DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O.
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 68
March 23, 2007
INFORMATIONAL
|
TO: |
Division
Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Billy K. Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent
of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
Revisions
to General Educational Development (GED) Testing
Eligibility, effective July 1, 2006 |
Effective July 1,
2006, there were changes related to eligibility for GED testing based on action
by the 2006 General Assembly. The
amended section of the Code of Virginia (22.1-254) may be found at http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+22.1-254. Also, revised Regulations Governing General
Educational Development Certificates (8 VAC 20-360) became effective on March
15, 2005. These regulations are
available at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Instruction/Adult/pdfs/ged_regs_2005.pdf.
The purpose of this follow-up memorandum is to clarify language related to home
schooled students who are GED candidates and to update contact information.
The eligibility
guidelines addressed in this memorandum are confined to the age and residence
of GED testing applicants. Applicants
must meet all other eligibility guidelines of the GED Testing Service of the
American Council on Education. All
previous superintendent’s memoranda addressing this
issue should be disregarded.
An
applicant must be at least eighteen years of age and not currently enrolled in public
education or otherwise meeting the school attendance requirements set forth in
section 22.1-254 of the Code of Virginia.
Under special circumstances the age limit may be lowered to sixteen
years for applicants 1) who have been instructed by their parents in their home
pursuant to §22.1-254.1 and who have successfully completed such
home school instruction; 2) who have been excused from school attendance
pursuant to subsection B and C of §22.1-254; 3) for whom an Individual Student
Alternative Education Plan (ISAEP) has been granted pursuant to subsection D of
§22.1-254; 4) who
are housed in adult correctional facilities and who are actively pursuing a GED
certificate but who have not been granted an ISAEP pursuant to subsection D of
§ 22.1-254; 5) who have been expelled from school pursuant to §§ 22.1-277.06
through 22.1-277.08; or 6) who are required by court order to participate in
the GED testing program. Under no circumstances is an individual
under the age of sixteen eligible for testing.
A summary of the rules for underage eligibility in categories 1-6
follows:
1) Home Schooled
Applicants under eighteen years of age, but at least sixteen years of
age, must provide the GED examiner with documentation signed by the
superintendent/designee certifying that the applicant has completed a home instruction program.
2) Released from Compulsory
Attendance
Applicants under eighteen years of age, but at least sixteen years of
age, must provide the GED examiner with documentation signed by the division
superintendent/designee certifying that the applicant has been released from
compulsory attendance by the local school board.
Emancipated and adjudicated minors are subject to the compulsory
attendance law, unless released by the local school board.
3) Alternative Education
Students for whom an
ISAEP has been granted may take the GED Tests when the division
superintendent/designee provides the GED examiner with the completed GED
Options for Selected Students Enrolled in Secondary Schools GED Testing
Authorization Form. ISAEP students must achieve a minimum score of 450 on
each of the subtests of the Official GED Practice Test before this form
may be submitted.
4) Adult
Correctional Facility
Applicants under eighteen years of age, but at least sixteen years of
age, must provide the GED examiner with documentation signed by the Department
of Correctional Education that the individual is actively pursuing a GED
certificate.
5) Expelled from School
Applicants under eighteen years of age, but at least sixteen years of
age, must provide the GED examiner with documentation signed by the division
superintendent/designee certifying that the applicant has been expelled from
school.
6) Court Ordered
Applicants
under eighteen years of age, but at least sixteen
years of age, must provide the GED examiner with documentation signed by
the judge ordering the applicant to participate in the GED testing program.
GED testing
candidates are not required to be
An individual
must make application prior to testing and provide photograph-bearing
identification as defined by the GED Testing Service at registration and at the
time of testing.
Please direct
questions to Debbie Bergtholdt (Debbie.Bergtholdt@doe.virginia.gov),
GED state administrator, Office of Adult Education and Literacy, at (804)
371-2333.
BKC/EMH/gjm