LEWISTOWN — For some, obtaining a GED can be a life-changing experience.

Such was the case for Lewistown resident Taylor Haines, who said taking the GED, or General Education Development test, gave her the “boost” she needed to work her way toward becoming a certified nursing assistant.

Haines is now working her way toward becoming a licensed practical nurse.

After dropping out of Lewistown High School in 10th grade, and having “a bit of a rocky life” leading up to adulthood, Haines says she was grateful to have found PA CareerLink Mifflin County, which she says helped her launch her career.

Haines obtained her GED in November 2014.

Currently employed at United Cerebral Palsy, where she has worked for three years, Haines said obtaining her GED was a “game changer” for her.

“I would not have the job that I have now,” she said. “I love my job.”

Currently, Haines is taking online classes at Colorado Technical University and plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice/Human Services to work with juveniles and adults as a counselor.

“I would not be able to be in college if I hadn’t gotten by GED,” she said.

But her experience was not as smooth as she may have initially expected. She said she started by taking math classes through the program when she found out she was pregnant with her now-3-year-old daughter Leann. She said she knew then that “it was time to grow up.”

“When I got pregnant, I realized that I needed to get my life together.”

She said she failed her first math test, but staff encouraged her to persevere.

“They pushed me,” she said. “They told me it was all right. We went through and studied and studied and I finally passed and when I graduated, they threw me a party because I came a very long way.”

“I think it’s a wonderful program. Anyone who dropped out of school should take it. It’s worth it. They’re a lot of help. . .they’re great people.”

Carolyn Kline, an instructor for Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 Community Education and Workforce Service, said that over the last three years, Mifflin County’s agency has served, on average, 150 adult students each year.

Additionally, “in two of the past three years, we have had a 100 percent success rate for those students who have taken all four sections of the GED test,” Kline said.

“Taylor was a special student because she overcame so many obstacles to earn her Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma and become a successful employee, post-secondary student and mother,” Kline said. “For example, she was expecting a baby and she was taking the GED(R) tests. This can be challenging and stressful under the best circumstances. Instead of considering this a barrier to passing the test, she used it as an incentive. Passing the test would allow her to pursue additional education and gain meaningful employment to support her child.”

While participating in the program, Kline said Haines was able to pass her GED test and earn her diploma, get her driver’s license, earn her CNA through Harrisburg Area Community College and gain full time employment.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2016 that the unemployment rate for people with no diploma or GED was also higher, at 7.4 percent, than those with a bachelor’s degree, at 2.7 percent.

Statistics from the American Community Survey, which is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, 11 percent of Mifflin County residents over the age of 18 in grades nine to 12 did not earn a high school diploma, while 6.8 percent of students under ninth grade and over the age of 18 did not earn a diploma.

These numbers were higher than neighboring Centre County, which shows 3.8 percent of 18-year olds in grades nine to 12 have no diploma and 2 percent of 18-year-olds in ninth grade and less.

Statewide, 7.5 percent of 18-year-olds grades nine to 12 did not earn a diploma, and 3.2 percent less than ninth grade.

According to statistics provided by PA Mifflin County CareerLink, children of parents who had not completed high school scored lower in vocabulary assessments than children of parents with a high school degree or equivalent.

According to the ProLiteracy Council, a mother’s level of reading skill is the greatest determinant of her child’s academic success.

The GED program located in PA CareerLink building, participants who pass the GED test are easily connected to workforce programs that can support job placement, post-secondary funding and on the job training.

According to statistic provided by CareerLink, 94 percent of Tuscarora Intermediate 11 students who enter the GED program pass the test and 95 percent entered or retained employment.

Statistics show that 37 percent of students entered post-secondary education.

Kline said the GED program is an excellent option for anyone who was not able to earn a high school diploma, but still wants to obtain meaningful employment.

“Life happens. Sometimes family members get sick and need caretakers or young people go to work to help their parents financially. Once things settle down in a person’s life, our GED prep class lets them get back on track with their educational and career goals,” she said.

According to the American Council on Education, which provides information for the GED Testing Service, those without a high school diploma or GED, on average, make $9,000 less per year than those who do.

“Education is the key to escaping poverty. Once you pass the GED, your earning potential increases by at least 15 percent,” said Dyan Schauer, manager for adult education and special projects with Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 Community Education and Workforce Services.

Those interested in obtaining their GED can contact PA CareerLink Mifflin County or by stopping by the office to schedule an orientation, which are held weekly.

Classes are free and the tests cost $30 each.

At orientation, student can expect to meet with an instructor, complete enrollment paperwork and begin testing. The testing at orientation gives instructors diagnostic information to determine what the student would need to work on to earn their secondary diploma. The student would then work with an instructor to create a class schedule, Kline said.