EAST BRUNSWICK–For more than 15 years, the East Brunswick Public School District has continued to offer free programs helping residents earn their High School diploma or U.S. citizenship.
The East Brunswick Public School District’s Community Programs Department is offering High School Equivalency and Citizenship programs free of charge to all township adults, as well as, surrounding communities, according to a prepared statement from the school district.
Manager of Community Programs Ann Marie Gilbert said, “We are thrilled to be able to continue to offer these programs to not only East Brunswick residents but to residents of our surrounding towns. As a public school district, this allows us to not only service our preschool through 12th-grade students but to extend to the adult community. It is a wonderful opportunity for us to assist these students in achieving their goals.”
For the High School Equivalency Program, Gilbert said that a high school equivalency diploma can be used in the same way as a high school diploma to apply to college or to put on a resume for a job that requires a high school education.
In New Jersey, Gilbert said that someone can earn a high school equivalency diploma by passing a high school equivalency exam. The three major exams are:
- General Educational Development (GED)
- Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC)
- High School Equivalency Test (HiSET)
“For students looking to get into college, we recommend they take the TASC test. For students looking to enter a trade school, we recommend taking the HiSET,” Gilbert said. “For students who have an employer requiring their diploma to stay employed, we recommend taking the GED. Although we are not a testing center, we prepare students for their respective exams.”
The school district is not a testing center but offer preparatory classes, as part of the High School Equivalency Program, to pass the TASC test, according to a prepared statement.
The High School Equivalency Program is currently running and will conclude in May of 2020. Classes are held at 6-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at East Brunswick High School, located at 380 Cranbury Rd, East Brunswick.
The Citizenship Program is also currently running and will conclude in May. Classes are held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 12:30-3 p.m. depending on the class level, on Monday and Wednesday in Meeting Room #3 at the East Brunswick Public Library, located at 2 Jean Walling, Civic Center Dr., East Brunswick.
“Although both sessions are already in session, there are still spots available to join the programs now,” Gilbert said.
While improving their English language skills, Gilbert said that in the Citizenship Program foreign-born adults who seek United States citizenship will prepare for naturalization.
Gilbert said that instruction is offered in American history, civics and American culture. Classroom activities will include practice for the oral exam, writing requirements and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services interview. Information will also be provided about the citizenship process and government forms.
“We have been providing these programs for 17 years, but some staff state they believe it has been for a period of almost 30 years,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert said that participants are only required that they bring a photo ID and if they have a social security number to bring it.
For more information, on both programs call 732-613-6983.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
