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Groves Adult High School Graduation, Seaford, Delaware 6/11/91 [OA 8324] [1]
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s): FOIA Number: S S FOIA MARKER This is not a textual record. This is used as an administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential Library Staff. Record Group/Collection: George H.W. Bush Presidential Records Collection/Office of Origin: Speechwriting, White House Office of Series: Speech File Backup Files Subseries: Chron File, 1989-1993 OA/ID Number: 13759 Folder ID Number: 13759-011 Folder Title: Groves Adult High School Graduation, Seaford, Delaware 6/11/91 [OA 8324][1] Stack: Row: Section: Shelf: Position: G 26 21 4 5 June 6, 1991 MEMORANDUM FOR DAN MCGROARTY FROM: JENNIFER GROSSMAN SUBJECT: GROVES ADULT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION BACKROUND/OVERVIEW On Tuesday, June 11th, POTUS will participate in the Groves Adult High School graduation held at the Seaford High School Auditorium. He arrives by helicopter at 12:30, on to auditorium. Preceding him will be one graduating student speaker, then Governor Castle and/or Superintendent George Frunzi with introductory remarks, then POTUS for 8-10 mins. The President will probably assist in handing out the diplomas given there are only 50 to distribute. Benediction closes Presidential involvement in event. From the student speaker, we are expecting remarks that will highlight: a) how this program has enhanced their parenting skills (Director Frances Tracy-Mumford describes the "double-duty benefits when an adult's education is passed on to the children and even the grandchildren.") NOTE: after reading the bios of various grads, it's striking how many of them emphasize the importance of providing a role- model to their children through getting this degree. b) enhanced their competitiveness in the marketplace c) whether this achievement has inspired them to pursue yet further learning. *** NOTE: These are also points we might want to weave into the President's remarks. The purpose of Groves is to open doors of opportunity for adults and out-of-school youth by enabling them to graduate and improve the quality of their lives. You might highlight the fact that this is not a GED program. Approximately 30 of the graduates already have their GEDs -- they want a regular high school diploma. This is a formal, accredited high school -- the only program of its kind in the country. This is their 27th annual graduation. Recently, the Adult Program at Sussex Tech received the "Delaware Exemplary Adult Education Program Award" from the Dept. of Public Instruction. ***NOTE: While this is a track three event, the uniqueness and innovation of this program highlights other aspects of America 200, namely, finding new means to achieve our education goals. Grads range from 18-48. They attend anywhere from 2 to 4 nights a week. Students are all tested to determine placement. Socially, they're a tight knit group. In part, their cohesion is born of the much wider variety of life's diversities they've all had to endure. While remarks should aim to highlight the particular achievements of these graduates, and laud the innovation, singularity, and success of this adult high school program, this should all be placed in the larger context of America 2000's Track Three: Adult Literacy and Lifelong Learning. Sussex Tech's Adult Program is exemplary of adult literacy initiatives included within the President's America 2000 Education Plan. COLOR/QUOTES 1) Last president to visit Southern Delaware was Warren Harding in 1923. 2) We might want to highlight POTUS's computer lessons, or find a joke therein as TRACK 3 has to do with lifelong learning. 3) "A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us. " --Franz Kafka, Letter to Oskar Pollak, Jan 27, 1904. 4) Secretary of Education Alexander: "Education is not just about making a living, it's about making a life.' well, blow me down. 5) Delaware was the first former colony to accept the Constitution; it was thus the first of the United States. The state's motto is "Liberty and independence." 6) Thomas Jefferson referred to Delaware as " a jewel among the states." 7) "The ideal Delawarean is born in Sussex County " --An Episcopal bishop, quoted by The Federal Writers Project of the WPA. ANECDOTES 1st speaher 1) Vicki Eastburn, 32, will graduate this year. She works at Vlasic Foods full time, has a husband and two children: "I realized how supportive my family is." 2) When Kathy Tucker was 16, she went to work full-tim, got married and raised a child -- she had no other choice but to drop out. She'll be graduating this year, and sees herself as a role model for her three children, ages 8, 10, and 13. 3) Bill Gibbs left school in 1960 after making it to the 19th grade. He pursued and received his G.E.D. while serving his country in the Panama Canal Zone in 1967. When his tour was over he joined the National Guard in '74, and continued to serve until a heart attack in '88 forced him to leave the armed forces. Bill worked at Du Pont, but, unsatisfied with his G.E.D., he enrolled in the Groves Adult High School. He is a family man and has done well raising 6 children ranging in age from 13 to 24. 2nd Speaker. Photocopy-Preservation DELAWARE SMALL WONDER MEMORANDUM TO: Lisa Battaglia DATE: June 2, 1991 RE: PRESIDENT'S GED EVENT IN SEAFORD, DELAWARE The GED event will be held at the Seaford High School in Seaford, Delaware. It is a relatively new high school with colonial architecture. The air conditioned auditorium seats about 600 people in fixed theatre style. on stage A perfect backdrop for the President would be to have the Laurel High School Chorus which totals about 90 high school students. They are an excellent choral group which dresses in white shirts, red jackets and blue skirts and pants, thus giving the President a group of young people in patriotic colors. It is my understanding that the Seaford High School has no chorus and would, therefore, probably not resent bringing in another school group. The Laurel group does patriotic renditions and could entertain the audience while they await the President's arrival. The Delaware schools are closing the 11th and 12th of June, so someone needs to contact the school officials maybe even before the 5th so that you can keep the students intact. If you plan to use a band, I believe you will need to use the Seaford High School band which may not be the best, but it would be an affront to use anyone else. Lee Greenwood appeared at the school. You should know that this is probably the first time that a sitting President has visited downstate Delaware, therefore there will be a great deal of interest from the community. You might want to think about where the President is going to land so that you could sisue tickets for his landing and departure SO the local people can see him. Issue The above are some thoughts that I thought might be interesting and helpful to you for staging this event. BRB/cck J.Tzch Through 9th grade 1 8 162 First Grade through 8th grade 1 1 16 Vocationel-Technicel Schools The Sussex County Vocational School District offers a wide range of progrems in vocational and technical education both for high school age students and for adults et its center neer Georgetown. Also located et the center is the James H. Groves Adult High School progras, which offers regular high school instruction during the evening, ewarding graduates e regular high school diplome. Post High School Instruction: Nursing Schools Beebe Hospital School of Nursing, Lewss, Deleware <A three-year Registered Nurse course of instruction awarding an R.N. certificate to graduates) Delaware Technical & Community College Nursing Curriculum, Georgetown (Del Tech offers both a Licensed Practical Nurse program and an intensive two-year Registered Nurse course awarding en R.N. certificate and an Associate of Science Degree to graduates) Wilmington College, Georgetown (Wilmington College offers = Bechelor of Science, Nursing Degree Program at the Del Tech Southern Campus in Georgatown. It is designed in part to allow present R.N.'s to obtain their B.S.N.) Colleges Delawere Technical & Community College: The Del Tech Southern Campus is located at Georgetown and its Terry Canpus at Dover is some 20 miles north of Sussex County. The college offers en extensive curriculum renging from remedial courses designed to prepare students for college-level work, through a wide range of technical courses of instruction in cosputers, electronics, heavy equipment operation, banking, engineering, construction, architecture, nursing, journalism and many other fields. to adult enrichment courses and ecademic instruction. 10 Public Schools extensive offerings of academic sub- Seaford is a city concerned about its jects. Students can enroll in exploratory future and proud of its past The Seaford courses, in college preparatory courses. School District has been acclaimed as or in career placement programs. There one of the best in the state and is a fine are provisions for independent study and system for the area residents. The plan- for advanced-placement courses. Fur- ning and construction of new learning ther, supplemental instruction for facilities and new programs have kept remediation or for enrichment is offered pace with the expanding needs of the at all grade levels. Those who wish to community. The district is governed by a pursue vocational careers or technical five-member board of education and trades study the academic subjects for Quality operates on an annual budget in excess half a day at the high school and then of $9 million. The student population is travel to the Sussex County Vocational- Education 3,200 with a professional staff of 210. Technical School for vocational instruc- The six schools in the system are the tion. Senior High School (grades 9-12). Middle There is interscholastic competition in School (grades 6-8), Frederick Douglass all major sports. Academic competition. Intermediate School (grades 4-5), Cen- bands, ciass plays, driver education and tral Elementary School (grades 1-3), West art have active participation as well. Seaford Elementary School (grades 1-3), Students are encouraged to participate and Blades Kindergarten. in clubs which are available for aimost Free transportation is provided for all every interest Student activities are high school students who live more than regarded as a vital part of the total two miles from the high school, and for educational program and are used as a all other students who live more than means of developing wholesome at- one mile from their schools. Special titudes and good human relations, as arrangements have been made with the well as knowledge and skills. state to transport some students in areas where there is danger for walkers. Instruction in the Seaford public ERA schools is based on a continuous prog- The Educational Resources Association ress program. each grade level having (ERA) is an agency of the Department of specific goals for the development of Public Instruction that provides a link basic skills. The district has a special between the community and the education program for students of all schools. ages affected by learning disabilities, Utilizing volunteers from the business, mental retardation, social and emotional political and educational communities, maladjustments, physical handicaps and the Educational Resources Association visual and hearing impairments, and provides local elementary, middle and there are special opportunities for the senior high schools with classroom gifted and talented. In addition, there speakers, field