By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal

The STAR (Striving to Achieve Results) GED (General Education Diploma) Project is recruiting former students of Lowndes County Public Schools to provide them with another opportunity to earn their GED that includes a monetary incentive.

According to Reginald Crawford, Star Project case officer, to be a part of this “important GED Project,” a student must be between 17 and 21 years of age and want another opportunity to receive a GED.

He said eligible participants will receive incentive payments, and the program is being offered at the Lowndes County Rite Center, which is located at 109 West Lafayette St., Hayneville. Stacey Woodley will be the person in charge, he said.

Lowndes County School Superintendent Dr. Daniel Boyd explained that when students complete 20 hours of class or more per month they will receive payments for first, third, sixth and nine month periods. He said the incentive is $200 per pay period with a $500 payment for completing the program.

Boyd said after the first 20 hours, the payment is $200, after three months and 60 hours cumulatively, the student will receive $200, after sixth months and 120 hours of work toward a GED the student will receive $200 and after nine months and 180 hours the student will receive $200. Once the student completes the program, he or she will receive $500, he said, for a total of $1,300.

Dr. Deann K. Stone, who is STAR Project director and coordinator of special education for Lowndes County Public Schools, said, however, students must be qualified for the project at the Greenville Career Center, located at 117 West Commerce St. in Greenville.

She said the center in Greenville has partnered with the Lowndes County Board of Education to process the students.

Boyd said the Lowndes County Board of Education applied for a grant for the STAR Project through the Alabama Workforce Development Board, which is a subsidiary of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).

Stone said the project actually began last year, which can serve up to 20 students. However, she said participation has since felled off and the school board is recruiting participants now.

Stone said the classes are offered Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 12 noon and Monday through Thursday nights from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
“Our school system is proud to sponsor this particular program,” Boyd said. “It allows us to go beyond the normal K-12 program to help students who have dropped out of school for a number of reasons. This will enable them to earn their GED and hopefully be able to reach their potential.”

Crawford said in Greenville contacts include Career Specialists Janice Grayson or Beth Tolbert.

For more information call Crawford at the Lowndes County Board of Education at 334-548-2121.