For the second time since 2014, the Kentucky Department of Adult Education ranked the Simpson County Adult Education Program as the state’s top adult education program.

“If we didn’t have the support of the community, we wouldn’t have the traffic that comes through our doors,” said Ray Haddix, coordinator of the center.

A news release said the program ranked first in measurable skill gains, seventh in academic performance and third in percentage of GED diploma goal, making it the top adult education program for the 2016-17 program year.

The Simpson County Adult Education Skills U program, which offers free adult education services, ranked first in 2014, second in 2015, third in 2016 and first again in 2017, according to the release.

Haddix credited the program’s success to its partnerships with businesses, Simpson County Schools and the Simpson County Detention Center. He also said the program is committed to working with people’s schedules if they aren’t available during normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. between Monday and Friday.

“We don’t turn anyone away,” he said.

There are no charges for services the program provides, including testing for a GED diploma, Haddix said. On average, about 125 people take GED courses from the program, which also assists those seeking employment and remedial courses to improve their college entrance exam scores.

Although the program doesn’t recruit students from outside Simpson County, it doesn’t turn them away either, Haddix said.

Brian Becker, director of adult education at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College, manages adult education programs in Simpson, Barren, Warren and Metcalfe counties. He described the Simpson County program’s staff as extremely dedicated in their work with students.

“We’re just extremely proud of the hard work that they put in,” he said.

Becker said the four county programs are constantly trying to make a lasting impact on the people they serve.

“We’re not the end game,” he said of the programs’ students. “We’re the place that can launch them to more opportunity.”

– Follow education reporter Aaron Mudd on Twitter @BGDN_edbeat or visit bgdailynews.com.