trips and arranges career are guidance counselors in all schools. days. Some of ERA's other functions are Each school tries to present a prac- to provide business orientation programs tical, stimulating, and well-balanced for teachers, arrange individual student curriculum. while retaining the special career explorations at business sites for characteristics that maintain individual high school and college students. and identities and develop healthy school coordinate the Delaware Business/In- spirit and community pride dustry/Education Alliance. The high school is accredited by the For more information on ERA, write to Middle States Association of Colleges P.O. Box 1401, Dover. Delaware. and Secondary Schools. and there are 736-4561. The News Journal, Wilmington, Del. Delmarva 2 Laurel High chorus sings for U.S. My HANCY & LYNCH den suid after the group sang. "Too bad September was R little early for us, no who were all in town - about the to. to The Nows Jaymel they can't porform here every day." ho said If he was re-olected we could tunda concert. Under the direction of Penny Denney, come in January. And, of course, lie was The chorus traveled to Washington in 1 week voiced a few notes of The Lourel High School the chorus performed for about 30 min- re-elected two busee. A third, filled with parents utes Tuesday in the rotunda of the Rus. So the chorus has been preparing for and friends, joined the convoy. In Washington where the sell Office Building. its Washington dobut since Suptember. Once in the Capitol, the Laurel stu- <<<< and and U.S. Sonate. the first heard the group last The chorus was invited to Denney said the group sang a "solec- Chorus is ON elective at the 516-pupil dents discovered war in the Persion Gulf tion of patriotic songs appropriate to the high school but moete daily during regu- means increased security in all govern- Sen. Joseph R. Biden, situation in the Persinn Gulf." lar school hours. ment buildings. whine In midressed the school's 94th Dressed in red blazers, white shirts, "Biden wanted US to eing when the All people and their belongings are gradenting Films, black ties and black ekits and pants, Senate was In session. His office gave us subject to security checks. "And there "Mm number in the U.S. Capitol has chorus members also wore red, white and two dates, and Tuesday was better for us. are no more group tours in D.C.," soid been wealth rather sumber over the pust two blue lapel pine with yellow ribbons to We didn't realize the president was giv- Denney. signal support of troops in the war zone. ing his State of the Union message that "It was just amazing how many police- rue the Laurol High School cho. 'After Son, Biden spoke at graduation, night." mon were wround," she said of all cartier plicted of patriotic songs," BI- "It spirits with their accom- he asked us to sing for the Senate in The timing, as it turned out, was per- trip to Washington to dotermine logistics September or January," Denney recaliod. feet. And Biden notified his collengues - for escorting the large group. Friday, Feb. 1. 1991 Section E Senate "I met with Biden's representative. and we walked through it. When you take that many kide, it makes sonse to know where you're going to be." sho added. in Denney has been chorus director at Lawel High since 1881. I The McKean High School graduate remembers her own high notes with the Wilmington school's band, including & 1978 perfor- mance for Princo Charles in London. "When 1 started (in Leurell, there were 12 members in the chorus. Now there are yer 70," said Denney, But shu docen't take credit: She de- tuts to the talents of the her singers the also have performed for Deloware's ieneral Assembly. May 31, 1991 NOTE FOR PEGGY DOOLEY FROM: RAE NELSON Per your request, attached is an article which provides some basic background information on the GED. I realize it is a little old and will try to get more recent information early next week. Some points you may want to include in the President's remarks are: The men and women who have the earned the GED often have succeeded in spite of seemingly significant odds -- personal challenges; juggling family, jobs, and going to school at night; returning to pursue education after devoting time and energy to help out the family. But their commitment, dedication, and accomplish- ments should be an inspiration to any American anywhere who wants to pursue his or her education. The GED exemplifies the diversity that is a hallmark of our education system. The GED is about opening doors to employment, self enrichment -- and, if one chooses, future education. (Peggy -- there are a lot of wonderful stories about GED gradtuates becoming successful in the work world, academia, etc.). Many of these graduates are also parents and will be even more powerful teachers and inspirations to their children. They will pass on the legacy of an appreciation for the value of education and learning and the sense of pride that comes from accomplishment. The GED has worked to improve its standards and ensure that it represents a quality education. (Peggy -- on Monday, the National Education Goals Panel will determine what measures to include in the September 1991 report card to the Nation on progress toward the education goals one of this may include the GED and this may be worth mentioning as a positive thing I'll let you know, if there is interest.) CHANGE TRENDLINES By Carnegie for the Advancement of Teaching The GED: A Growing Alternative Route to Higher Education igh school is not the only route the standard of achievement represent- to postsecondary education. Al- ed by the GED is sufficiently indica- most one of every seven per- tive of a level of performance needed sons who gets a high school-completion for success in higher education. credential does so through the Tests of Our study is based largely on figures General Educational Development, bet- gleaned from the annual reports of the ter known as the GED. Most colleges General Educational Development Test- and universities will accept this creden- ing Service. Though we report here fig- tial as a criterion for admission. ures primarily from 1967 and 1987, our Each state sets its own passing scores analysis examined GED activities at con- for earning the GED. The tests are secutive five-year periods since 1967. normed periodically-most recently in Growth in GED Candidates 1986-by administering them, state by state, to recent high school graduates. The number of people taking the Then, the passing score for GED can- GED tests increased by 247.3 percent didates is usually established in the from 1967 to 1987. This is an annual range of the 27th to 30th percentile of rate of change of 6.4 percent. The fig- the scores attained by regular high ures include all candidates in Canada, school graduates in the particular state. the United States, and U.S. citizens The examination measures general skills living abroad. Most candidates in this in five areas: writing, reading, social country take the examinations through studies, science, and mathematics. the states in which they reside; a smaller It is likely that the GED, already im- number are tested through GED head- portant to a segment of the population quarters at the American Council on that might otherwise be cut off from Education in Washington, D.C. further educational opportunity, will Enormous growth in the GED pro- take on even greater prominence in gram occurred from 1967, our base coming years. More and more second- year, through 1972, with the number of ary school students will come from candidates doubling from 218,386 to backgrounds that traditionally have 430,346 (Table 1). Growth continued to had high drop-out rates. The GED may be strong-but not quite at the earlier be the lever to open the door to higher magnitude-from 1972 to 1982. Then, education for a growing segment of from 1982 to 1987, the number of can- high school students. If this happens, didates declined from 792,132 to 758,367. though, officials of colleges and uni- The most likely explanation for this versities may want to examine whether drop was the decline during the 1970s 35 Change July/August 1989 Table 1 the greatest average annual growth rate. Number of People Tested by GED by State and Rank for Selected Years, Virginia rose from 49th place in 1967, 1967 and 1987 when 200 of its residents sat for the GED, to 14th in 1987, when 15,082 Annual Rate of Change 1967 Virginians were tested. This was an an- 1987 1967 to 1987 N Rank N nual increase of 24.1 percent. Rank Percentage Rank Four other states had double-digit Program Total 218,386 758,367 6.4 growth rates-Wisconsin, Delaware, Canada N/A 19,895 N/A GED Testing Service Arkansas, and Florida. But Delaware 2,880 9,158 6.0 United States 211,387 712,116 6.3 had so few test takers at both the be- Outlying Territories* 4,119 17,198 7.4 ginning and end of the period studied Virginia 200 49 15,082 14 24.1 1 that, despite an average annual growth Wisconsin 1,247 35 15,964 13 13.6 2 Delaware 119 rate of 13.3 percent, it remained in 50 1,439 50 13.3 3 Arkansas 1,325 33 11,981 21 11.6 4 50th place (the District of Columbia is Florida 5,788 11 45,515 3 10.9 5 included in the figures). Among the North Carolina 3,461 21 22,186 7 9.7 6 high-growth states with large numbers Massachusetts 2,070 29 12,992 18 9.6 7 South Dakota 410 47 of test takers, it would be worth trying 2,243 45 8.9 8 Oklahoma 2,034 30 11,195 24 8.8 9 to determine whether public policy Vermont 495 45 2,494 43 8.4 10 measures helped account for rates of Nebraska 943 38 4,725 35 8.4 10 increase that significantly exceeded Hawaii 577 43 2,821 40 8.3 11 those in the rest of the country. Utah 960 37 4,539 36 8.1 12 South Carolina 1,873 32 8,774 28 8.0 13 In terms of absolute numbers of test Ohio 3,881 17 16,954 12 7.6 14 takers, Texas ranked second in 1967, New Hampshire 487 46 2,128 46 7.6 14 when it had 17,747, and first at every New York* 18,211 N/A 75,893 N/A 7.4 N/A 5-year interval thereafter. Most re- North Dakota 378 48 1,516 49 7.2 15 Mississippi 3,352 23 13,454 17 7.2 15 cently, in 1987, Texas had 61,041 test Nevada 699 41 2,787 41 7.2 15 takers, far ahead of second-place Cali- Michigan 7,232 7 28,335 5 7.1 16 fornia, which had 53,418. California Indiana 3,357 22 12,656 19 6.9 17 ranked first in 1967 and second or third Kentucky 6,221 9 23,029 6 6.8 18 Kansas 2,335 27 8,341 30 6.6 19 at each interval since then. Thus, Texas Georgia 5,717 12 20,155 8 6.5 20 and California accounted for the top Texas 17,747 2 61,041 1 6.4 21 two spots throughout the period we Alaska 716 40 2,446 44 6.3 22 studied (Table 1). (Data for New York Montana 793 39 2,663 42 6.3 22 Connecticut 2,030 31 6,712 34 6.2 23 include a duplicate headcount for per- Louisiana 3,544 20 11,605 22 6.1 24 sons who took the test more than once Wyoming 567 44 1,828 47 6.0 25 during the year.) Minnesota 2,659 26 8,495 29 6.0 25 Idaho 1,097 36 3,405 37 5.8 26 Passing the GED Pennsylvania 9,697 3 28,682 4 5.6 27 Maryland 4,384 16 12,366 20 5.3 28 Approximately three-quarters of the Arizona 3,881 18 10,769 25 5.2 29 candidates for the GED pass the exam- Washington 5,191 14 13,875 16 5.0 30 Maine inations, which can be passed section 1,299 34 3,394 38 4.9 31 District of Columbia 664 42 1,709 48 4.8 32 by section at different times during the Colorado 3,827 19 9,422 26 4.6 33 year if the whole test is not passed at lowa 3,161 24 7,656 31 4.5 34 once. The pass rate has steadily risen California 22,549 1 53,418 2 4.4 35 Illinois since 1972, when 67.4 percent of the 8,876 5 20,110 9 4.2 36 Tennessee 7,622 6 17,300 10 4.2 36 test takers ultimately passed all sec- New Mexico 3,053 25 6,895 32 4.2 36 tions and