TVC helps local students with exit exam

Submitted by Scott McCrea
Phone: (907) 455-2857
02/05/04

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Tanana Valley Campus and the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District have partnered together to offer classes and workshops to help local high school students pass the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam (HSGQE).

According to TVC Director Jake Poole, the partnership is a "natural fit" for TVC. "As the community campus of Fairbanks, our responsibility is first and foremost to respond to the needs of the community, and this is a very important need," said Poole. "Helping our young people pass the exam and to give them the tools they need to obtain future educational and career success benefits the entire community, not just the students individually."

The partnership began last fall when TVC offered a three-week mathematics skills course to students that previously had difficulty passing the math portion of the exam. A total of 10 students enrolled in the course, and the instructor was able to specifically tailor the curriculum to meet each student’s needs.

TVC expanded its partnership this spring by offering a five-week mathematics course as well as a five-week reading class. Both classes end the week of Feb. 9, just in time for students to take the HSGQE Feb. 17-19. TVC will also be offering a three-hour workshop on "How to Take a Test" on Feb. 7 or Feb. 14 from 2-5p.m. The workshop covers everything from learning how to manage test anxiety to using test clues to find the answer. According to the instructor, Marjorie Illingworth, the workshop will benefit any student who wants to learn how to succeed at test taking, whether it is the HSGQE or tests they might be taking in college.

"I’m thrilled to expand the great partnerships we already have between TVC and the school district," stated Superintendent of Schools Ann Shortt. "These classes will help students acquire the skills they need, and expose them to a college environment. It’s a win-win situation for everyone."

Poole said that one of the reasons TVC took on the responsibility was because of the fact that it would help high school students become familiar with the opportunities available to them through higher education. "By offering the courses at the Tanana Valley Campus Center, we are getting students out of the high school and into a college classroom," he said. "They are learning from a college instructor, reading a college textbook, and getting a chance to interact with other college students. What this does is give them the self esteem and realization that college can and should play a role in their future."

TVC has limited space available for the upcoming test-taking workshops. There is a $10 fee. For more information or to register, contact Kathy Helfrick at 455-2832 or by email at fnkmh@uaf.edu.