Three Project BEAM students in Clinton County have successfully completed their General Educational Development (GED) tests and two of them are now enrolled as students at Somerset Community College.

Jamie Stotts, Amanda Jewell and Paula Johnson all completed their GEDs in late 2011 or early 2012 with the help of Clinton County Adult Education and the Project BEAM program. Shortly after graduating, Johnson and Jewell met their goals of applying to attend Somerset Community College and will begin classes at the SCC Clinton Center in the summer of 2012. All three women are natives of Clinton County.

Project BEAM is funded through a grant to Somerset Community College by the Office of Migrant Education, U.S. Department of Education. It is a High School Equivalency Program (HEP) that assists migrant and seasonal farm workers in obtaining their GED and entering post-secondary education. BEAM stands for “Bringing Education and Achievement to Migrants.”

Since 2001, Project BEAM has helped GED students in Pulaski, Wayne, Clinton, Russell, Casey and McCreary counties. To be eligible for enrollment a student must be at least 16 and have completed 75 days of migrant or seasonal farm work in the past 24 months.

A student may also qualify if their spouse, parent or an immediate family member living in their household has done the qualifying work. Some examples of farm work that qualify include work done with tobacco, livestock, cutting or harvesting trees, feeding farm animals, working in hay or the general repair of farm equipment, fences or barns.

BEAM employees will assist qualified students in one-on-one tutoring to prepare for the GED and all books and study materials are provided free of charge. Instructors are available to meet with students for morning or evening sessions. Study materials are also available in Spanish. One advantage BEAM offers is a monetary stipend for eligible students; the stipend is designed to help the student with transportation and food costs associated with attending classes. For many students this is a great help to meet their needs as they study for the GED.

BEAM will also pay the $65 testing fee for the GED and will pay for up to two re-tests. Instructors are committed to meeting the needs of the students by providing a flexible class schedule and a welcoming atmosphere while they are in class. Students are often taken for enrichment outings such as plays or art exhibits at Somerset Community College to prepare them for college life and provide a cultural experience.

Clinton instructors Jim DeForest and Debbie Grider are experienced teachers who are able to help students with math, writing, reading, science and social studies in order to pass the five pre-tests of the GED.

Once a student has completed the GED, BEAM Director Larry Chaney meets with students to complete the college enrollment and financial aid process. BEAM has had success helping students make the transition from GED study to college coursework. In the ten years of funding, the program has helped over 250 graduates enter post-secondary education.

Project BEAM is located at the Somerset Community College Clinton Center in room 108. For more information, please call the college at 606-387-3236 extension 13728 or e-mail instructors Jim DeForest or Debbie Grider at debbie.grider@kctcs.edu<mailto:debbie.grider@kctcs.edu> or jim.deforrest@kctcs.edu<mailto:jim.deforrest@kctcs.edu>.

Paula Johnson, a Clinton County resident, holds her High School Equivalency Diploma she earned through the help of Project BEAM and Clinton County Adult Education. Johnson is now enrolled as a student at Somerset Community College.