First GED earned in Arlington’s Open Doors program

First GED earned in Arlington’s Open Doors program
GEDThe first General Education Development (GED) certificate has been earned in Arlington Public Schools’ Open Doors Youth Re-Engagement Program. Allie Green completed all four Math, Science, Social Studies and English Language Arts GED tests between December of 2017 and May of 2018 while working almost full time.

Open Doors, which is housed at Weston High School and opened in the fall, is a statewide program that provides education and services to older youth, ages 16-21, who have dropped out of school or are not expected to graduate from high school by the age of 21. It can be a good fit for students who have dropped out of school or who are considering dropping out due to life changes, work or other circumstances. There are more than 40 students in the Open Doors program.

“I had trouble earning my 11th- and 12-grade credits until I found Open Doors,” said Green. “It was the easiest and fastest way for me to earn my GED and a lot of it was done online.”

“The opportunity for Allie to achieve this goal was made possible through our partnership with WorkSource Snohomish County, which provided Allie – and all our other GED students – with access to ResCare Academy, an online GED program which provides personalized learning plans based on student strengths and areas of academic need,” said Renee McArt, Open Doors Case Manager/Instructor. “The program develops lessons and practice opportunities to strengthen students' knowledge and abilities, offers practice tests, and tells students when they are ready to test. I know that preparation really helped Allie feel confident during each official testing session and made her course of study more productive and efficient, which were very important qualities for this busy, determined young woman.”

Green plans to pursue post high school training at a community college or private beauty school as a make-up artist/esthetician.

“There were many phone calls and texts from Renee encouraging Allie to succeed,” said Green’s mother, Tonya James. “I’m so thankful to Renee for never giving up on her.”