High School Equivalency Credential

POLICY

Effective Date: April 9, 2001

Revision Date: June 12, 2006

POLICY NUMBER: GED-01

TITLE: High School Equivalency Credential

Set forth below is the policy regarding issuance of a High School Equivalency Credential in the District of Columbia.

1. Title of Credential: High School Equivalency Credential

2. Requirement for Issuance of Credential:

English

1. Minimum test scores A standard score of 410 on each of the five tests in the battery; a minimum average standard score of 450 AND an overall standard score of 2250.
2. Minimum age: 18
3. Residence: Applicant must reside in the District of Columbia
4. Score Combination: Scores may be combined with a previous GED 2002 test result to obtain a passing score.

French/Spanish

1. Minimum test scores A standard score of 410 on each of the five tests, and a minimum average standard score of 450
2. Minimum age: 18
3. Residence: Applicant must reside in the District of Columbia
4. Score Combination: Scores may be combined.

3. Minimum Age for Testing: Applicant must be at least eighteen years of age and out of a formal classroom situation for a period of no less than six (6) months. Exception to this criteria must be approved by the parent/guardian (letter must be notarized) and by the Superintendent of School (on school letterhead), Chief State School Officer of an authorized designee, (such as the principal of the last school attended).

Confidentiality

POLICY

Effective Date: April 9, 2001

Revision Date: January 2, 2002

POLICY NUMBER: GED-02

TITLE: Confidentiality

GED Testing and Verifications (GEDTV) has designed this policy to:

1. protect the confidential nature of GED records; and
2. comply with all federal and jurisdictional laws regarding disclosures of such records.

GED test scores are confidential. As such, no GED test results will be released without written permission from the examinee. Personal information requested from applicants is used strictly to link applicants with test scores. Applicants have the right to amend and correct personal information. Test scores of GED examinees and personal information collected from applicants is confidential and is not generally available to the public. No GED test records will be released without written permission from the examinee.

GED records are defined as records, files, documents, and other materials that contain information directly related to registration for and taking of the GED Tests as well as results of the GED Tests. These records are maintained by GEDTV.

Disclosure of GED Records

No one external to GED Testing and Verifications shall have access to nor will the GEDTV disclose any information from examinee’s GED records without the written consent of examinee, except as noted below:

• to government officials, as required by statute, regulation or rule

• pursuant to a court subpoena after a reasonable attempt to notify the examinee of the disclosure.

Required Information

Policy

Effective Date: April 9, 2001

Revision Date: January 1, 2002

POLICY NUMBER: GED-03

TITLE: Required Identification

All candidates for the GED Examination must present valid, government-issued photo identification both at the time of registration and at the time of testing. The identification must be current (unexpired) and include the examinee’s name, date of birth, photograph, District of Columbia address, identification or social security number and signature. Acceptable forms of identification are:

• District of Columbia drivers license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

• Alternate DMV identification, (i.e., non-drivers identification)

• Passport, issued by United States or foreign governments

• U.S. military identification

If identification used, such as a passport, does not include an address, then applicant must produce additional documentation verifying residency in the District of Columbia. That documentation includes recent District of Columbia utility bills issued in their name, such as, electricity, natural gas, and land line telephone bills. These bills must be no older than thirty (30) days. A current lease or mortgage in the candidate’s name can also be used very residency.

Candidates who live with DC residents and do not have the aforementioned items must bring:

1. a notarized letter signed by the DC resident confirming that the candidate resides with him/her;

2. current utility bill in the name of the DC resident; and

3. a photocopy of the DC resident’s current driver’s or non-driver’s identification issued by the DMV.

Candidates who use photo identification issued by the Department of Human Services, Department of Employment Services, or the United States military must also submit a letter from the department or branch that issued the ID stating that the candidate’s identification is current.

Age Requirements

Policy

Effective Date: April 9, 2001

Revision Date: June 12, 2006

POLICY NUMBER: GED-04

TITLE: Age Requirements

Applicants who wish to complete the GED Examination in the District of Columbia must meet the following requirements:

• 18 years of age
• a resident of the District of Columbia
• not enrolled in or have not graduated from high school
• have taken the Official 2002-Series Practice Test prior to registration.

Applicants who are between the ages of 16 and 17 years may test if he or she meets the requirements above and:

• has a written statement from the principal of the last school attended certifying last date of attendance

• has written permission to take the exam from one of the following sources

• parent or guardian (must be notarized)
• a public agency providing supervision of having custody under a court order that recommends the person to take the examination
• CEO or designee of a Job Corps training program where the applicant is enrolled.

All documentation and notarized supporting letters must accompany the Application for GED Testing at the time of registration.

POLICY

Effective Date: January 1, 2007

POLICY NUMBER: GED-05

TITLE: Minimum Score Requirements for the Official GED Practice Test

Effective January 1, 2007, all candidates wishing to register for the Official GED Exam in the District of Columbia must meet the following minimum score requirements on their practice test: 410 on each individual subject test and a composite score of at least 2250.