qualified for the certificate Alabama 6,755 8 14,053 15 3.7 37 (Table 2). The figure was 69.7 percent Missouri 5,789 10 11,295 23 3.4 38 in 1977, 73.9 percent in 1982, and 74.1 Oregon 4,936 15 8,976 27 3.0 39 New Jersey 9,528 4 16,987 11 2.9 40 percent in 1987. Rhode Island 2,196 28 2,991 39 1.6 41 South Dakota had the highest aver- West Virginia 5,454 13 6,825 33 1.1 42 age passing rate throughout the 20-year Source: The General Educational Development Testing Service, Washington, D.C. period-90.2 percent. The state had a "Figures for veterans hospitals are included in total for outlying territories in 1967. relatively low number of test takers, *Duplicate headcount data reported for the state of New York does not permit comparison with other states. but the number of GED candidates in South Dakota grew rapidly, and the of young people of high school age. tests, the impact of the decline contin- state had a high average annual growth Because men and women in their 20s ued during the 1980s. rate, 8.9 percent, from 1967 to 1987. are the chief group taking the GED Among the states, Virginia had by far South Dakota ranked first in the per- 36 Change July/August 1989 centage of qualifiers at two of the five Table 2 intervals and fourth twice. The other Percentage of Test Takers Qualifying for the GED Certificate by State time, in 1987, South Dakota slipped to and Rank for Selected Years, 1967 and 1987 14th in the percentage of qualifiers. More than 80 percent of the candi- Average dates qualified for the GED through- Percentage 1967 1987 1967 to 1987 out the 20-year period in 11 other % % states. Most of these states had small Qualified Rank Qualified Rank Percentage Rank populations and low numbers of test takers. One of the largest states with a Program Total 70.0 74.1 high pass rate was Minnesota, in which Canada N/A 76.4 GED Testing Service N/A 84.6 an average of 86 percent of the candi- United States N/A 73.9 dates qualified throughout the period. South Dakota 92.0 1 84.9 14 90.2 1 This ranked Minnesota among the 10 Wyoming 88.0 3 94.6 3 88.9 2 states with the highest percentage of Oregon 81.0 8 96.6 1 88.2 3 Louisiana 89.0 2 84.8 15 87.1 4 qualifiers at four of the five intervals. Minnesota 82.0 7 88.3 11 86.0 5 At the other end of the spectrum, lowa 75.0 14 91.0 7 85.3 6 some states perennially had a low per- North Dakota 84.0 5 93.5 5 84.2 7 centage of qualifiers. Nebraska 53.0 28 95.6 2 83.6 8 The District of Columbia trails all of Kansas 73.0 16 86.7 12 83.0 9 New Hampshire 80.0 9 83.7 18 82.7 10 the states with fewer than half of its Maine 65.0 21 93.3 6 81.7 11 candidates, an average of 49.7 percent, Washington 79.0 10 85.4 13 81.1 12 qualifying for the GED. In Maryland, Arizona 83.0 6 75.6 30 79.2 13 Tennessee, and Virginia, an average of West Virginia 78.0 11 73.7 32 79.1 14 Indiana 74.0 15 84.0 17 78.4 15 less than 6 of every 10 test takers passed Montana 72.0 17 79.8 25 78.2 16 throughout the period (Table 2). Vermont 74.0 15 81.8 21 77.9 17 Texas 79.0 10 83.5 19 77.8 18 The GED as a Percentage of Massachusetts 76.0 13 84.3 16 77.4 19 Public High School Graduates Hawaii 87.0 4 72.6 33 76.7 20 New Mexico 71.0 18 81.2 22 76.5 21 The increasing significance of the Alaska 30.0 32 89.0 9 76.1 22 GED is reflected by the change be- California 74.0 15 82.5 20 75.8 23 Alabama 80.0 9 64.7 43 75.5 24 tween 1972, when the 244,428 recipi- Colorado 70.0 19 90.8 8 75.0 25 ents earned 9 percent of the 2,715,867 Nevada 80.0 9 72.1 34 75.0 25 high school completion credentials in Oklahoma 79.0 10 79.0 26 74.7 26 the country, and 1987, when the North Carolina 69.0 20 88.6 10 74.5 27 Idaho 57.0 27 94.0 4 74.0 28 444,386 GEDs granted represented Ohio 71.0 18 81.0 23 73.9 29 18.7 percent of the 2,376,396 high Rhode Island 73.0 16 78.9 27 73.4 30 school-completion credentials earned Wisconsin 71.0 18 74.0 31 72.8 31 (Table 3). The nation is rapidly ap- Illinois 75.0 14 77.3 28 72.6 32 Kentucky 75.0 14 69.5 36 72.3 33 proaching the point when one of every Pennsylvania 76.0 13 77.3 28 71.8 34 five persons completes high school via Georgia 74.0 15 73.7 32 71.0 35 the GED. Arkansas 62.0 22 64.3 44 70.5 36 Some states have already reached the Missouri 60.0 24 80.3 24 69.9 37 Mississippi 72.0 17 67.1 39 67.2 38 point where more than 20 percent of Michigan 77.0 12 63.6 45 66.6 39 the graduates complete high school by Utah 59.0 25 81.8 21 65.9 40 the GED route. Alaska led the country Florida 71.0 18 68.3 38 65.8 41 in 1987 with 28.9 percent of the gradu- New Jersey 72.0 17 68.7 37 65.4 42 Connecticut 61.0 23 71.4 35 64.5 43 ates having gotten their credentials South Carolina 58.0 26 75.9 29 63.9 44 through the GED. Delaware 65.0 21 55.3 46 60.3 45 Other states with high percentages of Maryland 44.0 29 66.0 42 58.0 46 GED recipients among their high school Tennessee 33.0 31 66.6 40 55.3 47 Virginia N/A 66.1 41 51.6 48 graduates in 1987 were Kentucky (28.6 District of Columbia 43.0 30 48.4 47 49.7 49 percent), Florida (27 percent), Missis- New York N/A N/A N/A sippi (26.2 percent), and Vermont (23.8 percent). In all four of these states, Source: The General Educational Development Testing Service, Washington, D.C. there was a sharp change since 1972. In Florida, for instance, the 7,330 GED 1972, ranking Florida 25th among the of all the high school graduates in Flor- recipients represented 8.5 percent of states in percentage. By 1987, the ida, and the percentage was the third the state's high school graduates in 30,205 GED recipients were 27 percent highest in the country. Change July/August 1989 37 Table 3 of all the high school graduates in the States Ranked by Percentage of High School Graduates Obtaining GED state that year, ranking California 46th or Selected Years, 1972 and 1987 among the states in this percentage. 1972 1987 Age of GED Test Takers Percentage of Percentage of The average GED candidate is in the N All Graduates Rank N All Graduates Rank mid-20s, a drop from the start of the United States 244,428 9.0 444,386 18.7 period, when the average age was Alaska 3,339 46.8 1 2,200 28.9 1 about 30. In Canada, which has a small Kentucky 6,051 12.9 11 14,815 28.6 2 Florida 7,330 8.5 25 30,205 27.0 3 portion of all the GED test takers in Mississippi 3,190 10.7 19 8,887 26.2 4 North America, the average age remains Vermont 800 11.8 15 1,687 23.8 5 30. The fact that the average age of test New Mexico 3,565 17.3 3 4,557 22.9 6 takers in the United States was 25 in Arkansas 2,823 9.8 21 7,552 21.9 7 1982 and 26.1 in 1987 seems to indicate Arizona 3,306 12.1 13 7,971 21.6 8 Texas 28,490 15.6 5 44,640 21.5 9 a possible leveling off in the age of test Oregon 4,073 11.3 17 7,223 20.8 10 takers. West Virginia 3,790 14.6 7 5,606 20.6 11 Tennessee 5,871 10.2 20 11,395 20.5 12 College Plans North Carolina 6,070 8.0 28 16,765 20.3 13 Georgia 8,119 12.2 12 14,158 20.1 14 Increasingly, GED test takers plan to Oklahoma 3,770 8.9 24 8,581 19.9 15 pursue further study. Thirty-two percent Louisiana 7,492 14.1 9 9,684 19.9 15 had such plans in 1972, and the figure Wyoming 979 14.4 8 1,323 19.1 16 District of Columbia 1,444 22.4 2 850 16 rose to 49.7 percent in 1987. Some states 19.1 Kansas 5,365 13.6 10 6,060 19.1 16 consistently rank high in this category, New York 29,845 12.9 11 37,779 18.9 17 and some states consistently rank low Colorado 4,301 11.4 16 7,839 18.7 18 (Table 4). Nevada 840 11.9 14 1,977 18.5 19 For example, an average of more than Alabama 7,933 15.0 6 9,116 18.1 20 Rhode Island 2,126 16.3 4 1,840 17.6 21 63 percent of all those taking the GED Maine 1,973 12.1 13 2,953 17.5 22 from 1967 through 1987 planned fur- Washington 4,663 8.3 26 9,609 16.7 23 ther study in South Carolina (76.5 per- Montana 1,970 N/A 1,887 16.6 24 cent), Arizona (68.7 percent), Virginia Massachusetts 4,564 6.3 35 10,177 15.2 25 Pennsylvania 11,437 6.8 33 20,756 14.6 26 (64.2 percent), and Illinois (63.6 per- North Dakota 733 6.5 34 1,224 14.4 27 cent). GED candidates in some other Missouri 6,193 9.5 22 8,427 14.2 28 states were far less likely to contem- South Carolina 2,021 5.2 38 5,375 14.0 29 plate further study. The states in which Maryland 5,130 9.2 23 7,285 14.0 30 South Dakota 986 7.7 29 1,341 13.9 31 an average of fewer than 35 percent of Nebraska 1,089 4.8 39 2,629 13.7 32 the candidates had such plans between Hawaii 849 7.0 32 1,511 13.2 33 1967 and 1987 were Tennessee (34.5 per- lowa 3,465 7.2 30 5,137 13.0 34 cent), California (34.1 percent), Utah Illinois 8,928 6.1 36 16,166 12.8 35 New Hampshire 1,161 11.1 18 1,654 12.8 35 (33.7 percent), West Virginia (32.5 per- Wisconsin 2,945 4.0 40 8,468 12.7 36 cent), and Pennsylvania (27.7 percent). Virginia 5,564 8.2 27 9,432 12.7 36 Statistics were not available for Mis- Delaware 585 7.1 31 829 12.3 37 souri and New York for most years we Connecticut 3,266 8.0 28 4,523 12.0 40 New Jersey 9,292 N/A 10,218 11.5 41 studied. Indiana 489 0.7 43 7,171 11.0 42 As institutions of higher education Michigan 7,784 5.8 37 11,494 10.3 43 project future enrollments, it should be Ohio 3,843 2.5 41 13,999 10.3 43 of more than passing interest if they Minnesota 4,247 6.3 35 5,591 9.5 44 Idaho 302 2.3 42 738 5.8 45 are situated in states in which GED California N/A N/A 12,040 5.1 46 candidates are less likely to plan fur- Utah 37 0.2 44 1,042 4.7 47 ther study. Source: The General Educational Development Testing Service, Washington, D.C., and The Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1977 and 1988. Conclusion High schools are almost certain to It may be time, especially in certain the GED rather than a regular diploma. remain the main source of freshmen states, that institutions of higher edu- In some states this is less of an issue. for higher education. But as these sta- cation become more actively involved For example, fewer than 10 percent of tistics on the GED demonstrate, it is in determining GED policies affecting the high school completers in Minne- shortsighted to ignore the significant pass/fail rates since college enrollments sota, Idaho, California, and Utah get numbers of people who obtain the GED will increasingly depend on freshmen the GED. In California, the 12,040 GED certificate instead of a diploma. If col- who qualify for higher education with qualifiers in 1987 were only 5.1 percent leges and universities are to be repre- 38 Change July/August 1989 Table Percentage of Test Takers Planning Further Study by State and Rank for Selected Years, 1967 to 1987 Average Percentage 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1967 to 1987 % Rank % Rank % Rank % Rank % Rank % Rank Program Total 36.0 44.3 37.8 48.4 49.7 43.2 Canada N/A N/A 38.3 48.1 48.3 GED Testing Service N/A N/A 24.5 63.1 76.4 United States N/A N/A 51.0 48.1 49.4 South Carolina 77.0 2 73.1 3 83.3 1 74.5 1 74.5 1 76.5 1 Arizona 59.0 5 65.5 5 74.2 3 72.9 2 72.0 3 68.7 2 Virginia 82.0 1 19.5 42 79.9 2 67.1 4 72.3 2 64.2 3 Illinois 59.0 5 54.7 8 66.3 7 69.2 3 69.0 4 63.6 4 Hawaii 51.0 7 53.1 10 70.0 4 51.7 22 56.4 15 56.4 5 South Dakota 43.0 9 54.5 9 52.4 23 64.3 6 58.5 12 54.5 6 District of Columbia 8.0 33 78.9 2 69.0 6 60.1 10 56.6 14 54.5 6 Massachusetts 61.0 4 46.9 16 58.1 15 52.6 19 53.6 19 54.4 7 Minnesota 37.0 13 46.7 17 58.8 14 60.3 9 64.0 6 53.4 8 Louisiana 25.0 24 45.5 20 69.3 5 66.9 5 57.7 13 52.9 9 Ohio 33.0 17 46.4 18 59.4 13 61.2 7 59.6 7 51.9 10 Oklahoma 38.0 12 50.4 11 64.5 8 57.3 15 46.6 30 51.4 11 Oregon 24.0 25 48.4 12 59.9 12 58.4 13 59.4 8 50.0 12 Connecticut 61.0 4 62.9 6 61.9 11 28.7 44 31.0 42 49.1 13 New Hampshire 36.0 14 48.3 13 42.1 37 59.6 12 59.1 10 49.0 14 North Dakota 44.0 8 59.5 7 46.0 31 43.0 30 48.1 25 48.1 15 Washington 33.0 17 37.8 29 52.5 22 57.3 15 56.0 16 47.3 16 Nevada 35.0 15 38.7 28 