BizNews FEATURE
State funds, partnership enable high school equivalency diploma program to expand By Lauren Anderson, staff writer IN THREE YEARS, 1,300 more people in Racine, Walworth and Kenosha counties could have their high school equivalency diploma in hand and be better positioned to fill pressing worker shortages throughout the region. That’s the goal of a growing partnership among Gateway Technical College, YWCA Southeast Wisconsin, the Southeastern Wisconsin Workforce Development Board and Higher Expectations for Racine County, which was recently awarded $5.6 million from Gov. Tony Evers’ administration as part of a $60 million statewide workforce innovation initiative. The grant allows YWCA and Gateway’s existing HSED program – which has graduated roughly 500 people over the past four years – to expand its scope and provide more support for graduates in their transition to higher-earning jobs or continuing on to higher education. YWCA launched its HSED program in Milwaukee in 2015. For decades prior to that, the Milwaukee-based organization had operated a GED program. But in 2014, a new, more rigorous and computer-based GED exam was released, and scores plummeted nationally. YWCA had been graduating 300 to 400 people annually through its program. Following the test change, that number dwindled to just a handful. “The cost was huge because, without that foundational credential, you’re stuck,” said Jennifer de Montmollin, chief program officer for YWCA. “Not only are there many jobs you can’t access, but if you want to go to a tech school or a four-year or even take a training program, you need that foundational credential.” The organization worked with the Wisconsin Department 12 / BizTimes Milwaukee JANUARY 24, 2022
of Public Instruction to create a four-month program that would help people get their HSED (an alternative to the GED), developing curriculum that was contextualized for adult learners and partnering with instructors from Milwaukee Area Technical College. Leaders soon discovered the benefits of having cohorts of students go through the program together rather than working oneon-one with a mentor through a GED program. “What we didn’t understand would be so powerful is that everybody coming out of these first couple of graduating classes said, ‘This is like family. You all have become like family,’” de Montmollin said, adding that the sense of connection led to a greater commitment to the class. “… Not only are they supporting each other academically, … they’re also supporting each other with attendance. It produced an 87% graduation rate.” In 2017, responding to a push in Racine County to get more residents credentialed with their GED, YWCA advocated local leaders consider using the organization’s HSED model. YWCA didn’t have the funding to expand its program southward, but de Montmollin said leaders were confident it would work out. “Because it was so successful here in Milwaukee, we knew it would be there as well – that, if we built it, essentially, they would come,” she said. YWCA found a partner in Gateway Technical College, with the tech college providing instructors and the YWCA providing wraparound services to help address barriers to students’ completion of the class. In August 2017, the program graduated an inaugural class of
Kalies Major, pictured with her son at her HSED graduation ceremony two weeks after giving birth. Scott Fricke graduated from YWCA’s HSED program in December.
13. That number has since grown to 500. Despite the pandemic, which forced classes to go virtual, the program saw a 27% increase in graduates from March 2020 to 2021. Students have ranged in age from 18 to 72; the majority have been women. “Many of the people that we serve, at the time that they were in high school originally, stuff happened,” de Montmollin said. “And in many cases, it was dealing with very adult-level responsibilities at a very young age, and the need to deal with that got in the way of progressing with school.” Many graduates have ended up becoming evangelists for the program, encouraging family members and friends to also get their HSED. One cohort included a family of five, including multiple generations, de Montmollin said.
The efficiency of the program – at four months, compared to traditional year-long GED programs – works well for students who are ready for the condensed format, said Cyndean Jennings, dean of the School of Pre-College and Momentum Programs and dean of Racine campus affairs at Gateway. It also benefits employers, said Michelle Blanchard, project director for the Southeastern Wisconsin Workforce Development Board. “It makes a huge difference. We have employers right now that are screaming for individuals who have the minimum qualifications to take their openings,” Blanchard said. “So, having folks who have that baseline educational level as quickly as possible in our region helps to fill some of those opportunities.” Scott Fricke, a contractor of 30 years, was referred to YWCA’s