Scheduling Program Representatives

POLICY

Effective Date: June 1, 2006

POLICY NUMBER: GED-06

TITLE: Scheduling Program Representatives

Individuals who represent programs that provide GED preparation services and desire to transact business on behalf of their students must schedule an appointment with a GED Testing Center program assistant.

The appointments are scheduled to conduct activities such as registering students for the GED exam, securing copies of exam results, securing copies of certificates, etc.

An appointment must be scheduled regardless of the number of students involved in the transaction.

Appointments will be scheduled as soon as possible. Appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday before 9:00am and between 1:00-4:00pm. These are the hours the office is closed to the general public. At the discretion of the program assistant, appointments may be scheduled between the hours of 9:00am – 1:00pm.

Note: Dropping into the GED Testing Center from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm will not give a program precedence above individual walk-ins already in the GEDTC. Program representatives will be serviced when public walk-ins have been accommodated.

Scheduling Candidates for GED Exams

POLICY

Effective Date: June 1, 2006

POLICY NUMBER: GED-07

TITLE: Scheduling Candidates for GED Exams

The scheduling of candidates for examination dates rests solely with GED Testing and Verifications (GEDTV). The GED Exam Schedule that is published quarterly should be used only as a guide for test dates. This schedule does not provide the availability for test dates or the number of available slots on a given test day. The availability of seats for an exam is static, by nature, and therefore can be determined only by the GEDTV at the time of registration.

Seats for any exam administered by the GEDTV must be filled on a first come, first served basis. Due to the static nature of registrations, specifically requested test date(s) may not be available.

This policy applies to any and all exams administered by the GEDTV.

POLICY

Effective Date: September 2006

POLICY NUMBER: GED-08

TITLE: Issuance of the GED Credential

GED Testing and Verifications (GEDTV) issues GED Credentials to examinees who have sat for and passed the GED exam in the District of Columbia. Credentials are issued by the GEDTV within 30 days of notifying the examinees of their passing status on the exam. It is the responsibility of the credential holders to display or store the credential in a safe place as duplicates are not issued.

The GED credential is issued one time. Any credential issued to the test passer via certified mail that is not claimed or that is returned to GEDTV by the United States Postal Service, will be retained by GEDTV and may be claimed upon presentation of  proper identification to GEDTV. The GEDTV will not issue another credential upon claim by the successful examinee that the original credential was not received. The GEDTV will maintain accurate records identifying to whom and when a credential has been issued.

(In other states, the GED credential may be referred to as a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate.)

A GED credential is comparable to a high school diploma and should be treated as such. As duplicate high school diplomas are not issued, duplicate GED credentials are not issued. The credential is for the use of the holder. Upon request with appropriate authorization, institutions of higher and continuing education as well as employers and others requiring proof of GED credentialing will receive an official transcript.

This policy refers to the issuance of GED credentials to any one who has taken or will be taking the GED Exam in the District of Columbia.

Release of Information

POLICY

Effective Date: September 1, 2006

POLICY NUMBER: GED-09

TITLE: Release of Information

For each request for information from GED Testing Center and Verifications (GEDTV) by third parties on behalf of GED examinees, exam registrants, and credential holders, the third parties must present a release of information signed and dated by the individual on whose behalf they are acting.

A fee will be assessed for additional copies of documents previously provided to third parties.

The GEDTV must take reasonable precautions to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the examinees and GED candidate. The GEDTV must be certain that third parties are authorized to act on behalf of the individual for each request for information. A blanket release of information is not accepted.

This policy applies to all third party requests for information such as, but not limited to, requests for transcripts, scores or verification of credential.

Issuance of the GED Credential

POLICY

Effective Date: September 1, 2006

POLICY NUMBER: GED-10

TITLE: Issuance of Pre-1998 Credentials

The GED Administrator, GED Testing and Verifications (GEDTV), may authorize the release of unclaimed certificates/credentials archived prior to 1998 and in the possession of GEDTV. The request for the document must be made in writing to GEDTV. Upon notification that GEDTV has the document, the claimant must present acceptable identification to GEDTV prior to receiving the document. No fees are assessed for this service.

Returned Mail   

POLICY

Effective Date: October 1, 2009

POLICY NUMBER: GED-11

TITLE: Returned Mail

When documents are returned to GEDTV by the United States Postal Service, or other mailing services, as undeliverable, GEDTV re-mails to the same address only if the error is that of GEDTV.

GEDTV will re-mail the document only one time to a new address.

After either of these attempts to mail documents fails, the addressee must come to the Center with valid identification to claim previously mailed documents.