53.0 20 60.5 8 48.3 24 47.1 17 New Mexico 39.0 11 39.3 27 44.6 33 57.8 14 53.6 19 46.9 18 Kansas 26.0 23 36.5 31 48.0 28 55.0 16 67.4 5 46.6 19 Texas 34.0 16 44.2 21 51.3 25 51.4 23 51.0 22 46.4 20 North Carolina 21.0 28 27.5 41 62.5 10 59.8 11 58.9 11 45.9 21 Montana 57.0 6 32.6 33 37.5 39 49.1 24 52.4 20 45.7 22 Delaware 23.0 26 86.1 1 56.4 16 34.6 38 27.4 44 45.5 23 Rhode Island 11.0 32 28.6 40 62.6 9 69.2 3 47.3 28 43.7 24 Nebraska 28.0 21 41.1 25 44.2 35 45.1 26 59.2 9 43.5 25 Idaho 51.0 7 40.9 26 56.2 17 30.9 40 38.1 40 43.4 26 Kentucky 21.0 28 28.8 39 54.6 18 52.1 21 55.9 17 42.5 27 Mississippi 27.0 22 50.4 11 53.0 20 52.3 20 29.2 43 42.4 28 Alabama 19.0 29 33.0 32 54.5 19 51.7 22 47.9 26 41.2 29 Arkansas 51.0 7 70.6 4 28.7 47 29.0 43 22.4 45 40.3 30 Maine 30.0 19 29.4 38 44.3 34 54.5 17 42.1 36 40.1 31 Michigan 22.0 27 43.5 22 45.2 32 44.9 27 44.5 33 40.0 32 Wyoming 35.0 15 42.9 23 33.2 46 36.1 35 52.0 21 39.8 33 Indiana 22.0 27 37.8 29 46.1 30 48.7 25 43.3 34 39.6 34 Georgia 40.0 10 45.8 19 49.4 27 30.3 41 31.3 41 39.4 35 Wisconsin 24.0 25 18.3 43 52.6 21 53.2 18 46.4 31 38.9 36 New Jersey 14.0 31 30.2 36 52.3 24 42.5 31 54.0 18 38.6 37 Alaska 35.0 15 12.7 44 50.1 26 44.4 28 46.8 29 37.8 38 lowa 29.0 20 37.1 30 33.8 44 43.1 29 45.1 32 37.6 39 Florida 26.0 23 36.5 31 47.4 29 34.4 39 42.0 37 37.3 40 Maryland N/A 42.4 24 41.7 38 42.1 32 52.4 20 35.7 41 Vermont 36.0 14 47.0 15 43.0 36 29.8 42 21.1 46 35.4 42 Colorado 31.0 18 47.7 14 28.3 48 24.8 46 43.1 35 35.0 43 Tennessee 18.0 30 30.3 35 35.7 41 40.9 33 47.7 27 34.5 44 California 24.0 25 33.0 32 33.3 45 40.7 34 39.4 38 34.1 45 Utah 18.0 30 29.4 37 35.8 40 34.7 37 50.7 23 33.7 46 West Virginia 24.0 25 30.6 34 34.0 43 35.7 36 38.4 39 32.5 47 Pennsylvania 19.0 29 38.7 28 35.3 42 27.3 45 18.0 47 27.7 48 New York 74.0 3 N/A N/A N/A N/A Missouri N/A N/A 51.3 25 N/A N/A Source: The General Educational Development Testing Service, Washington, D.C. sentative of population and to serve the should be recognized for the potential fair to the hundreds of thousands of society's varied needs-as critics are it holds for helping higher education GED candidates that these concerns be urging-then certainly this constituen- institutions increase their diversity. If brought into the open and addressed. cy deserves more attention. educators have reservations about the People who choose an alternative route In an era when the word "diversity" GED as a credential indicating worthi- of certification should know exactly what is mentioned so frequently, the GED ness for further study, then it is only it represents. Change July/August 1989 39 Delaware Contacts Michael Ratchford Office - 739-4101 Dover Governor's Chief of Staff 577-3210 Wilmington Home - 322-0963 Car - 740-1863 Beeper - 421-1154 - 1-855-4204 Fax - 739-2775 Dover - 577-3118 Wilmington Basil Battaglia Office - 368-6868 State Chairman Marlene Elliott Office - 856-7690 Senator Roth's Office Home - 875-0491 Dr. George Frunzi Office - 856-0961 Sussex Vo-Tech Superintendent Wayne Meluney Office - 865-9035 Principal Home - 645-1983 Adult Program Elizabeth Bingham Office - 577-3210 Wilmington Governor's Press Secretary - 739-4101 Dover Home - 984-1227 Car - 530-5559 Sue Campbell Office - 577-3210 Wilmington Governor's Office - 739-4101 Dover Home - 654-7464 Home - 684-0228 (Sussex) MAY-30-MI THU 17:50 GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FAX NO. 5713118 P.01 STATE OF DELAWARE OFFICE OF THE COVERNOR MICHAEL N. CASTLE FAX TRANSMISSION COVER SHEET GOVERNOR DATE: 5/30/91 TO: Lisa Battaglia COMPANY: White House ADDRESS: PHONE: Transmission includes 2 pages, not including this cover sheet. Should you have problems receiving, please call: Helen Foss at (302) 577-3211 a NAME PHONE FAX NUMBER: WILMINGTON OFFICE (302) 577-3118 DOVER OFFICE (302) 739-2775 Hi Lisa - Hope the attached helps. - Callme if you have questions. In addition, The Governor chaird Delaware Task Force on Education for The Economy in 1983-84 as Lt. GON Chairs the National Re:Learning Advisory Board serves on the National Assessment Gaverning Board (NAGB) Serves on the Education Commission of the states Policies 4 Prioritics Committee He has played asignificant supportive rte of the Groves Schools during his administration, - attanding /speaking at their graduations - articulating The benefits of Groves School - increasing funding - enhancing the Flexibility of The school to-sexe students at risk, offering Them an LEGISLATIVE alternative HALL high school setting, CARVEL STATE OFFICE BLDG. WILMINGTON. 19801 ceudience Group Extended Page 2.2 Graduates Families Sussex Groves Adult HS faculty and staff Sussex County Vocational-Technical School District Board of Education Sussex County Vocational-Technical School District staff Sussex Groves Adult HS guests (former principals, former faculty, etc.) Delaware Department of Public Instruction Officials Sussex County Council Seaford, Delaware School Board City of Seaford officials State Legislators State Elected Officials Corporate guests (DuPont Corp., Nanticoke Homes, Townsend Corp., Purdue corp., etc.. Note: These companies have supported adult education and some have Groves HS programs at their facilities.) TOTAL P.02 Extended Page 1.1 Staff Sargent James Crew, 39, is no stranger to defending his country. Crew was awarded a Purple Heart in Vietnam and most recently received the Governor's Award for Bravery and Heroism for his service during the Persian Gulf War. A Marine reservist, Crew was knocked unconcious from his light amored vehicle in Kuwait, breaking his arm, thumb and pelvis. Crew, a Delaware native, is a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School. He holds two associate degrees from Brandywine College and DelTech. He lives in Wilmington with his wife Denise and two children, Michael, 10 and Dorothy, 7, and is currently a Corporal in the Greenwood Police Department. JUN-10-1991 13:01 FROM SEAFORD, DE STAFF OFC TO 12024561647 P.02 JUN-10-91 MON 12:02 GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DOVER FAX NO. 7362775 P.04 VICTORIA EASTBURN Graduation Speaker If you are an adult who thinks you are too busy to get a high school diploma, perhaps you haven't met Vicki Eastburn. Since September, 1990, Eastburn has been a student at James H. Groves High School. She will graduate on June 11, 1991. Eastburn differs from most of the other thousands of Delaware high school students who will graduate this year because she is 32 years old, works at Vlasic Foods full time, and has a husband and two children. Eastburn admits, "It is difficult to come back to school with all of my other obligations, but I know that hard work and a loving, supportive family can help me overcome any obstacle. I realized how supportive my family is. My husband kept telling me I could do it. He is really proud of me now. I have even been asked to give a speech at graduation." Eastburn was 16 when she dropped out of high school. She added, "I appreciate what I have learned over the past year. It is actually neat to learn. It is different than learning when I was a teenager." Eastburn praised her teachers. "Mrs. VanPelt and Mrs. Faulkner were very encouraging. I hate fractions, and Mrs. VanPelt got me through them." JUN-10-91 MON 12:01 GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DOVER FAX NO. 7362775 P.03 Extended Page 2.1 WILLIAM GIBBS Graduation Speaker William Gibbs, 48, left school in 1960, after making it to the tenth grade. While serving his country in the Panama Canal Zone in 1967, he pursued and received his General Equilvalency Diploma. In 1974, Gibbs joined the National Guard to continue serving his country until a heart attack on June 30, 1988 forced him to leave the service. The heart attack did not stop him from serving his fellow man, however, as he became a Big Brother to many children while remaining active in his church and community. Gibbs now works at DuPont in Seaford and is graduating with his high school diploma from the James H. Groves Adult High School. In addition to pursuing his diploma, Gibbs also completed the Sussex Tech Plumbing and Pipefitting Apprenticeship program. He lives in Seaford with his wife Lutisha, a past Groves program graduate. They have six children ranging in age from 13 to 24. AUDIENCE GROUPS FOR SUSSEX GROVES ADULT HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT Graduates TUN-10-1991 11:56 FROM SEAFORD, DE STAFF OFC TO P.08 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Podium AUDIENCE 1. Dr. Fran Tracy-Mumford Supervisor of Adult Education for the State of Delaware 2. State Representative John R. Schroeder State Representative for the 37th District of Delaware 3. Senator William V. Roth United States Senator for Delaware 4. Governor Michael N. Castle Governor of the State of Delaware 5. THE PRESIDENT 6. Dr. George L. Frunzi Superintendent, Sussex County Vocational-Technical School District 7. Mr. A. Wayne Meluney Principal, Sussex Groves Adult High School 8. Secretary Lamar Alexander United States Department of Education 9. Dr. Kevin E. Carson Asst. Superintendent, Sussex County Vocational-Technical School Dist. 10. Mr. Howard R. Elliott President, Board of Education, Sussex County Vocational-Technical School District 11. Reverend Grace Batten Mount Zion Holy Church, Milton, Delaware 12. Reverend David Mulford St. Phillips Episcopal Church, Quantico, Maryland JUN-10-1991 11:55 FROM SEAFORD, DE STAFF OFC TO P.07 TO SEAFORD, DELAWARE JUNE 11. 1991 EVENT: Address James H. Groves Adult High School Commencement DATE: Tuesday, June 11, 1991 TIME: 12:27 p.m. - 1:35 p.m. LOCATION: Seaford Senior High School Auditorium PRESS: Open ATTENDEES: Graduates (68), Families of Graduates and Invited Guests. Total Audience - 1100. SCENARIO: THE PRESIDENT, accompanied by Governor Castle and Senator Roth, arrives Seaford High School and is met by: Mr. Chester Baltz, Principal, Seaford Senior High School; The Honorable Dale Wolf, Lt. Governor of Delaware; The Honorable Myrna L. Bair, Delaware State Senator, 5th District; The Honorable Tina Fallon, Delaware State Representative, 39th District; The Honorable Jane Maroney, Delaware State Representative, 10th District; Mr. Richard Lewis. Vice President Sussex County Vocational-Technical School District; TBD Following the greeting, the President proceeds to the off-stage announcement area and holds briefly. Dave Roseele - Pres. u Del THE PRESIDENT is announced on to stage with Honors. THE PRESIDENT proceeds on stage and stands in front of his chair for introduction of Reverend Grace R. Batten, Mount Zion Holy Church of Milton, Delaware, and Sergeant H. James Crew, Former United States Marine by Dr. George L. Frunzi, Superintendent Sussex County Vocational-Technical School District. The invocation is delivered by Rev. Batten followed by the Pledge of Allegiance by Sgt. Crew. