The Impact of Alternative Education
We need to take the time to consider what we want the future of learning to look like. Since the COVID-19 pandemic many new education options have been brought to light. While the standard public school route may seem beneficial to a young person’s development, I believe that isn’t always the case.
There are many ways to get an education, such as getting a GED or HiSET. There are online learning programs, homeschooling, vocational training programs, and more. All of these options are viable depending on the individual, their skills, and their needs. We need to consider that public schools are not always the best fit for some, and that there are numerous other ways to get a high school credential and beyond.
Public school can be a great place for a child’s development. Having an opportunity to learn amongst other children can be extremely beneficial. The structure of a school day, with scheduled meals, also helps kids develop a routine.
On the other hand, some children really struggle to connect or work with other students. Long classes can be hard for students with issues concentrating or staying still. Public schools typically aim to hold all students to the same expectations, which for some is an extreme disadvantage. Students who take longer to meet their goals, and even students who prefer different learning styles, aren’t often considered in a standard public school approach. Each individual student being assigned the same workload, deadlines, and expectations isn’t always fair. Fairness, in this case, would be treating education as what it is: an individualized experience, unique to each person and how their brain works.
A GED is a general education degree, an alternative to a high school diploma. If you’re someone who is unable to complete high school, or never finished high school, this may be best for you. Not having this credential can make finding a good job a real challenge, and makes furthering your education more difficult.
To take the GED test you have to be at least 16 years old and not currently enrolled in school. The test is broken down into different parts: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. This provides a lot of test takers relief because you can take the tests at different times and at your own pace.
The Literacy Project is a non-profit in western Massachusetts that offers GED and HiSet courses. Executive director Judith Roberts knows the impact of this opportunity herself. “Education has the power to transform lives,” Roberts says “Here at the Literacy Project, we see that every day. We see it in the mother who learns how to advocate for her child, in the laid-off factory worker who retools for a new career, in the high school drop-out who completes her high school education and enrolls in college.”
“I know it firsthand, too: I graduated from college when I was 50 years old, after pursuing my education part-time for 15 years. Education definitely changed my life.”
The Literacy Project has locations in Greenfield, Orange, Amherst, Northampton, and Ware, and now offers online, in-person, and hybrid classes. The organization tries to help people from all walks of life and backgrounds get the education they deserve.
At the Literacy Project you can truly see the difference in environment from a public school classroom. There isn’t as much pressure as there is in typical schooling: instead of grades, you receive feedback. You can take breaks as needed, and move through the work at a pace comfortable to you, Classes also have fewer students than your average classroom. It’s an all around less stress-inducing environment, and is often a good fit for those who struggled in public school.
I myself always had a hard time with school. I was bullied a lot in elementary school, and I suffered from pretty severe depression throughout middle school, so much so that I was at risk of failing. I also experienced a lot of anxiety. I would have a hard time getting up to go to school, and staying present in class. I also had a hard time connecting with my peers.
It was an all-around challenge, every day. In the beginning of my junior year I was struggling with stomach issues, with an undetermined cause, potentially due to stress. I was sick almost every day, and even getting to school in the morning felt impossible. By that October I had missed more than half of my classes.
I was running out of options. I decided to drop out and was looking at other ways to approach my education. That is when I came across the Literacy Project. It was easy for me to get set up and get started in class, and it made me feel motivated and ready to succeed. Within about two months, they had me feeling confident and ready to take my GED test, and they helped me with the process from start to finish.
I’m currently enrolled at Greenfield Community College. I’m extremely thankful to Beth and all those at the Literacy Project who helped me make it to where I am today.
There are many ways to learn and grow. It’s important to consider who the student is, and how they learn. Public schools suit many, but not all. Having access to alternative learning is essential to ensuring everyone is granted their education. Programs like the Literacy Project allow people to be themselves, and to make mistakes they can learn from. Being a part of the Literacy Project has made a huge impact on my life.