September 16, 2004

BOISE STATE RECEIVES $2.3 MILLION GRANT FOR GED PROGRAM FOR SEASONAL AND MIGRANT FARM WORKERS

Boise State University is the recipient of a five-year $2.3 million grant to assist seasonal and migrant farm workers or their children achieve the GED, a high school equivalency certification, university officials announced today. The program, part of the federally funded High School Equivalency Program, or HEP, works with individuals from across Idaho. Boise State’s grant application was the highest-scored proposal in the nation, said Scott Willison, director of Boise State’s Center for Multicultural and Educational Opportunities, and a professor of education. Students accepted into Boise State’s HEP program range from ages 16 to 60. They receive free instruction and assessments, along with all educational materials and, when appropriate, either residence hall or travel expenses. In the past decade, more than 1,000 students have been served by Boise State’s HEP program. Students who participate in the residential program on the Boise State campus live in residence halls and attend GED classes either in Spanish or English. There are also commuter programs in Burley, Twin Falls, American Falls and Canyon County. It can take people anywhere from two months to two years to earn their GED, said Willison. Students must pass tests in American government, social studies, science, reading, writing and mathematics. According to Willison, funding for the HEP grant was especially competitive this year because of other federal funding priorities; representatives from the U.S. Department of Education told applicants that as a result many of the HEP program across the country would not be funded. Willison said he was concerned because his program was competing with programs in Florida, Texas and California, all of which have large numbers of migrant workers. “The program is the major source of support for seasonal farmworkers who receive a GED, and had the program not been funded there would have been a big void,” Willison said. “The funding levels were lower than we were hoping for. However, we are thrilled to be able to continue to provide services.” Individuals interested in participating in the HEP program and working toward their GED should contact the program’s recruiter Ileana Cordova at 208 426-1364. Contact: Scott Willison, College of Education, 426-3292, swillis@boisestate.edu  Michelle Kelley, director, HEP program, 426-3095, mkelley@boisestate.edu  Media Contact: Janelle Brown, communications and marketing, (208) 426-1790, jbrown2@boisestate.edu