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, THE PRESIDENT is seated for the introduction of Secretary Lamar Alexander by Dr. George L. Frunzi, Superintendent, Sussex County Vocational- Technical School District. Secretary Alexander makes brief remarks. THE PRESIDENT remains seated for 2 Graduate speakers. Dr. Frunzi introduces Governor Castle who, in turn, introduces THE PRESIDENT. THE PRESIDENT is introduced by Governor Castle. THE PRESIDENT delivers commencement address. Following his address, THE PRESIDENT returns to stand in front of his seat for Extended Page 7.1 Board of Education, Sussex County Vocational Technical School District. The graduates cross the stage to shake hands with THE PRESIDENT, Governor Castle, Secretary Alexander, Senator Roth, and Dr. Fran Tracy-Mumford, State Supervisor of Adult Education and then proceed to exit stage right. After the last graduate has exited the stage, THE PRESIDENT remains standing for the Benediction by Reverened David Mulford, Saint Phillip's Episcopal Church, Quantico, Maryland. Mr. Meluney concludes the program and the platform participants depart the stage. THE PRESIDENT departs stage and proceeds to holding room. THE PRESIDENT arrives holding room and holds briefly. THE PRESIDENT departs holding room and proceeds to motorcade. t. MAY-30-91 THU 17:50 GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FAX NO. 5713118 P.02 aug '90 GOVERNOR CASTLE'S EDUCATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS Overall, Governor Castle has been determined not to accept mediocrity, but to push for excellence for all students. He has pushed for increasing teachers' salaries, rocketing Delaware's national ranking from 21st to 10th within four years. He has pushed the issue of accountability of individual teachers, administrators, as well as school buildings. Delaware now has a statewide teacher appraisal instrument, has piloted a building administrators' appraisal process, and has published the first school profiles for all Delaware high schools with publication for first middle school profile due this next school year. He has supported the enhancement of professional development, supporting research-based statewide in-service programs for teachers with a significant increase in funding. He has been attentive to the possibility of a "teacher crisis" and the importance of recruiting and retaining top quality teachers, "pushing for enhancing alternative routes to certification, for example, and connecting the District Personnel Directors with the Delaware Development Office to learn marketing techniques for attracting quality teachers to our state. He has championed the idea of focusing on the first 60 months of children's lives: - making significant strides to lower Delaware's infant mortality rate by expanding Medicaid benefits to pregnant women and children; - increasing subsidized child care (by 233%) thus providing access to child care for more children; - tightening child care regulations; - promoting developmentally appropriate early childhood programs with three state pilots; - promoting parent education with Parents as Teachers now to be in all three counties. He has supported start-up of "latch-key" programs providing care and enrichment for elementary children. He has focused the state's attention on our High School drop-out challenge: - building on the recommendations of his Children-At-Risk Task Force to support initiatives in each school district; - creating Alternative High Schools at six sites; - placing wellness clinics at four high school campuses. He has given leadership to ensure the equalization funding process has been adjusted to continue to reduce disparity among districts. MAY-30-91 THU 17:50 GOVERNOR' S OFFICE FAX NO. 5713118 P.03 Page Two - Governor's Education Accomplishments He has seen the importance of strong leadership on school boards and has given careful consideration to his appointments of quality people on the State Board as well as the County Vocational School District Boards. Perhaps, most important has been his national leadership position in school restructuring and his support of the development of the Re: Learning effort here in the state of Delaware. is involved out of 160 schools are now Supporting these state activities, he has been active in two national leadership positions regarding education. He chairs the National Advisory Board to the Re: Learning program and is a member of the National Assessment Governing Board that oversees the National Assessment of Education Progress (the nation's report card.) THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON June 7, 1991 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT THROUGH: TONY SNOW FROM: DAN McGROARTY SUBJECT: GROVES ADULT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION On Tuesday, June 11th at 12:30 p.m. you will deliver speah brief remarks (approximately 11 minutes) at the graduation ceremony of the Groves Adult High School held in Seaford High School Auditorium in Seaford, Delaware. Secretary Alexander will accompany of you. Governor Michael Castle introduces you. While your remarks highlight the particular achievements of the graduating Groves students, the event itself draws attention to Track Three of your America 2000 education strategy; i.e. adult literacy and lifelong learning. The speech also draws attention to the importance the family support in achieving educational excellence. JUN- 6-91 THU 13:58 SUSSEX VO-TECH P.01 SUSSEXTECH RT. 9 - - P.O. BOX 351 GEORGETOWN, DE 19947 (302) 856-9035 A. WAYNE MELUNEY, Director LEMUS L. JENSEN Adult Education Division Industrial Training Coordinal FAX COVER SHEET TO: Jennifer Grossman FAX NO.: 1-202-456-6218 DATE: 6/6/91 NO. UF PAGES: 2 (Including Cover Sheet) SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Jennifer Please don't hesitate to call if I can help with anything else FROM: Brenda Thompson James H. Hroves H.S. PHONE #: 856-9035 COMPANY: Sussex Tech - Adult Ed. Div: FAX #: 856-7875 JUN- 6-91 THU 13:59 SUSSEX VO-TECH P.02 PROGRAM A. Wayne Meluney Principal, Sussex Groves SUSSEX COUNTY VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOL DISTRICT PIANO PROCESSIONAL Jane Locke GREETINGS TO GRADUATES Dr. Fran Tracy-Mumford State Supervisor of Adult Education AWARDING OF SCHOLARSHIPS Dr. Kevin E. Carson Asst. Superintendent, Sussex County Vocational-Technical School District DISTINGUISHED TEACHER AWARD A. Wayne Meluney INTRODUCTION OF PLATFORM GUESTS Dr. George L. Frunzi Superintendent, Sussex County Vocational-Technical School District INVOCATION Rev. Grace R. Batten Mt. Zion Holy Church, Milton, Delaware INTRODUCTION OF U. S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION U. S. Senator William V. Roth, Jr. REMARKS BY U. S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION The Honorable Lamar Alexander INTRODUCTION OF STUDENT SPEAKERS A. Wayne Meluney STUDENT SPEAKERS Victoria Eastburn William Gibbs INTRODUCTION OF GOVERNOR Dr. George L. Frunzi INTRODUCTION OF PRESIDENT Governor Michael N. Castle COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS President George Herbert Walker Bush PRESENTATION OF GRADUATES A. Wayne Meluney CONFERRING OF DIPLOMAS Howard R. Elliott President, Board of Education Sussex County Vocational-Technical School District BENEDICTION Rev. David B. Mulford St. Phillips Episcopal Church, Quantico, MD JUN- 5-91 WED 17:28 SUSSEX VO-TECH P.05 Seaford Maintenance Chief who Prepares Auditorium for the President's Visit is a Groves Graduate Mr. Wayne Merritt, the maintenance chief at Seaford High School, is busily preparing the school for President Bush's arrival for the James H. Groves High School graduation ceremony on June 11. Ironically, Merritt is also a Sussex Groves graduate of the class of 1974. Merritt quit school in the ninth grade to join the Delaware Army National Guard in 1961. (He has since retired as a Sergeant First Class). He was hired by the Seaford School district in 1966. "I've been working at both jobs ever since," said Merritt. "I soon realized I needed more education to progress in my Guard job and with the Seaford school district. "So I went back to the Sussex Groves program in 1974.' Merritt continued. "I also wanted to be a role model for my twin boys. I think it paid off because one son is a Captain in the U. S. Army and one works here with me on the maintenance crew!" At the present time Merritt is extremely busy supervising his crew for President Bush's visit. "We're giving the building a real good cleaning. We are checking the air conditioning, trimming the shrubbery and cutting the grass. We'll also tear down the auditorium from Seaford's high school graduation and getting set up for the Groves graduation. It's involved alot of extra man hours, but we don't mind. I feel like President Bush is saluting me along with the current graduates." The Sussex Groves program helped Merritt get started on a dual career in the military and state system. Sixty-eight graduates will get that same opportunity on June 11. OFFiCe OF PRESiDENTiAL ADVANCE 191 CONTACT SHEET NAME OFFICE Phone Number Presidential advance office 202/456-7565 Presidential advance FAX 202 / 456 - 2820 Leo Tomeu Presidential advance 202/456-7565 11 il Kelley Gannon 11 Suzanne faulk 11 LARRY SPERL USSS/PPD 202/395-411- 302-856-7690(0) Marlene Elliott Office of Sen. Wm Roth 302-875-0491 (H) Kim Newson WH advance Comfortian -Seaford DARRY FEAST WhiteHoute Communica fions " " 1, Trudy Clark ComfortInn Seafo 629-8385 MARK BARNETTE WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS 202-395-4040 WAYNE JUSTICE COAST GUARD MILITARY AIDE/MILITARY OFFICE 2023951747 Elisa Watkins WH Interovermental Affairs 202/456-7170 ROB CREAMER MaRINE ONE ADVANCE (703) 640-2364 " / FRED ANDERSON ANDY FOSTER WH POLITICAL AFFAIRS 202 456 6510 ED COWLING PRESIDENTIAL ADVANCE COMFORT INN MIKE GOVONNON CASTLE'S OFFICE 302-739-4101/527-3 JENNIFER GROSSMAN WH PRESIDENTIAL SPEECHWRITING (202)456-775 Elizabeth Bingham COVERNOR CASTLE'S OFICE 302/577-3210 or 739-: Jane B. Leonard WH office of Public Leaison 202-456-7845 BAS iL R. BATTAGLIA Rep state Committee 502 368-686 Bob Chadwick Rep State Committee 302-651-026 Sue Campbell Gor, Castle 'D office 302-577-3211 Doug Rogers Presidential Advance 202-456-7565 Rich Stribling USSS/PPD -Lead Comfort Inn. Seaford N. AMB office VERN NEWELL Phone Number Leo WISNIEWSKI U.S. Secret Serveew (JSD) Comfort dun Rm 330 Secret Service 11 Scott M. Malfitano LEVINE. CARSON go office Rm-334 Susser Oo Tech 654-4204 656-1363 856-2541 JUN- 3-91 MON 15:14 SUSSEX VO-TECH P.01 TECH RT. 9 - P.O. BOX 351 GEORGETOWN, DE 19947 (302) 856-9035 LEMUS L. JENSEN A. WAYNE MELUNEY, Director Industrial Training Coordinator Adult Education Division FAX COVER SHEET TO: Dan McGroarty FAX NO.: 202-456-6218 DATE: 6/3/91 NO. OF PAGES: 6 (Including Cover Sheet) SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Dan, Ive attached a Nomination Forms that were Submitted earlierthis year for a special awards Ceremony. I thought you could use those for a student profile I should have two more for you by Widnusday. The other sheets provide you with a good overview OF the Groves His. FROM: A. Wayne Meluney, Principal PHONE #: 856-9035 Sussex Tech - Adult Ed. Div. - Groves H.S. COMPANY: FAX #: 856-7875 JUN- 3-91 MON 15:14 SUSSEX VO-TECH P.02 1 JAMES H. GROVES ADULT HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM Purpose: The impose of Grovet in to open doors of opportunity for adults and out-of-chool your BY CHABLING them (S) graduate and improve the quality of their lives. History: James H. Graves Adult High School is n State Doard of Education iniquens approved and the only statewide Middle States accredited secondary adult high school in the nation. Groves was created by the Legislature in 1964 to provide employment opportunities for those who had dropped out of school. IL was accredited by Middle States in 1984. Eligibility: Individuals 16 years or older and out-of-school are eligible to enroll. The companion Alternative Education Program is for in-school youth 15-21 years of age. Alternative students transfer their credits earned at Groves back to their home high school where they graduate. Requirements: All graduates must have 19 credits with 11 1/2 prescribed by the State. The prescribed credits include: English 4 credits Social Studies 3 credits (includes 1 credit United States History) Mathematics 2 credits Science 2 credits Health 1/2 credit Electives 7 1/2 credits + minimum competencies Earning Credit: There are