Winter 2025 Newsletter

 

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Summer 2024 Happenings

 

GED Ends in Canada

Guelph, ON, April 25, 2024 /Press Release/ -- Reflections on the ending of the GED in Canada

In any robust education system we need a variety of options to meet the multiple needs, challenges, life situations and goal paths of all learners. 

The GED credential was created as a second chance high school equivalency opportunity for adults who needed an alternative to the traditional JK-12 system. Last year TVO ILC, Ontario’s sole provider of the General Educational Development (GED) testing, announced that the GED test will no longer be available in Canada.

Adults choose to complete their high school or GED later in life for many reasons. Not having one’s high school remains a significant barrier to employment, or to being accepted into an apprenticeship program. For many adults, it is something that always bothers them. They may carry trauma and regret related to earlier learning experiences. They may want to complete their high school to feel the satisfaction and pride of accomplishing an important personal goal. They may view it as being a good role model to their children.

The GED was an excellent alternative for some individuals who found a more traditional classroom environment and course structure challenging. It appealed to some younger people who left high school with few credits, and who didn’t yet qualify for the Prior Learning Assessment Recognition credits (‘PLARS’) that many older adults returning to high school are awarded. This meant that the GED could sometimes be a faster and more direct route for people seeking a high school equivalency credential.

Until very recently, community based literacy programs like Action Read in Guelph provided GED support through both small groups and one-to-one tutoring.  The GED was not as time bound or heavily structured as high school courses. This made the GED a particularly appealing and effective option to learners who are juggling multiple jobs and family obligations, who have the capacity to be self-directed, or for learners who need more intensive and or customized support, such as individuals with social anxiety or with a learning disability.

In terms of options, UGDSB Continuing Education is an excellent program for some adults. Continuing Education can offer PLARS credits so that adults can fast-track getting their diploma. They offer a variety of high quality instructors and classes, during the day and evening. Courses are very structured and time-bound, which can be helpful for many leaners.

That said, not having an alternative to the GED leaves a significant gap and barrier for some adult learners. A few provinces have announced that they are replacing the GED with a new program called the ‘Canadian Adult Education Credential’. To date, Ontario has not announced any such program.

It is my sincere hope that the province will offer a well-supported and publicized replacement to the GED in the coming months. In the meantime, Action Read will continue to provide free programs to adults who need a boost in meeting their other literacy, numeracy, employability and digital literacy goals.

Mira Clarke, Executive Director

Spring 2024 Newsletter

 

Winter 2024 Newsletter

 

Sharing Experience, Inspiring Others

Action Read learner Carl Nigro struggled with dyslexia for much of his life. Thanks to his hard work and determination, and the help of tutors and staff, he is successfully working to overcome his reading challenges. Check out the article by Mark Pare in Guelph Today here:  https://www.guelphtoday.com/voices/guelph-man-looks-to-inspire-others-on-literacy-journey-7429652, or read the article below.

Carl Nigro, August 2023 Photo: Guelph Today

It's 6 a.m., and Carl Nigro's up and about, reading a tale from his latest novel.

It wasn't always like this for the 60-year-old, who overcame his obstacles with dyslexia to reach this point in his literacy journey.

"Most of the time, I felt as if I was sitting on the edge," he said.

Growing up, Nigro admits he felt ashamed, nervous, shy and unworthy. He couldn't fathom picking up a book.

He was placed in special education in high school because he was labelled a slow learner. Nigro rushed through assignments out of fear of being the last one out the door because he didn't want to be known as "slow or stupid."

Nigro didn't graduate high school, skipped classes, and turned to drugs and alcohol.

His father, a cash crop farmer, didn't mind him cutting school. Nigro said it was thought he would just work on the farm, and didn't need school. His mother, on the other hand, wanted him in school.

"I have always been a hard worker, and as I got older, having a family put everything into perspective," Nigro said. "I forgot the days of getting into trouble with drugs and alcohol because I needed to focus on the future, which meant building my home and my life with my wife, our sons and our daughter."

Turning to his adult life, Nigro said he worked small jobs, and ended up at a Guelph open mine pit for nine years, before it shut down.

He landed a job at Dufferin Aggregates in Aberfoyle, and climbed the corporate ladder.

"I became a lead hand, and then I had to do regular notes," Nigro said. "I struggled with notes, so my wife suggested (going to Action Read, a community literacy centre in Guelph)."

He first sought the help in the late 1990's, and has steadily increased his literacy.

When he became supervisor, Nigro said that's when he really needed to have his reading, writing and computer skills improve.

"Now, I can read well," he said. "Not perfect, but it's a lot better than where I was before, where I wouldn't even read a book."

Now, Nigro said he can read 400-page novels with very little difficulty.

"I wouldn't say it was easy," he admits. "It was a struggle for me, but overall it was comfortable. I made myself comfortable."

It's also gotten Nigro more comfortable as a public speaker.

But he admits communication skills are something he wants to continue working on.

"I struggled with that all my life," he said. "(I felt) excited, anxious but overall my whole life, it's been a great journey.

"I retired at the age of 60 and I'm enjoying life."

It's giving him time to read, take trips and Nigro has also been asked by Action Read to host a few talks with classes to discuss his journey, and lend some tips to others wanting to improve their literacy.

As for him, Nigro reads every morning and evening, and has gotten through 17 books.

From James Patterson novels, to more recently the book Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese, he's found himself enjoying the pastime.

And Nigro's looking ahead to reading even larger books.

"It's all about exercising your mind, keeping it active," he said, adding it's something he's more attuned with as he's gotten older.

"If you don't use it, you lose it."

So with the knowledge Nigro carries now, what would he tell his younger self?

"Even though you struggle with reading, writing and communicating with other people, it's a tough journey to start," he said.

"But it's something that you shouldn't be shy of. Get involved in it, make it happen."

Literacy, Why It Matters

Action Read is a member of Community Literacy of Ontario (CLO) - a network of over 100 community-based Literacy and Basic Skills agencies located in communities across the province.

CLO created this useful tool to highlight why literacy is a critical issue in Ontario, and why Literacy and Basic Skills Programs are so important to the well-being of our society.

In-Person Family Literacy is BACK!

 

The Twelve Days of ...Literacy!

Happy Holidays.

Day 1

Curl up, lie down, or exercise on a stationary bike - with a good book of course!

Day 2

Collect favourite family recipes. Ask people to share a story about making or eating the recipe. Assemble in a booklet and give as a gift.

Day 3

Dust off that karaoke machine, pull up a karaoke site on the internet, or simply sing songs together with family or friends.

Day 4

Show kids how to measure by cooking. Your job? Quality control!

Day 5 

Gather stories from family and friends of favourite holiday memories.

Day 6

Create a list of books you want to read. Ditch the notion that you only need to read “important” books. Reading for pleasure is grounding and calming, and that is something we ALL deserve!

Day 7

Watch a foreign film or TV series. It's fun to hear other languages, and it can be a great way to “travel” to other cultures.

Day 8

Create community through literacy. Become an Action Read volunteer. Read a book with a friend, and meet to discuss it. Join a book or poetry club, the Guelph Storytelling Guild, as screenwriting class, or participate in a Vocamus Writers Community event.

Day 9

Recommend a book for Action Read’s 2022 'One Book One Community' Project. Join the conversation about an uplifting Canadian book that broadens our understanding of a current issue.

Day 10

Get inspired by spending time at a local bookstore.

Day 11

Try your hand at calligraphy.

Day 12

Learn more about the impact of Action Read’s work in 2020-2021 here:

https://www.actionread.com/story/2020-2021-annual-report/