experience with this program has been phenomenal," Dowling said. "I love working with the students because they all have such a strong drive to better themselves by getting their GED."

There is no age limit to participating in the program, but if students are under 16, they need waivers to show up. The instructors will evaluate the high school transcripts to determine if a student should strive for a GED or a high school completion diploma.

The quarters also line up with the SCC schedule, so they last 11 weeks. There is also a summer quarter that begins on July 2 and runs eight weeks until Aug. 23.

"Students who come into my program are usually very unsure of their capability to complete something like their GED, but they quickly find out that getting their GED can be just as fun as it is educational," Dowling said. "The resources and connections we have through the Community Colleges of Spokane are meant to help people achieve their goals and that is exactly what we are here to accomplish."

For more information on how to enroll in the program or for any other questions, call (509) 533-4600.

"Everyone has the capacity to learn, to grow, to expand their horizons," Dowling said. "If you have the determination to see this program through to the end, then come see me at the library and we can start working on your educational journey together."

Grace Pohl can be reached at grace@cheneyfreepress.com.