multiple ways to carn high school credits. Enrolling in and passing a class (with 70% or better grade with less than 6 absences), consespondence study, GED and/or APL testing, life skill testing, employment experience, vocational courses, military courses/training, higher education courses, foreign school courses, community service and prior high school credits are allowable ways to earn credit. An alternative route to achieving the 19 credits is through the GED+ route. The GED plus the following credits must be earned: American Studies (1 credit) Senior English (1 credit) Math (1 credit) Science (1 credit) Health (1/2 credit) Electives (4 1/2 credits) Locations: The Groves High School program is one school located at six sites: Wilmington, Marskallwn, Numark, Middlew Woodside, and Georgetown. Student Activities: Student Government, yearbook, family trips, dinners, newspaper, and commencement are examples of student activities. JUN- 3-91 MON 15:15 SUSSEX VO-TECH P.03 2 Graduates: Groves graduated 521 students in June, 1990; one out of 32 graduates in Delaware is a Groves graduate; one out of 15 have attended Groves to acquire credits toward graduation: 815 of the 1050 CLD's have been earned through the Groves GED testing centers. Number of Participants: There are more than 1,500 students enrolled annually with n duplicated enrollment by class totaling more than 3,000. Including the alternative program students, Groves had an additional 1,962 enrollments. Demographic Information: 83.4% of the students have family incomes under the state individual average income; 75% intend to improve their ECOMOMIC status as Я result of attending Groves. Program Results: Groves graduates are placed in jobs, have a preferred enrollment status by many employers, 31% achieve honor status: 45% intend to continue their education beyond Groves high school. Community Linkages and Public Support: Linkages and collaborative efforts with business and industry and other agencies have been developed. Public awareness of illiteracy and the need for adults to have a high school credential has increased the credibility of the Groves Adult High School Program. The business community has responded positively to Groves Adult High School by: Eucouraging unqualified and under-qualified job applicants to obtain a high school credential. Referring applicants directly to a Groves center. Calling Groves centers to announce job ореншух. Hiring Groves graduates on a "preferred" applicant basis. Funding: In the last four years, funding has increased from $737,972 in FY87 to $843,000 for Groves plus $540,000 for the alternutive program. JUN- 3-91 MON 15:15 SUSSEX VO-TECH P.04 3 Structural Organization of Adult Education in Delaware: Adult Basic Education (Federal funds) For adults with less than 8th grade skills Funds are provided to Library Literacy programs, school districts, community based organizations, and community colleges English As A Second Language (Federal funds) For adults who are non-English speakers Funds are provided to school districts, community based organizations and community colleges GED (State and Federal funds) For adults seeking a high school equivalence Funds are provided to school districts, community based organizations and community colleges Groves Adult High School (State funds) For adults seeking a high school diploma Funds are provided to school districts Homeless Adult Education Program (Federal Discretionary funds) For homeless adults provided in partnership with shelters JUN- 3-91 MON 15:16 SUSSEX VO-TECH P.05 Daw NOMINATION FORM This was the Nomination Form for a recent award PROGRAM ceremony I thought Program Name: Sussex Center Adult Programs the profile boken would be Program Type (Circle ONE): ABE Classroom Literacy ESL GED Groves First Step of interest. Alternative Literacy Tutoring JTPA Homeless Other W.M. Administrator: A. Wayne Meluney Phone: 856-9035 Address: RT 9 PO Box 351 Georgetown, DE 19947 NOMINEE (Name): William Gibbs QUALIFICATIONS Nominee must: Mary Bur Delaware for Be an adult student (preference given to students 18 and older) Technical Have attended your program during calendar year 1990 community Be willing to attend ceremony to receive award college. Individual reasons for nomination: (use back of page if needed) (Examples: Goals attained, obstacles overcome, exemplary characteristics or accomplishments) In space below write comments exactly as they are to be read at awards ceremony. Hoyrsolf? Bill left school in 1960 after making it to the 10th grade. He pursued and received his G.E.D. while serving his country in the Panama Canal Zone in 1967 When his tour of duty was over, he joined the National Guard in 1974 to continue serving his country until a heart attack on June 30, 1988 forced him to leave the armed forces. The heart attack didn't stop him from serving his fellow man by being a big brother to many children while remaining active in his church and community. Bill now works at duPont, in Seaford, but he is not satisfied with a G.E.D. He is back at school pursuing his high school diploma from the James H. Groves Adult High School, where I have him in Science class. He not only goes to school on Tuesday and Thursday, but he attends the Sussex Tech Plumbing & Pipefitting Apprenticeship program on Monday and Wednesday evenings. He 15 a family man and has done well raising 6 children ranging in age from 13 to 24. It's a pleasure to nominate Bill for this award. * Dan McGroants- Bill Gibbs will be TW the graduating class of James H. Grovers ongiting I certify that the nominee meets the listed requirements for nomination and that the above program is providing full sponsorship of this individual, including: 1) full payment of costs for attendance at the February 23rd event 2), a staff sponsor to accompany the nominee to the awards event 3) provi- sion of or arrangement for transportation nominee to the event if needed. Book Name of staff sponsor: Date: 1/29/91 Signature of administrator: I release this statement for publication. Student Signature: Will T. Gibbs Send to: Malcolm Baird, 351 Mockingbird Hill Road JUN- 3-91 MON 15:17 SUSSEX VO-TECH P.06 A Dan NOMINATION FORM Awather profile for PROGRAM your consideration. Program Name: Sussex Center Adult Programs Program Type (Circle ONE): ABE Classroom Literacy ESL GED Groves First Step Alternative Literacy Tutoring JTPA Homeless Other Administrator: A. Wayne Meluney Phone: 856-9035 Address: RT 9, PO Box 351 Georgetown, DE 19947 NOMINEE (Name): Reese Long QUALIFICATIONS Nominee must: -- Be an adult student (preference given to students 18 and older) Have attended your program during calendar year 1990 Be willing to attend ceremony to receive award Individual reasons for nomination: (use back of page if needed) (Examples: Goals attained, obstacles overcome, exemplary characteristics or accomplishments) In space below write comments exactly as they are to be read at awards ceremony. Reese Long is a student of exceptional determination. He has overcome many personal obstacles to continue his education. As a James H. Groves student at the Wilmington site, Reese was involved in a serious automobile accident one night on his way to school. Reese not only demolished his car, but also sustained back injuries which required hospitalization. Secause the bus line was only within city limits, Reese had no transportation to school. After recuperating from the accident, Reese relocated to Sussex County and enrolled in the Sussex Groves site. Along with working a full-time job, Reese attends classes four nights a week as a regular Groves and G.E.D. student. He spends more than the required time studying in and out of classes. Because of his dedication and desire to learn, Reese is an inspiration to both the students and 1 staff of the Sussex site of James H. Groves Adult High School. Dan Peese will receive his diplone this year I certify that the nominee meets the listed requirements for nomination and that the above program is providing full sponsorship of this individual, including: 1) full payment of costs for attendance at the February 23rd event 2) a staff sponsor to accompany the nominee to the awards event 3) provi- sion of or arrangement for transportation of nominee to the event if needed. Name of staff sponsor: Carb M-Hunt Signature of administrator: Date: 1/8/91 I release this statement for publication. Student Signature: Send to: Malcolm Baird, 351 Mockingbird Hill Road JU 5-91 WED 13:48 SUSSEX VO-TECH P.01 SUSSEXTECH RT. 9 - - P.O. BOX 351 GEORGETOWN, DE 19947 (302) 856-9035 A. WAYNE MELUNEY, Directo LEMUS L. JENSEN Adult Education Division 2 stude Victoria william bb industrial Training Coordinato press and yestudes Roseme Eventon TU: mering whote something one -Du Frunzi GOV FAX COVER SHEET Dan 202-456-6218 Mc Groarty FAX NU. : DATE: 6/5/91 NO. UF PAGES: 3 (Including Cover Sheet) SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Dan, Here are 2 articles. Two more will follow this afternoon. FROM: A. Wayne Milunez PHONE #: 856-9035 COMPANY: Sussex Tech - Adult Ed. Div. James H. Haves H.S. FAX #: 856-7875 AVEC Rosemary Everton quit school after the eighth grade to get married and have a baby. She decided to go back to school and get her diploma, which at that time, was something a 17 year old girl with a baby did not do. She worked all day and went to the Groves Program four hours a night, four nights a week for four years. Rosemary graduated in 1972 from the program with her high school diploma. Since that time, Rosemary and her husband have built a custodial contract business out of cleaning houses for $50 per week. Now they have a business with 200 employees and contracts throughout the state. She has inspired others to finish their education. One of her employees, a single mother of two, graduated from the Groves Program and Rosemary is now putting her through college. She has also convinced a manager at her company to do the same. Rosemary feels the Groves Program was very supportive of her, teaching her that she could push herself and be successful. The individual attention, common goals of the students and the absence of peer pressure gave Rosemary what she needed to accomplish what she has today. Smallwood was charged with criminally negligent homicide, meaning police and the state at- torney general's office believe she did not intentionally cause the baby's death. If convicted, she Tapping into historic wellspring could face up to five years in P.2/12 prison. Maurer said Smallwood's case Draining of Milton pond stirs memories grind of machinery. All this, in the name of progress. illustrates the plight of the work- "I don't mind seeing the pond ing poor, who often cannot afford By CAROLYN LEWIS little kids looking for baby turtles," said way because after Nov. 15 it will adequate child care. legal assis- Norma Fleming, owner of Norma's res- better than it ever was," said Mi Sussex Bureau reporter tance and other services. taurant. For the past 30 years, Fleming, Mayor John R. Hudson. "It certa "I think it's reflective of a MILTON Wagamon's Pond once 54, could watch the pond's silvery wa- will be a lot safer and more attract broader problem that society has: the glittering heart of this historic town ters from her cafe at the bottom of The state highways division bega People who have good jobs are is today a muddy stretch of stagnant Mulberry Street. drain the 59-acre pond three weeks OK and people on welfare are water. Now, thanks to the state Department in the first stage of a $982,000 pre taken care of,' Maurer said. "But Gray stumps rise from the goo like of Transportation, she has a view of a being done by First State Crane Ser the