Hello friends, I received information recently that the American Federation of Teachers has endorsed HiSET, over the GED(r) for students who drop out of high school. This is relevant to our ongoing discussion about the low pass rates for the GED(r) and critical issues around equity. For those who are interested, here's the resolution, "Reclaiming the Promise of GED Fairness in the United States."
I am curious how many states currently offer HiSET as an option. This is not currently an option in PA. For those who have been using HiSET, how does it compare to the old and new GED(r)? What have been the pass rates?
Thanks for adding your comments.
Cheers, Susan
Moderator, Assessment CoP
Comments
Susan and others,
The last time I collected this information was at this time last year. Probably there have been some changes since then, and I would like to know about them, but here's what I have. A few states offer more than one HSE test.
HISET(r)
David J. Rosen
djrosen123@gmail.com
Colleagues,
I have re-organized the list of High School Equivalency (HSE) Exams by state to make it clearer. Please disregard the earlier version. The list now has two parts: 1) Which states are currently offering what HSE exam, and 2) information from Mike Johnson about which states have not yet done a formal procurement process, but may be considering, are planning, or have started one.
This is not yet a final version as I await further comments, but the reorganization should avoid some confusion that the first version may have created.
David J. Rosen
djrosen123@gmail.com
HSE Exam by State 12.29.14
1. Currently states have chosen one or more of three high school equivalency (HSE) exams: CTB/McGraw Hill TASC® (9 states); ETS HiSET® (14 states), and/or GEDTS GED2014® (39 states)
CTB/McGraw Hill TASC® (9 states)
ETS HiSET® (14 states)
GEDTS GED2014® (39 states)
2. Some states have not yet done a formal procurement process, but may be considering, planning, or have started one.
States reviewing options in 2015 or yet to review all options (28 states have not yet done any formal procurement process according to information gathered by Mike Johnson, National Adult Ed Manager for CTB McGraw-Hill's TABE and TASC assessments. Those states highlighted in bold, Mike wrote, have either started or have plans to start a procurement process.
Susan, David and others,
The National Adult Education Professional Development Consortium has a pretty good list of all the states and their current tests at: http://www.naepdc.org/HSE%20Summary%20Updated%2011-24-14%20(1).pdf
Below is a better list specifically of the 20 States that have completed an open competitive bid process to review all 3 HSE options and which test they selected.
AZ – GED
CA – GED, HiSET, TASC
FL – GED
IN – TASC
IA – HiSET
LA – HiSET
MA – HiSET
ME – HiSET
MO – HiSET
MT – HiSET
NC – GED, HiSET, TASC
NH – HiSET
NJ – GED, HiSET, TASC
NM – GED, HiSET
NV – GED, HiSET, TASC
NY – TASC
SC – GED, TASC
WA – GED
WV – TASC
WY – GED, HiSET, TASC
Regards,
Mike Johnson | National Adult Education Manager, CTB
McGraw-Hill Education | 1333 Burr Ridge Pkwy. Burr Ridge, IL 60527
C: 630-995-6712 | mike.johnson@ctb.com
Thanks Mike. Combining your information, mine and NAEPDC's, below is the list I come up with. Anyone have any additions or changes to add?
Of course, some of this may change in 2015 or the years to come. There could even be more tests for states to choose from.
What states use what HSE tests? HiSET®, TASC®, GED®
As of 12/23/14
CTB/McGraw Hill TASC® (9 states)
ETS HiSET® (14 states)
GEDTS GED2014® (40 states)
David J. Rosen
djrosen123@gmail.com
Thanks David and Mike, It's good to have this list, updated as of today.
Cheers, Susan
Moderator, Assessment CoP
David,
Thank you for your additions.
I am of course am biased, so I would add a forth section for states currently using the GED but have a 2015 review planned or have yet to start a competitive review of all available options.
CTB/McGraw Hill TASC® (9 states)
ETS HiSET® (14 states)
GEDTS GED2014® (11 states)
States Reviewing Options in 2015 or yet to review all options (28 states)
[Note: in the original post the heading was "24 states". It should be "28 states"]
Hi Mike,
That fourth section is a great addition. Thanks. It's important evidence that much is still in flux.
David J. Rosen
djrosen123@gmail.com
Hi to all,
I am wondering how do we know that the list of states reviewing their options is accurate?
