The number of students taking the General Educational Development exam through NPCC is on the rise. Sign-ups declined dramatically last year after changes were made to the exam by the GED Testing Service.

“The changes went into effect in January of 2014, and it was a couple months after that before we had anyone come in to test,” said Kathy Fickenscher, GED chief examiner at NPCC. “In 2013, we had 77 completers and in 2014, there were 12.”

Among other things, the exam became entirely computer-based, and the number of tests was reduced from five to four as the reading and writing sections were combined into “Reasoning Through Language Arts.” The essay component was dropped altogether.

People were no longer required to be a resident of Nebraska to take the GED in the state, and the wait time for scores changed from up to two weeks to within 24 hours.

“The new version also incorporates more of the high-level thinking and constructed response type answers,” Fickenscher said. “In the past, the science and social studies tests were multiple choice. They are not that way anymore.”

She and Robin Rankin, area director of adult education for Mid-Plains Community College, believe a combination of fear of the new tests and the fact that computer skills are needed to take them contributed to the decline in people signing up for the exam.

“There was a real push from people who wanted to take the GED in 2013, before the changes went into effect,” said Rankin. “As a result, we graduated more than we normally would have. Only 400-some passed the GED in Nebraska last year – down from nearly 2000 in 2012.”

There are still misconceptions that the exam can be taken on a home computer and that all testing sites are valid – including scams advertised online.

“There are a lot of bogus sites out there,” said Fickenscher. “Testing has to be done at an approved testing center, of which we have two in our MPCC service area – one at McCook Community College and one at NPCC. The one at NPCC is the only certified testing site in North Platte.”

She has noticed some positive aspects to the exam changes.

“I think the GED Testing Service is on target by coming up with a product that demonstrates people are college and career – ready,” said Fickenscher. “In the past, ‘GED’ kind of had that negative stigma attached to it. We have seen new names showing up on our testing calendar, so we have more people showing interest. Yesterday, three people inquired about taking the GED.”

According to Rankin, only a small percentage of colleges and universities won’t accept a GED in place of a high school diploma. There aren’t many employers that don’t require at least one of the documents.

Help, including computer skills training, is available to those who want to pursue a GED. Rankin’s department offers free practice tests to those enrolled in adult education classes through MPCC. She can be reached at (308) 535-3637.

People can also pay for practice tests online at https://ged.com. Those outline specific areas that need to be improved and let the test taker know if he or she is likely to pass the real exam.

“I would definitely encourage people who are considering taking the GED to do it,” said Rankin. “It’s more than a test. It’s the first step to building better lives for themselves and their families.”

• Aaron  Lee O’Brien, 24, Wallace NE and Lauren Elizabeth Carl, 22, North Platte

 

• Andrew Scott Peters, 32, North Platte and Tara Kay Maunder, 27, North Platte

 

• Shaquille Michael Merksick, 21, North Platte and Shirley Ann Keck, 22, North Platte

 

• Joshua Jacob Malsbury, 26, North Platte and Lindsey Elizabeth Wernsman, 26, North Platte

 

• Ryan Glenn Smith, 26, Tyron NE and Christy Ann Kathman, 26, North Platte

 

• Joshua Ryan Grauerholz, 20, Wallace NE and Chelsea Marie Sowle, 20, Wallace NE

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Officials are investigating a suspicious package found on the second floor of the Nebraska Capitol.

The item found Tuesday afternoon delayed the start of afternoon debate in the Legislature.

Nearby offices were cleared and Capitol staff members were keeping onlookers restricted to the northern side of the building. The area outside the main legislative chambers, beneath the Capitol rotunda, was also blocked off.

Patrick O’Donnell, the clerk of the Legislature, says the item is a briefcase left unattended with some things that “don’t look quite right.”

The North Platte Area Chamber of Commerce is warning local businesses after counterfeit bills were passed in the North Platte area.

Officials say at least one bank in North Platte has received counterfeit bills in the past week.

The bills are said to be of very good quality, and have been seen in both $1 and $100 denominations.

The Chamber is telling businesses who handle cash to be aware of the situation and be vigilant.

If you have any information, or believe you have received a counterfeit bill, contact local law enforcement immediately.

 

ALLIANCE, Neb. (AP) — The deputy county attorney for Cheyenne County has been named county attorney for Box Butte County.

Box Butte County commissioners swore in 55-year-old Charlotte Hood on Monday.

Hood will be taking over next month from Joe Stecher, who became interim county attorney after Kathleen Hutchinson’s resignation in January. He’d been offered the job but declined, citing personal circumstances.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska governor’s official state website is sporting a new look.

Gov. Pete Ricketts unveiled the redesign on Tuesday. The new design features his office’s latest press releases and newspaper columns as well as well as Facebook and Twitter feeds.

The redesign was done by Nebraska Interactive LLC, a company that manages and maintains Nebraska’s state agency websites.

The website includes a constituent services tab that allows users to contact the governor, apply for a state board or commission appointment, or request a greeting from the governor.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Farmers are expected to plant a record number of soybean acres this year, but less corn as that grain’s profit potential remains low due to slumping prices

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s first report of the new crop season says farmers will plant 84.6 million acres in soybeans, up 1 percent from last year’s previous record of 83.7 million acres.

Corn planting will fall to 89.2 million acres, down 2 percent from last year. It’s the third year of acreage decline.

Soybeans are favored because they cost less to grow and prices haven’t fallen as quickly as corn.

The report is based on 84,000 farmer surveys completed in early March.

The Lexington Police Department and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating an arson fire at a local business.

According to police, the fire occurred in the early morning hours of March 29 at Roof Pros.

Authorities say they have developed several leads in the case, but are asking the public to come forward with any information.

Citizens with any information, or who observed anything suspicious on the morning of the fire, are urged to contact the LPD at 308-324-2317.

Tips can also be left on the LPD Facebook page.

Troop E- Scottsbluff will once again draw attention to the dangers of impaired driving during a series of special enforcements designed to reduce the potential for serious injury and fatality crashes.

Beginning in April and continuing through June, troopers in conjunction with the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office will conduct nighttime vehicle checks and high visibility patrols in and around Scotts Bluff County.

In 2013, five people died in alcohol-related crashes in Scotts Bluff County.  In 2014 that number dropped to two alcohol-related fatalities.

“We’ve seen positive outcomes as a result of these extended enforcements, but that’s not enough,” said Captain Mike Gaudreault, Commander Troop E- Scottsbluff.  “As long as lives continue to be lost as a result of impaired driving, we will continue to increase our efforts to raise awareness and take impaired drivers off of our roadways.”

A $14,250 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety will help pay for overtime hours during the special enforcement.