DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION
P.O.
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 131
June 30, 2006
INFORMATIONAL
|
TO: |
Division Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Patricia Wright Acting Superintendent of Public
Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
General
Educational Development (GED) Testing
Eligibility, effective July 1, 2006 |
Effective July 1,
2006, there will be 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?061+ful+CHAP0335+pdf. Also, new 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.
This memorandum will clarify GED testing eligibility issues related to both of
these changes.
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 superintendents 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 an approved
home instruction program.
Any
additional written requirements promulgated by the local school board for
applicants in this category shall be binding.
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 Robert W. MacGillivray
(Robert.Macgillivray@doe.virginia.gov),
GED administrator, Office of Adult Education and Literacy, at (804) 371-2333.
PIW/RM/gjm