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IMPACT Institute makes soft entrance into community as it takes over adult education

Stephanie Ross, adult education coordinator for IMPACT Institute, sits at her desk in the adult education room at Horace Mann Education Center.
Stephanie Ross, adult education coordinator for IMPACT Institute, sits at her desk in the adult education room at Horace Mann Education Center. Photo by Lauren Winterfeld.

Originally published Feb. 6, 2014.

The IMPACT Institute, of Kendallville, has made a soft entrance into the community, quietly taking over the operation of adult education in Huntington.

The institute is now in charge of the classroom and testing for the Indiana High School Equivalency Exam (formerly the GED) in Huntington County, as of Jan. 1, 2014.

The IMPACT Institute, established more than 40 years ago, administers adult education and offers free adult high school diploma classes in several counties in northeast Indiana.

IMPACT's Adult Basic and Secondary Education Programs are comprised of literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL), Indiana High School Equiv- alency (HSE) Diploma preparation, Secondary Credit and academic upgrading.

These classes are taught in Huntington County at Horace Mann Education Center, in Huntington, and at Heritage Pointe, in Warren.

With the institute's take-over of adult education, a new face is entering the community as well.

Stephanie Ross, adult education coordinator, will take over the duties of Steve Schenkel, current director of adult education, who plans to retire in June 2014.

Ross has held her title with IMPACT for one and a half years, and has been working in education for 16 years as a teacher and guidance counselor.

Ross's influence in Huntington has had a slow start, partially due to inclement weather conditions throughout the month of January.

"We are still making decisions and figuring things out," she notes.

The take-over of the adult education programs was extensively discussed by key players in the corporation, such as Schenkel and Tracey Shafer, Huntington County Community School Corporation superintendent.

"They knew with Steve retiring, the person coming in could not wear as many hats as Steve is trying to wear," explains Ross.

"There were some questions about IMPACT coming in," says Ross, "The reason Steve trusted us is the numbers alone. Out of our consortium we are a top leader, and I think that's why the trust was put in us."

The IMPACT Institute in Kendallville saw 223 earned GEDs in 2013-14, and 316 in 2012-13.

In Huntington County, just 19 individuals earned a GED in 2013-14, after 42 earned a GED in 2012-13.

"We need to increase enrollment... We know there is a need," says Ross, pointing out that in Huntington County 11.8 percent of adults 25 and older - equaling 2,107 citizens - do not have a high school diploma or the equivalent.

Because IMPACT is run out of Kendallville and serves a number of counties in the area, Ross says operating the program will be a joint effort between herself and Deb Brauneller, HSE instructor.

The shift from a local director of adult education comes hand-in-hand with another change to adult education, with the elimination of the GED.

The Indiana High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma is now based on the completion of a comprehensive test developed by CTB/McGraw-Hill instead of the GED tests from GED Testing Services.

The rigor of the test has evolved, and the test is now offered in both paper-and-pen format and computerized format. Within the next few years the paper-and-pen format will disappear.

Ross says IMPACT is "excited to be here and assist.

"It's all about trust. The goal is to provide opportunities for the residents of Huntington County who aren't getting them."

Ross says anyone interested in adult education programs offered by IMPACT should call 1-888-349-0250 extension 251.

"We have that number that is easy to get. It's really a simple process.

"We try to make it simple so the student doesn't have to jump through 500 hoops."

Testing dates in 2014 for the high school equivalency exam and classroom hours are listed online at the HCCSC website, adulted.hccsc.k12.in.us and at IMPACT'S website, impactinstitute.net/ adult_ed.

Complete caption: Stephanie Ross, adult education coordinator for IMPACT Institute, sits at her desk in the adult education room at Horace Mann Education Center. IMPACT has taken over operations for adult education for the Indiana High School Equivalency Test (formerly the GED) in Huntington County.