COVINGTON, PORTERDALE, Ga. - Action Ministries, Newton County Community Partnership and Newton READS have partnered together with Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) to provide free Adult Basic Education/GED classes.

The classes take place at two separate locations with daytime or evening options available. Classes take place either Monday and Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Covington First U1 p.m. Methodist Church, at 1113 Conyers St., in Covington, or Monday and Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pathway Community Church, at 33 North Broad St., in Porterdale.

Mollie Melvin, program director for Newton County Community Partnership, said in 2015 almost 16 percent of Newton County adults did not have a high school diploma.

The classes target students 16 years and older who are not currently eligible to graduate with a high school diploma.

“A very basic assessment is given the first session the student attends,” Melvin said. “If the assessment indicates that the student has sufficient skills to attempt the GED they are directed to Georgia Piedmont Technical College, who manages the testing process for our community. If the student does not have sufficient skills to be successful on the GED test right away, they are assigned a tutor who works with them until they assess as read.

“Mentoring is available twice a week at each location and there is no set start and end date for the program. Students can enter the program at any time since the tutoring is individualized.”

If a student misses three tutoring sessions in a row without notifying the program coordinator, they must wait three months before re-entering the program, Melvin said.

“With programs in the morning, afternoon and evening we hope to meet most students’ scheduling needs, but we are willing to schedule additional programs as sites and volunteer tutors become available,” Melvin said.

Interested participants can start anytime by calling 770-786-0807 to register, or emailing nccp@bellsouth.net.