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Vol. 43, No. 15
March 13, 2009
DESE Expands GED Testing to Meet Demand by Adult Job-Seekers
In response to rising demand among displaced workers for a certificate of high school equivalency, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is doubling the number of GED testing dates at its Jefferson City office through May.
The test of General Educational Development (GED®) typically is offered twice a month at DESE’s offices in Jefferson City. March and April are the normal peak-demand months for GED test-takers, and extra testing sessions are usually added to meet that demand. Last year (2007-08), more than 12,000 Missourians took the GED exam.
This year, however, many of Missouri’s 27 local GED testing centers are reporting larger numbers of displaced workers wanting to take the test. As a result, some out-state sites have backlogs for May testing dates, according to state education officials.
“We are trying to provide the opportunity to test as soon as people are ready. Many candidates may have been putting this off, but now they really need the GED and don’t want to delay,” said Bill Poteet, director of GED testing for the state education agency.
“People who have recently lost jobs are highly motivated. They are competing for jobs, and they realize they must have at least a GED or high school diploma,” said Ron Jewell, director of the state’s adult education and literacy (AEL) program.
Jewell oversees 44 local AEL sites in Missouri that offer free services to eligible individuals as they prepare to take the GED exam. In recent years, some AEL programs have had declining enrollment, but the numbers have spiked this year, he said.
The typical GED candidate is usually about 24 years old, but the displaced workers coming to AEL programs now are older. For adults who have not been in a classroom in years, Jewell said, the prospect of sitting down to take the five-part GED exam can be intimidating.
“Most people who have been out of school for awhile would find taking the GED test tough to do without some help,” Jewell said. AEL programs give adults an individualized assessment of their academic knowledge and skills along with preparation for the GED test.
There are several no-cost options for adult students who enroll in an AEL program, including individual or group instruction, or an online class for GED preparation at home. For adults who just need to brush-up their academic skills, the DVD-based “GED Fast Track” program may help. Some students require more intensive assistance over a longer period of time.
Individuals planning to take the GED exam must file an application and a $20 fee with the state office before scheduling a test date. Another $20 administration fee is required at the time of testing. Applications to take the GED test are valid for two years.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education cautions Missourians who are thinking about taking the GED exam to work with AEL programs in their communities and to avoid online preparation services that charge fees. The exam may only be taken at a state-approved site, Poteet said.
For more information about GED testing or AEL services in Missouri, call 573-526-4822.
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Quick Facts about the GED® in Missouri – 2007-08
The test of General Educational Development (GED) is developed and published by the American Council on Education. The five-part exam covers reading, writing, math, science and social studies. Candidates may take the test multiple times, and they are only required to retake the portions that they have not already passed.
| Number of Missouri candidates tested | 12,207 |
| Number of GED certificates awarded | 9,758 |
| Pass rate | 79.9% |