UB’s Educational Opportunity Center rallies support for students needing high school equivalency

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Representatives from a variety of community-based organizations will explain New York State’s new high school equivalency test and how best to prepare students for it at a regional forum from 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at the University at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center, 555 Ellicott St.

The state’s new high school equivalency test – called the Test Assessing Secondary Completion or TASC – replaced the General Educational Development test in January 2014. About 10 percent of residents 25 years or older in Erie County and 19 percent in the City of Buffalo do not have a high school diploma.

“Since January 2014, when the New York State TASC replaced the GED as the official test for earning a New York State high school equivalency diploma, the number of people in Western New York taking the exam has declined,” said Julius Gregg Adams, executive director of the UB EOC.

To answer this need, the UB EOC convened a diverse group of educators and community-based organizations called the Western New York High School Equivalency Community Task Force. The group, which consists of community-based organizations, faith communities, human service agencies and grassroots organizations available to provide information about the state’s new TASC exam, has set a goal to increase the number of prepared and successful TASC exam-takers in this region.

The Sept. 9 forum will discuss the New York State TASC exam and review available adult education resources. The forum also will explore ways these groups can help those without a diploma fill a gap that could prevent them from finding jobs or continuing their education.

“We believe this knowledge will help increase the number of prepared and successful exam-takers in our region,” Adams said.

Providers of adult education services will have staff available at the Sept. 9 event with information on individual organizations’ services.  They will discuss high school equivalency and provide information to better inform these agencies on how they can better serve those who need to pass the TASC exam.

Registration is required. Visit the UB Educational Opportunity Center website at www.eoc.buffalo.edu for registration information. For more information, contact Roscoe Garner at rgarner@buffalo.edu or call 716-645-1909.