LRSD News

Students from 17 different countries currently attend the LRSD's English as a Second Language class at the Adult Education Center. These students shared their culture, traditions and even food at the 2nd annual ESL International Day on April 27. Students celebrated their heritage and cultures by cooking food dishes, wearing traditional clothing, singing native songs and displaying artifacts from their native countries.

Oscar Robles of Mexico prepared a slide show about Mexico in general and Guadalajara in particular. Xin Mei Zhu performed "Welcome to Bejing" in her native tongue, Chinese, and a group of students from Mexico, led by Alejandra Del Toro, sang "Mexico Lindo Y Querido." Jeanine Wu created a booklet on the origin of Taiwan and the native people of that country. Douglas Diaz highlighted the ceremony by giving a speech to thank the Little Rock School District’s Adult Education Center for its support of the students, and contribution to harmony among people and cultures. The celebration concluded with a buffet feast prepared by students and staff.

The Adult Education Department organized this celebration "to recognize and honor the many different cultures that are a part of the Little Rock School District," said Linda Kindy, Adult Education Coordinator. She hopes that this annual event will motivate other non-native English speakers to continue their education or improve their English language skills.

Hector Fernandez, a student at the LRSD’s Adult Education Center, was honored on April 21 during a ceremony at the state capitol. Hector’s score on the General Educational Development, or GED®, ranked him as the highest scorer (tied) of the 7,539 who were awarded the Arkansas High School Diploma in 2010.

“In 2010, 8,783 individuals took the GED® Tests, and 7,539 passed, which reflects an 86 percent pass rate in Arkansas,” said Department of Career Education GED Program Manager Janice Hanlon. The national rate stands at about 70 percent.

Hector scored 768 out of a possible 800 on the GED. His future goals include furthering his education in the field of computer science and owning a company that provides information technology to other companies and local government entities.

The top 10 qualifying GED scorers will be awarded $1,000 four-year Second Effort scholarships from the Department of Higher Education.

All 50 states use GED tests to measure academic knowledge and award equivalency diplomas to residents who did not complete high school. Arkansas is one of only a few states nationwide that does not charge a fee to take the test.

"We are very honored to have the top scorer in the state as a student at the Adult Education Center," said Linda Kindy, LRSD Adult Education Assistant Coordinator. "Hopefully, [Hector's achievement] will motivate others in the state who do not have a high school diploma to earn their GED."

In photo, from left: Ann Henry, LRSD GED Examiner; Hector Fernandez; Hector's wife, Jacquelina Valenzuela; and Linda Kindy, Adult Education Asst. Coordinator.