A priority of GEDTV is to efficiently serve its consumers. This priority includes forwarding requested documents to the designated parties in a timely manner. That flow is interrupted when documents are returned to the Center as undeliverable. The cost is too prohibitive, in terms of the postage and the man-hours required to research why the document has been returned, to continue mailings to addresses that appear to be incorrect. When requesting specific services from the Center, the consumer has the responsibility of providing the Center with the correct address, as well as providing any change of address in a timely manner.

This policy applies to all mailings to individuals or programs containing documents or providing information about GED exams that is returned as undeliverable. The incorrect address was provided by the requestor.

POLICY

Effective Date: October 1, 2009

POLICY NUMBER: GED-12

TITLE: Official GED Practice Tests

Beginning January 1, 2007, all candidates for the 2002 Series GED Exam must provide written documentation that prior to registering for the GED Exam they have taken and passed the Official GED Practice Tests with a minimum total standard score of 2250 and no less than 410 on each of the five (5) subject area tests of the Exam.

The Official GED Practice Tests are a simulation of the 2002 Series GED Exam and help determine readiness to take the Exam. When candidates sit for the GED Exam they should be prepared to achieve passing scores. In general, individuals who, on the practice tests, achieve at levels equal to or greater than the required passing scores for the GED Exam are more likely to be successful on the GED Exam on their first testing. Likewise, individuals who have not achieved at levels equal to the minimum passing scores on the GED Exam are more likely to have to retest in 1-3 subject area tests of the exam one or more times.

The intent of this policy is to increase the number of individuals achieving passing scores on the GED Exam on the first administration of the Exam and to have better prepared candidates taking the Exam.

This policy applies to all candidates for the GED Exam in the District of Columbia. Individuals who request the Spanish or French versions of the GED Exam are exempt from taking the 2002 Series Official Practice Test.

GED Conferral Date

POLICY

Effective Date: October 1, 2009

POLICY NUMBER: GED-13

TITLE: GED Conferral Date

The date that the GED score is reported to GED Testing and Verifications by the scoring service or other official scoring entity is the date GEDTV will use to report that an examinee has successfully completed the requirements for the GED certificate.

The date the GED Certificate is conferred is an important date. It is commensurate with the date a high school diploma is received. Therefore it is important to establish the date the certificate is received/conferred so that recipient of the certificate, as well as GEDTV, will be able to report the date accurately and consistently to any organization or individual requesting this information.

The date of conferral should be distinguished from the date the recipient sat for the examination, the date the certificate is signed or the commencement date.

This policy applies only to certificates issued as a result of the successful completion of the GED examination administered by the GED Testing and Verifications.

This policy does not apply to certificates issued by sources other than the GEDTV, including but not limited to the District of Columbia Board of Education.

Establishment of Fees

POLICY

Effective Date: October 1, 2009

POLICY NUMBER: GED-14

TITLE: Establishment of Fees

Fees for services provided by GED Testing and Verifications (GEDTV) are established by the Office of the State Superintendent for Education (OSSE). The cost of providing the service will govern the assessed fee. The fee schedule will be reviewed on an annual basis and fees adjusted, if necessary. Fees are subject to change without notice. Efforts will be made to inform, in a timely manner, the general public and other interested parties of any changes to the fee schedule.

Prudent management and fiscal responsibility dictate that as costs increase for administering the GED exam, responding to requests for transcripts and duplicate certificates, and providing other services, fees for providing these services must be increased accordingly/proportionately.

This policy applies to any fees charged for services provided by the GED Testing Center.

Examinee Name Change

POLICY

Effective Date: October 1, 2009

POLICY NUMBER: GED-15

TITLE: Examinee Name Change

The name under which the exam was taken is the name under which the transcript or credential will be issued and records maintained. GED Testing and Verifications (GEDTV) cannot honor requests to issue official or unofficial documents in a name other than that which was presented and verified when the candidate registered the exam regardless of the supporting documentation presented to the testing center.

GEDTV must maintain the integrity of all records related to the official GED Exam. Changing the name on any of the records can compromise the validity of those records. GED recognizes that individuals may undergo a name change for any number of reasons. With required identification and release(s), GEDTV will provide the requested proof of GED, but only in the name under which the credential was issued. If the name has changed, it is the responsibility of the individual, not the GED Testing and Verifications, to provide proof of identity regardless of the name.

This applies to any and all records archived with the GED Testing Center.

POLICY

Effective Date: September 1, 2007

 

 

POLICY NUMBER:            GED-16

TITLE:          Early Re-Testing Policy

1. Early Testing: GED Testing and Verifications maintains a three month waiting period between test administrations and only in cases of extreme hardship will applicants be allowed to test within this three month period.  All appeals to the GED Administrator must include written documentation on company letterhead that verifies the request. No applicant is permitted to test more than three times in a calendar year.

2. Applicants that wish to appeal for retesting must submit the Application to Request Early Retesting to the GED Testing Verifications for review, consideration, and disposition.