working poor are in trouble." ghosts from an ancient swamp. A pun- tall, green derrick, red mesh-wire barri- of Frederica. Smallwood is "very, very dis- gent smell hangs over decaying moss at ers and signs reading "Keep Out" and The state-funded project will rep traught I think it's clear to the pond's edge. "Road Closed." And instead of the the roadway over a dam that separ everyone involved that she loved "It's strange to look out and not see soothing sound of water hurrying over her daughter very, very much." the fishermen on the banks and the the low dam, she hears the thunk and See MILTON Adult high school grad Tho got '2nd chance at life' for I me a second chance at life, and HIGH SCHOOL By CAROLYN LEWIS now can hold my head up and be As Sussex Bureau reporter proud to be an American," she WASHIN JUN 05 '91 08:10 REPUBLICAN PARTY OF DELAWARE If President Bush wants to know said Tuesday. General D how the James H. Groves Adult President Bush is scheduled to leave the ac High School can change a life, all speak at a Groves commencement mer to run he has to do is ask Dianna Y. in Seaford June 11 for 65 of the Barcus. program's 80 Sussex County gradu- Pennsylvar said Tuesda Barcus, 46. dropped out of ates-to-be. The remaining 15 are Thornbu school when she was 17. Two receiving their diplomas at a cere- years ago, she earned her Groves mony at Sussex Correctional Insti- high school diploma in the free tution near Georgetown. Quick read program. Today she earns "more Gov. Castle, who invited the money than I ever dreamed of" at president to attend the Seaford shortly bef a Newark bank. The News Journal/FRED COMEGYS of his decis ceremony, said through a spokes- "If the President asked me, I'd Dianna Barcus, a Groves adult high school grad, now works part time at years rema tell him the Groves school gave See GRAD A6 the Middletown Groves where the principal calls her a "great recruiter." late Repub Bush ma Tuesday's stocks Sports flash Index Weather: Cool Berilnda Bruce B1 Letters A11 Mostly sunny but cool. High near The Dow slips 7.38 to 3.027.95 Tuesday Basketball: Lakers, Bulls clash tonight Business 88 Movies 06 70. Northeast winds 10 to 20 mph. alter a bout of profit-taking. But financial Baseball: Robinson staying with O's Classified C6 Obituarles B4 Mostly clear skies tonight and un- Comics D9 People D3 seasonably cool. Low In the up- services post gains, including Chemical Basketball: Tarkanian may leave Crossword D3 Seoreboard C4 per 40s. Mostly sunny and cool Dear Abby D8 Sports C1 Thursday. High in the low 70s, Bank: J.P. Morgan, Citicorp. Tennis: Becker wins at French Open Editorial A10 Television D2 low near 50, DETAILS, B2. 0 JUN 05 '91 08:11 REPUBLICAN PARTY OF LAWARE P.3/12 Grad: Gratitude leads I-deserved boost to adult school recruiting ropouts was ing at other kinds of jobs, so we offered ow recalled. them an hourly rate to teach at the Groves FROM PAGE A1 said. "Which shows the scope of 33 and 1964 school instead." man Tuesday he would not try to the problem." credits by The program was a success right from the include the prisoners in next espondence start, Row said. In the 30 years it has been oper- week's graduation. "The pressure for it came from the com- ating, Groves has awarded diplo- n, with the 000 funded munity at large, and once we opened, they "We're letting the school han- mas to about 10,000 students, Tra- kept on coming" dle this the way they always cy-Mumford said. "Our success legislature, Row said in the course of a 30-year career, have" - that is, with separate stories include somebody in the held in bor- a man is lucky if he can do two or three ceremonies, said Castle's press legislature, a past lieutenant-gov. up and down things that are truly important. "One of the secretary, Elizabeth Bingham. ernor. and someone in New Castle their teach- things I'm most proud of is the Groves About 3,000 Groves students County government.' ranks of the school," he said. will be graduating statewide. The Dianna Barcus graduated from edited, Row According to Row, James H. Groves "was high school consists of one school the Middletown High School divi- Delaware's first superintendent of public in- located at six sites - "the only sion. She was valedictorian of her e moonlight- struction. He took office in 1875." statewide system for adult educa- class. tion in the country." according to "Before Groves, I was so beaten Director Frances D. Tracy-Mum- ford. down. 1 didn believe in myself," she said Tuesday. "Now it's like a Sussex classes are held at the ornburgh: Quits post bright shining door opening up Vocational-Technical School on and I can't get enough learning. U.S. 9 near Georgetown. But be- cause the school doesn't have a Barcus works four nights a run for U.S. Senate large enough meeting room. it has week at the Middletown Groves rented the Seaford High School where principal Joseph DiSalvo auditorium for the ceremony. says she is a "great recruiter.' partment jobs under at cloud. in The Sussex Tech adult program Among her recruits are her hus. AGE A1 band. her sister and two brothers. on Transportation Secre- cluding one who Wils sentence recently received the "Delaware m Skinner. Missouri Gov. last week to 16 months in prisor Exemplary Adult Education Pro- Tracy-Mumford says the pro- sheroft, former Calif. Gov. for using cocaine and lying about gram Award" from the Depart- gram has attracted a lot of fami- Deukmejian and Sen. it on his job application. ment of Public Instruction bê- lies over the years. "We've had Rudman. R.N.H. Still. Thornburgh is considered cause it exceeded the national husbands and wives studying to- hurgh's decision had been the favorite to win the November criteria established by the U.S. gether. and a mother. father and ited for some time. even election against interim Sen. Har Office of Education. daughter. We've even had a aides said he was disdain- ris Wofford. a Democrat ap Tracy-Mumford said it was fit- grandmother graduating with her he legislative branch and pointed by Gov. Robert Casey last ting that President Bush should granddaughter." mve preferred to remain in month. visit Sussex because one out of But even when the adult stud- utive position. "There isn't a person better pre two adults in the county has no ies alone the benefits can spin off wing the death of Heinz in pared." Pennsylvania GOP chair high school diploma. The state- to the rest of the family, she said. shelicopter collision out- man Anne B. Anstine said after wide figure is one out of three. or "We call it double duty benefits iladelphia April 4. White Bush's announcement. 125,000 adults. "That's equivalent when an adult's education is officials. including political Thornburgh. who was elected to the entire work force in Kent passed on to the children and I' Ronald Kaufman. and Pennsylvania governor in 1978 115 and Sussex counties." the director even the grandchildren." Republican leaders urged a moderate Republican. has urgh to run for the sent. moved to the right in the last Id Pennsylvania Republi- deende. would make the best can- He became the Bush adminis- tration's chief spokesman on civil abinet holdover from the rights and crime, advocating days of the Rengan ad- tough anti-erime legislation that ation. Thornburgh has had civil liberturians charged would tenure. often feuding with erode constitutional liberties. 2 Pair moeratic Congress. And he Thornburgh has advised Bush ver regarded an insider at to veto civil rights legislation sh White House. pending in Congress on the aides whom Thornburgh ground it would erente a "law. t to Washington from his yer's bonanza" by making it ense F Pennsylvania governor ier for people 10 file job discrimi- Eyeglasses allv left their Justice De. nation lawsuits. Tickets For $79 on sale! Choose from up to 200 fashionable frames in our Eyelites Collection with clear lightweight single-vision lenses. See optician for full details, frame and lons limitations. Limited time offer. 6 THE NEWS JOURNAL WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 1991 Bush visit seen as well-deserved boost Grad: Grat P. to adult sel By CAROLYN LEWIS "We decided the way to help dropouts was ing at other kinds of jobs, so we offered to put them back in school,' Row recalled. them an hourly rate to teach at the Groves Sussex Bureau reporter FROM PAGE A1 The first six graduates in 1963 and 1964 school instead.' DOVER -- Howard E. Row of Dover, the earned their credits by The program was at success right from the man Tuesday he would not try 68-year-old founder of Delaware's James H. taking correspondence start. Row said. include the prisoners in Ill Groves Adult High School, said Tuesday he courses. Then, with the "The pressure for it came from the com- week's graduation. was elated to learn that President Bush will help of $80,000 funded munity at large. and once we opened. they "We're letting the school h: attend a graduation ceremony in Seaford through the legislature. kept on coming." die this the way they alwa June 11. "It will bring us much-deserved classes were held in bor- Row said in the course of a 30-year career. have that is. with separ national recognition," he said. rowed space up and down a man is lucky if he can do two or three ceremonies. said Castle's Pr Row was assistant superintendent of pub- the state. things that are truly important. "One of the secretary. Elizabeth Bingham. lic instruction when the idea for an adult They drew their teach- things I'm most proud of is the Groves About 3.000 Groves stude high school first surfaced in 1961. It grew ers from the ranks of the school:" he said. will he graduating statewide out of a conference on "Out of School ROW already accredited. Row According to Row. James H. Groves "was high school consists of one sit Youth" organized by then-Gov. Elbert Car- recalled. Delaware's first superintendent of public in- located at six sites "the vel. "We found a lot of them were moonlight- struction. He took office in 1875." statewide system for adult nd tion in the country. accordin Director Frances D. Tracy-M ford. Thornburgh: Quits post Sussex classes are held at Vorational-Technical School U.S. 9 near Georgetown. But JUN 05 '91 PARTY OF DELAWARE to run for U.S. Senate cause the school doesn't has burge enough meeting room. it rented the Senford High Sel auditorium for the ceremony. FROM PAGE A1 partment jobs under a cloud. in The Sussex Tech adult prog focused on Transportation Secre- cluding one who was sentence recently received the "Delay tary Sam Skinner, Missouri Gov. last week to 16 months in prisor Exemplary Adult Education John Ashcroft. former Calif. Gov. for using cocaine and lying about gram Award" from the Dep George Deukmejian and Sen. it on his job application. ment of Public Instruction Warren Rudman. R-N.H. Still. Thornburgh is considered cause it exceeded the natic Thornburgh's decision had been the favorite to win the November criteria established by the anticipated for some time. even election against interim Sen. Har Office of Education. though aides said he was disdain- ris Wofford. a Democrat ap Tracy-Mumford said it was ful of the legislative branch and pointed by Gov. Robert Casey last ting that President Bush she would have preferred to remain in month. visit Sussex because one (11) an executive position. "There isn't a person better pre- two adults in the county Its Following the death of Heinz in pared." Pennsylvania GOP chair- high school diploma. The g a plane-helicopter collision out- man Anne B. Anstine said after wide figure is one out of three side Philadelphia April 4. White Bush's announcement. 