CONTACT:
Christopher Turner
(202) 939-9720
chris_turner@ace.nche.edu
GED Testing Sees Its Highest Test-Taker Increase in Seven Years, New
Report Finds
Washington, DC (Aug. 4,
2008)—GED Testing Service™ today announced that the number of
adults who took the GED Tests in 2007 rose to nearly 729,000, and almost
a half million adults passed the test battery during the same period.
According to the 2007 GED® Testing Program Statistical
Report, this is the highest annual number of adults who have tested
and the highest number who passed the test battery since 2001. Just over
714,000 adults tested in 2006, for an increase of almost
15,000.
“We
applaud the more than 451,000 adults who passed the GED Tests in
2007,” said Sylvia E. Robinson, American Council on Education
assistant vice president and executive director of the GED Testing
Service. “This report demonstrates real progress in our efforts to
serve more adults who do not have a traditional high school diploma and
to increase the opportunities for adults to enter into the national work
force through continuing education.”
ACE President
Molly Corbett Broad, added, “Inasmuch as knowledge-based jobs have
become the cornerstone of the U.S. economy, the need for an educated
work force cannot be overstated. It is projected that 90 percent of the
fastest growing occupations through the year 2014 will require
postsecondary education. The American Council on Education is proud that
its GED testing program can provide a powerful second chance for
individuals who are without a high school credential.”
U.S. programs
that significantly increased the amount of adult testers in 2007 were
Indiana, Mississippi, Connecticut, Nevada and Florida. Each state
reported at least a 10 percent increase. Additionally, 10 states
reported an above-average passing rate of 85 percent or higher in 2007:
Iowa, Delaware, Kansas, Vermont, Wyoming, Alaska, Idaho, Maine, North
Carolina and Oregon. Administrators in these states credit flexible
program schedules and test preparation materials such as free practice
tests, one-on-one preparation and the Official GED Practice Test (OPT)
as the essential tools for facilitating higher pass rates.
“Association with the Adult Education Program in North
Carolina's Community College System has significantly improved our pass
rates in our GED testing program,” stated Lou Ann Parker, North
Carolina GED administrator. “By offering classes Monday through
Sunday, in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings at each of our 58
community colleges throughout the state, we can meet the needs of
candidates with different schedules. We also require the student to take
and pass the OPT before attempting the GED Tests.”
Executive
Director Robinson added, “Even with the increase in testing
numbers and pass rates, there are still many challenges ahead as we move
forward with the goals of our FY2010 strategic plan, which include
working to increase the number of adults who earn their GED
credentials.”
The 2000 U.S.
Census data indicates that more than 30 million adults—more than
16 percent—of the U.S. population are without a high school
credential. A separate report produced by Education Week estimated
that more than 1 million students would fail to graduate high school in
the 2006-07 school year.
The 2007
GED® Testing Program Statistical Report is available as a
complimentary PDF download at www.GEDtest.org and is also available
for $25.00 per copy plus shipping and handling from the ACE Fulfillment
Service at (301) 632-6757. Orders can also be placed on the ACE web site
at www.acenet.edu/bookstore.
The General
Educational Development Testing Service™ (GEDTS) is a program of
the American Council on Education (ACE) which develops, delivers, and
safeguards the GED Tests, setting the policy for and ensuring compliance
of GED test battery administration. GED testing is administered by each
of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, the Canadian provinces
and territories, the U.S. insular areas, U.S. military and federal
correctional institutions. Each jurisdiction manages its own GED testing
program.
Founded in
1918, ACE is the major coordinating body for all the nation's higher
education institutions,representing more than 1,600 college and
university presidents, and more than 200 related associations,
nationwide. It seeks to provide leadership and a unifying voice on key
higher education issues and influence public policy through advocacy,
research, and program initiatives.
###
Frequently Asked Questions about GED
testing
What does “GED” stand for?
GED – A trademarked acronym used for the General
Educational Development Tests, a battery of examinations administered by
states and jurisdictions to measure the skills and knowledge similar to
a high school course of study. GED graduates earn a GED credential. The
type of credential issued, diploma or certificate, varies by
state.
When and why did GED® testing
begin?
At the request of the military, the GED Tests were first developed in
1942 to help returning World War II veterans finish their high school
studies and reenter civilian life. The GED Tests first became available
to civilians in 1947 when the state of New York implemented a program to
award its high school diploma to those who passed.
What are the GED Tests?
The Tests of General Education Development (GED Tests) are designed to
measure the skills and knowledge equivalent to a high school course of
study. The five subject area tests which comprise the GED test battery
are Mathematics; Language Arts, Reading; Language Arts, Writing
(including essay); Science; and Social Studies.
Who
produces the GED Tests?
The GED Tests are developed, delivered, and safeguarded by content
specialists, researchers, psychometricians, and other staff of the
General Educational Development Testing Service™ (GEDTS), a
nonprofit program of the American Council on Education. The tests are
owned by GEDTS/ACE.
How
does the GED testing program work?
The GED testing program is an international partnership involving the
GED Testing Service, each of the 50 U.S. states and the District of
Columbia, the Canadian provinces and territories, the U.S. insular
areas, the U.S. military and federal correctional institutions, and the
veterans administration hospitals.
GEDTS
establishes the test administration procedures and passing standard. All
jurisdictions administer the GED Tests and award their high school
credentials to adults who meet the GED Tests passing standards and any
other additional jurisdictional requirements.
How
many people take the GED Tests?
In 2007, more than 728,000 adults worldwide took some portion of the GED
test battery. Of that total, more than 614,000 (86 percent) completed
the battery of five tests and 451,000 earned passing scores on the
five-test battery.
What does it mean to “pass” the GED
Tests?
In order to pass the GED Tests, an examinee must have a
combined passing score of 2250; in addition, each individual subject
area test score must be 410 or greater. Those passing the GED Test have
demonstrated a level of knowledge equal to or greater than 40 percent of
graduating high school seniors.
What
should I tell someone who's interested in GED testing?
Please direct GED candidates to our website at www.GEDtest.org or to the GED
hotline at 800-626-9433.
| ged ace american council on education |
|