Meryl Becker-Prezocki
Hello Meryl,
The last group of 28 are the states that have not yet done any formal procurement process (RFP, RFA etc). It is not necessarily saying that all 28 will be starting that process in 2015 the states highlighted in bold are ones that have either started or have plans to start based on information I have gathered.
Is there a list of the similarities and differences between the content of the TASC, HiSet, and GED? I am curious to see a comparison of all three tests as they relate to content. I have read extensively on all three, but a reference sheet would be a great resource as a companion to this list.
Kathy asks a good question. This would, indeed, be a helpful resource for many teachers. Is anyone aware of -- or working on -- or interested in working on -- such a tool?
Susan, Moderator Assessment CoP
Please let me know what you have in mind. At the present time my school is offering HiSET. Other agencies near us are offering TASC and GED. We offered GED in the first part of 2014 and then switched to HiSET.
What criteria will you be looking at and how often would I need to log in?
I look forward to your response.
Susan and all -
I found this chart on New Reader's Press website http://www.newreaderspress.com/HSEcomparison.aspx
High School Equivalent Assessment ComparisonNew Readers Press's comparison chart of the new high school equivalency tests (GED, HiSET, TASC), being brought to market in January 2014.
GED HiSET TASC Publisher Pearson ETS/Iowa Testing Programs CTB/McGraw Hill Subject areas- Reading
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
Scoring Scores will be returned within 3 hours of completing each module. Multiple-choice sections of computer-based tests will receive immediate, unofficial scores.- Instant score reports will be sent for computer-based tests.
- Paper-based and writing tests are sent to CTB/McGraw-Hill and returned within 10 days.
Test Items- Multiple-choice items in all content areas
- An extended writing prompt for the writing assessment (evidence-based writing)
- Gridded-response items in mathematics
Paper/Computer Computer based Both paper- and computer-based testing formats- Paper-and-pencil
- Online
Access State approved testing centers State decision—open Current testing locations Launch date January 2, 2014 January 2, 2014 January 2014 Cost $80–$120 $50 $52 Retesting Two retests Two retests in one calendar year Two retestsWere you looking for more specifics on the topics of the items?
Miriam Burt, SME, Adult ELL CoP
Here are a few links to correct some of the outdated information on the New Readers "Cost" tab:
GED and HiSet fees range widely depending on subsidies in each state, or lack thereof, and on other user fees.
For example in Missouri: HiSet can cost $95 if paid for upfront, but will cost $32 per test if paid one at a time ($32 x 5 +$160) Link to HiSet page: http://hiset.ets.org/requirements/mo. New Hampshire has a very similar cost structure. Other information on state fees can be found on each state's HiSet page at http://hiset.ets.org/requirements
Also, GED fees currently can range from about $40 (Maryland) to more than $120 total depending on state subsidies and additional state fees. State policies can be found at: http://www.gedtestingservice.com/testers/jurisdiction-testing-policies
Kathy, the link below is to a page with a matrix across some broad categories for all three tests, and dates from this earlier this Spring. Of course some of these things depend on policies and how they're implemented in each state. For instance in at least one state test-takers must pay and register for testing online for HiSet then also pay in person a fee to the testing center before testing. And for GED test fees, whether a person has the option to pay the testing center in cash/check/etc for a voucher code instead of using a debit/credit card online depends on if that test center or adult ed program offers that option.
http://www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/competitive-landscape
Pennsylvania should be added as a GED2014® state, raising the total for that test to 12. Thanks to JoAnn Weinberger in Pennsylvania for catching this omission.
David J. Rosen
djrosen123@gmail.com
I am not aware of Pennsylvania doing any sort of competitive bid/review process yet so that is why they are listed in the group of 28. The Group of 28 all use the GED as a carryover from the previous program whereas the GED, HiSET and TASC lists are specific to states that have completed a competitive review and procurement bid process.
Thanks so much, David, for putting this together in one place. I've already shared this information with the division at CAL that helps overseas NGOs provide cultural orientation to refugees prior to their arrival in the US. Many of the refugees are interested in getting their HSE, and if they know where they are going, they can now also know the tests used in that state.
Thanks again.
Miriam Burt
SME, Adult ELL