Preparing for Changes in the GED

Preparing for Changes in the GED - In 2014 the GED test and its administration at the federal, state and local level will change – impacting some 25.7 million people between ages 18 and 64 and who are without a high school diploma or equivalent. This is the largest overhaul of the GED, the most widely recognized alternative to a high school diploma, in seven decades. One major change includes a redesign of the subject-matter tests to incorporate college readiness standards that are aligned with common core standards. The test will also move to a computerized-only format. In a recent report, the Working Poor Families Project outlines five primary issues that states should consider as they implement the new GED, including: test, preparation and instruction costs; transitioning to a computerized version; availability of testing centers; and the testing content and impact on current GED preparation programs. Youth and young adults account for a substantial number of the participants served in the adult education system, which includes GED preparation and testing at the state and local levels. While there is much controversy about the value of a GED versus a high school diploma – in communities of color and high poverty areas – the GED may be the only viable option available to allow individuals, especially disconnected youth, to access employment and postsecondary pathways. The specific implications of the GED overhaul on African Americans and other people of color are yet unknown. However, in the coming year, CLASP has made this a priority issue and we are committed to exploring these implications with our national and community partners.