09/03/13 Administrators of the Indiana GED (General Educational Redevelopment) test have announced that they will be entering into a contract with CTB McGraw-Hill to provide a new high school equivalency assessment. Scott Sanders, commissioner of Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) made the announcement on August 28, 2013.
The new test will be utilized by providers in 2014 and will be renamed Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC).
Indiana Adult Education programs provide free math, reading and writing instruction to help participants to earn a GED, go to college, or enter an entry-level occupational certification program. Indiana requires participants to be a resident of Indiana for at least 30 days and be at least 18 years of age, or to be at least 17 years of age and not subject to compulsory school attendance.
Several different agencies formed a panel to evaluate proposals for the revised testing method including representatives from the Indiana Department of Correction (DOC), the Indiana Department of Education (DOE), and DWD. There was also additional input from Ivy Tech and the Indiana Association of Continuing Education.
Sanders said, “A quality workforce is essential to economic growth, It was crucial to select an exam that is on par with Indiana’s College and Career Readiness Standards while ensuring it is accessible to any Hoosier.”
The good news is that the test fees will drop. Sanders said, “Hoosiers will also pay considerably less for the TASC than the GED exam, which is scheduled to double in price beginning in January.” The maximum fee for Indiana is $60, although some sites charge less. Those who fail one or more portions of the test on their first try could pay $6-15 for each section to retake. There are more than 70 testing sites in the state.
The test will be offered in both paper and computer-based formats. It will be available in English and Spanish, Braille, and audio versions.
Carol Anders Correspondent
