Good morning. I'm sharing new information and resources now available about the GEDTS recommended changes to the performance levels, including the passing score and a new level for college credit eligibility. Please help share this information with adult educators as the details of the implementation vary by state, and the information will be critical to help inform and counsel adult learners in GED-offering states.
Below is the full email announcement delivered this morning to adult educators signed up for these GED Testing Service alerts. To quickly see the available resources, including educator and test-taker FAQs, visit: http://www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/score-changes
I have exciting news to share with you, an important stakeholder in the GED program and adult education. Tomorrow we are announcing a recommended recalibration to the GED test passing score and the addition of two new performance levels. The content in this email provides you with an advance viewing of the information that will be more widely available to test-takers and other stakeholders tomorrow.
Beginning tomorrow (1/26), in many states the passing score for high school equivalency will move from 150 to 145. The program will also include two optional levels above high school equivalency to signify college readiness, and for some test-takers the opportunity to earn college credits. The scoring change and performance level enhancements were driven by a detailed analysis of both test-taker performance and of educational outcomes of GED program graduates over the past 18 months.
As always, the passing score of the GED test will continue to measure high school equivalency and to award a state’s GED credential. The two additional performance levels will be called GED College Ready (used to signify readiness to enter credit-bearing college courses), and GED College Ready + Credit (which may qualify students for up to ten hours of college credit). These two performance levels will replace the previous GED with Honors performance level. A few states continue to evaluate the recommendations and require more time for approvals, planning, and implementation, and may implement the new levels at a later date.
The new passing score is now in effect; however, it will take some time before the change can be implemented in various systems (these include state and GED Testing Service systems that handle transcripts, diplomas, and required data reporting systems). GED students and educators can expect to see the changes implemented starting on March 1. Scores, score reports, and other information will be automatically available on GED.com on March 1. As state systems vary, some students may have access to their new transcript and diploma as soon as the first week in March, but some may not have access for a few weeks. Until then, students will continue to see the original score levels (150 and 170) reflected on transcripts, in MyGED, and in other places.
GED Ready practice test score levels were automatically updated to reflect the new passing score, and the “likely to pass” or “green” level is now 145-200. Students can now login on MyGED and take the updated GED Ready practice test. Students who experience a GED Ready practice test status change (e.g. move from yellow to green) will see their new score level reflected in their MyGED account.
The performance level enhancements are based on an extensive analysis of test-takers’ performance data from the past 18 months, conversations with state policymakers and elected officials, and external validation with content and psychometric experts. This is part of our ongoing commitment to make data-based decisions, and continually improve the efficacy of the GED program for adult learners. This is not the first, nor will it be the last, enhancement made to the GED program based on data and research.
GED Testing Service recommends that states retroactively apply the new performance levels to test-takers who tested since January 1, 2014. If allowed, students who earned scores between 145-149 prior to the new passing score will now be eligible for their state’s high school equivalency credential. Many more students will also move from non passing to passing in one or more GED test subject.
We anticipate that all states will begin using the GED College Ready and GED College Ready + Credit performance levels. A few states continue to evaluate the recommendations and require more time for consideration of approval, planning, and implementation of the passing score as well as retroactively applying the new passing score to test-takers earning 145-149 since January 1, 2014. Please visit www.GEDtestingservice.com/score-changes to view our Frequently Asked Questions and other resource documents for educators. This web page will be updated with the most recent state-specific information regarding these recommendations.
The three performance levels will allow the GED program to measure the broad spectrum of a typical graduating high school class. A graduating class represents a range of ability and performance, from those meeting the minimum requirements to those demonstrating college readiness, and those who may even earn college credits during high school.
The GED test continues to be fully aligned with state college and career readiness standards. It continues to measure the key problem solving and critical thinking skills so vital to success in jobs and career or college training programs. The GED program remains much more than a high school equivalency test. These performance level enhancements, coupled with the new support systems such as the recently released career pathways tools, and the other extensive resources available through MyGED, mean more adult learners will be better prepared for the next step in their career pathway.
GED Testing Service will continue to work tirelessly in partnership with our state customers to help increase our nation’s educational attainment goals and economic competitiveness. We will continue to build programs and partnerships with employers and apprenticeship programs. We will work with colleges and state agencies to strengthen the connections between the GED credential and jobs with family-sustaining wages.
- Monday, January 25 (3:30-4:15pm EST)
- Tuesday, January 26 (1:00-1:45pm EST)
- Wednesday, January 27 (2:00-2:45pm EST)
Click here to register for one of these webinars. A recording of the webinar will be available for those who cannot attend a live session.
For more information, please visit www.GEDtestingservice.com/score-changes. There you will find an extensive set of frequently asked questions, graphics explaining the new performance levels and more.
Sincerely,
Randy Trask
President, GED Testing Service