GED
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
WINNERS
ANNOUNCED
KDK-Harman
Foundation proudly announced the winners of the inaugural GED
Award of Excellence on October 24, 2007 at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin. A total
of $75,000 was awarded to the top three GED programs in the
Central Texas area.
The first
place winner of the KDK-Harman GED Award of Excellence was Austin Learning Academy of
Austin and received the $35,000
award. The second place
winner was Community
Action, Inc. of San
Marcos and received the $25,000 prize. The third place winner was
The Austin Academy of
Austin and received $15,000. Applications from Central
Texas non-profit agencies were reviewed by an expert panel from
Texas
State University’s Education
Institute through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP)
process.
The goals
of this award are many.
First, is to recognize those GED Programs that successfully
employ innovative strategies that increase the completion of their
students taking GED classes and encourage continuation of
post-secondary education or entry into the workforce. Second is to highlight those
that are demonstrating “best in class” qualities. Third, is to
highlight the need for adult education funding.
As
a culminating event, applicants and other providers of GED
programming were invited to attend a GED Collaborative Learning
Session facilitated by the Texas State University expert panel in
advance of the award ceremony and luncheon. Attendees to the award
ceremony included local politicians, school officials, researchers,
foundations, applicants, and other non-profit agencies providing GED
services. The two key
note speakers were Susan
Clifford-Narvaiz, Mayor of the City of San Marcos,
who has a GED Certificate and Joanie Rethlake, the state director
for adult education.
Janet
Harman, Founder
and President of the KDK-Harman Foundation states, “This award
identifies outstanding adult education programs that are educating
nontraditional students, while at the same time rewarding those who
go above and beyond in the way they instruct GED classes. It is
important to ensure that these students are supported and encouraged
to complete their GED and look at post-secondary and workforce
opportunities, as they are important members of our
community.”
