SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources:
State looking to terminate decades-long agreement with GED test vendor
By Tom Chorneau
Monday, March 11, 2013
For the first time in 40 years, students taking the general educational development test as a pathway out of high school are likely to have a new exam administrator by 2014.
As a result of a corporate shuffle, the American Council on Education – which has owned the general education assessment used in California since 1974 – has assigned the testing services to a new firm operated in partnership with Pearson PLC – the London based publishing and education giant.
But the new firm, GED Testing Service, has placed conditions on states wishing to continue with its testing programs – some of which are likely to cost a lot more money. As a result, state schools chief Tom Torlakson will be asking the California State Board of Education this week for permission to seek out other options.
The general educational test is taken by about 50,000 students in California each year. It is by students in alternative education and those who left school without graduating and wish to attain a certificate with some equivalency to a diploma. Also, anybody may take the exam to indicate school completion within 3 months of his or her 18th birthday.
The test is typically used by adult learners, especially those in the criminal justice system.
Under California law, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction is required to issue a high school equivalency certificate to qualified students who pass the general educational test. The equivalency certificate is recognized under