125,000 adults. "That's equiva House officials. including political Thornburgh. who was elected to the entire work force in I director Ronald Kaufman. and Pennsylvania governor in 1978 as and Sussex counties." the dire The News Journal/GARY EMEIGH Senate Republican leaders urged a moderate Republican. has Thornburgh to run for the sent. moved to the right in the last Norma Fleming, owner of Norma's Sub Shop, stands next to Wagamon's Pond. and told Pennsylvania Republi- decade. cans he would make the best can- He became the Bush adminis- Milton: Draining of pond didate. tration's chief spokesman on civil A Cabinet holdover from the rights and crime. advocating waning days of the Reagan ad- tough anti-crime legislation that ministration. Thornburgh has had civil libertarians charged would 2 Pa JUN- 5-91 WED 13:49 SUSSEX VO-TECH P.02 For a very long time I have been ashamed to say that I graduated from James H. Groves High School in 1972. Now that I am President and a major stockholder of a corporation that employs over two hundred people, I feel that this is a misconception on my part. I, along with my husband, started cleaning homes together making $50 a week during the tough times in 1980. We had three children at the time with very little money. There were few jobs, and none that paid well without a college degree. We started making over $500 per week in no time and hired our first employees before the year was out. I thought that I could not take care of my family and work the hours I was working. Your school would come to my mind often during those times. I married when I was fifteen and dropped out of school before I had even started high school. After I had our first daughter I was encouraged to go back to school. There was no way I could mentally face the other students in that day and time or financially afford to go back to high school full time. so, at sixteen I held a full time job at a department store and went to James H. Groves four nights a week. My husband was working at a feed mill six days a week, so between the two of us we made it through those two years. The counselors at school were so helpful. They knew it was important that I finish quickly so that I could help support my family. Though there were times that I felt that I couldn't keep going, everyone encouraged, right down to the principal. It was those times that stay with me always. To this day I still do not know how I did it. I do know that after receiving a high school diploma this way, I felt that there was nothing I could not do. That is what has kept me going even when I felt that there was no way I could do everything at once. Because, I had already done everything at once. I went to school, worked full time and took care of my family. I know now that without the support I received at James H. Groves High School I would not have been able to do it. Mid-Atlantic Services is a corporation that specializes in the janitorial cleaning of offices. Our office is in Dover, but we employ throughout all three counties in Delaware. We are one of the largest janitorial contractors in the State of Delaware grossing over a million dollars this past year. This company was started, with the help of my husband, by a graduate of James H. Groves that not only learned math, English, and history, but something more important. I learned that there is nothing I can't do with patience and perseverance. I have found that because of this I encourage anyone that is employed by us to continue their education. We are not able to offer many benefits because we are contractors, but, I encourage and make the time possible for them to continue their education. Rosemary V. Everton, 1972 James H. Groves graduate JUN- 5-91 WED 13:50 SUSSEX VO-TECH Ethel Cook Hill, 79, proudly shows off hor cap and gown and 1989 diploma from James H. Groves High School. 6. discuss High School FRIMPS Estrel stark HIN - Mate " Brinders School Diploma BOB MORNEAU photo Great-grandmother graduates By EILEEN GILLIGAN Holding her diploma in the air, Hill who previously dropped out of school. high school senior. But she graduated in Special to Delmarve Crossroads said, "This in the one thing that I really "In short, I did forget a lot. But I did May with an extra credit boyond the 19 wanted all my life." remember a lot, too,' Hill said. "You required. In her scrapbook, she displays LEWES - Ethel Cook Hill, 79, grudu- She quickly added, "And my class would be surprised what comes back to hor report card from acience cluss, which ated from high school this year. ring," which in the only jewelry she wours you." shows a grade of 94. Now the mother of 10 in encouraging on her hunds. She took all the usual subjects: science, And she hungs the tansol from her mor- all youngeters to finish school - and not Going back to school WIIN the idea of English, history, mathematics. tarboard from her car's rear view mirror, to wait as long as she did to graduate. her son, Cape Henlopen High School aci- "I liked them all but I liked science too. Asked what she would say to teen-ug- [the best]. And my son just happened to Hill thinks frequently of starting col- ers, Hill admonished: "Stay thore. Don't be my teacher. and believe me he didn't lege. "But I just think, 'Who's going to quit. You will never regret staying in show me any partiality. hire an 80-yenr-old woman? school." "This is the one thing that 1 "I forgot one night and I called him She holds & volunteer job with Commu- Hill's schooling was cut short when she really wanted all my life. And Danny," she said of her son, the teacher. nity Action Center of Georgetown. Sev. had to drop out at the age of 14 to help "He turned around and he enid In here, I oral mornings fl. week she helps n bedrid- support herself and her mother in Wil- my class ring." am Mr. Cook.' den woman who lives nearby. mington. She earned nino credits for her life But hur dream in a job 06 a social ETHEL COOK HILL For two years she worked part time experience working with retarded people worker. and went to school part time until she and seven years in the Rehoboth Phar- "I would like to go do something for turned 16 and received her working pn- macy. Her years of living brought extra abused children and senior citizens be- pers, she recalled during on interview in ence teacher Danny Cook. knowledge, too, for example. whon sci- COUNO there's à need for that." Hill said. hor Lowee apartment. "I fought him off for a while but then ence lossons reviewed heart attacks. After raising nine children - one of Then she took business courses at one night sitting here I thought, 'What Hill. who has had two heart attacks, her 10 diod who in turn raised 26 night school bookkeeping, shorthand the heck,' who said. said she know exactly what WILL being grandchildren and six great-grandchil. and general office skills until she mar- Then bugan two-hour, nemiweekly clas- talked about. dron, Hill has maintained a strong con- ried and stopped her formal education, 606 at the Jamos H. Groven High School, "I was scared to death when I took the cern for children that is matched only by utill without a high school diploma. which runs ovening classes for students last test." she said. sounding like any her interest in learning. NEWS JOURNAL June, 1989 1 JAMES H. GROVES ADULT HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM Purpose: The purpose of Groves is to open doors of opportunity for adults and out-of-school youth by enabling them to graduate and improve the quality of their lives. History: James H. Groves Adult High School is a State Board of Education approved and the only statewide Middle States accredited secondary adult high school in the nation. Groves was created by the Legislature in 1964 to provide employment opportunities for those who left school prior to graduation. It was accredited by Middle States in 1984. Eligibility: Individuals 16 years or older and out-of-school are eligible to enroll. The companion Alternative Education Program is for in-school youth 15-21 years of age. Alternative students transfer their credits earned at Groves back to their home high school where they graduate. Requirements: All graduates must have 19 credits with 11 1/2 prescribed by the State. The prescribed credits include: English 4 credits Social Studies 3 credits (includes 1 credit United States History) Mathematics 2 credits Science 2 credits Health 1/2 credit Electives 7 1/2 credits + minimum competencies Earning Credit: There are multiple ways to earn high school credits. Enrolling in and passing a class (with 70% or better grade with less than 6 absences), correspondence study, GED and/or APL testing, life skill testing, employment experience, vocational courses, military courses/training, higher education courses, foreign school courses, community service and prior high school credits are allowable ways to earn credit. An alternative route to achieving the 19 credits is through the GED+ route. The GED plus the following credits must be earned: American Studies (1 credit) Senior English (1 credit) Math (1 credit) Science (1 credit) Health (1/2 credit) Electives (4 1/2 credits) Locations: The Groves High School program is one school located at six sites: Wilmington, Marshallton, Newark, Middletown, Woodside, and Georgetown. Student Activities: Student Government, yearbook, family trips, dinners, newspaper, and commencement are examples of student activities. 2 Graduates: Groves graduated 521 students in June, 1990; one out of 32 graduates in Delaware is a Groves graduate; one out of 15 have attended Groves to acquire credits toward graduation; 815 of the 1050 GED's have been earned through the Groves GED testing centers. Number of Participants: There are more than 1,500 students enrolled annually with a duplicated enrollment by class totaling more than 3,000. Including the alternative program students, Groves had an additional 1,962 enrollments. Demographic Information: 83.4% of the students have family incomes under the state individual average income; 75% intend to improve their economic status as a result of attending Groves. Program Results: Groves graduates are placed in jobs, have a preferred enrollment status by many employers, 31% achieve honor status; 46% intend to continue their education beyond Groves high school. Community Linkages and Public Support: Linkages and collaborative efforts with business and industry and other agencies have been developed. Public awareness of illiteracy and the need for adults to have a high school credential has increased the credibility of the Groves Adult High School Program. The business community has responded positively to Groves Adult High School by: Encouraging unqualified and under-qualified job applicants to obtain a high school credential. Referring applicants directly to a Groves center. Calling Groves centers to announce job openings. Hiring Groves graduates on a "preferred" applicant basis. 3 Structural Organization of Adult Education in Delaware: Adult Basic Education (Federal funds) For adults with less than 8th grade skills Funds are provided to Library Literacy programs, school districts, community based organizations, and community colleges English As A Second Language (Federal funds) For adults who are non-English speakers Funds are provided to school districts, community based organizations and community colleges GED (State and Federal funds) For adults seeking a high school equivalence Funds are provided to school districts, community based organizations and community colleges Groves Adult High School (State funds) For adults seeking a high school diploma Funds are provided to school districts Homeless Adult Education Program (Federal Discretionary funds) For homeless adults provided in partnership with shelters