The American Council on Education
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CANDIDATE PREPARATION AND JURISDICTIONAL POLICIES LINKED TO SUCCESS RATES OF GED® TESTS, NEW REPORT FINDS
Washington, DC (November 27, 2007) - Completion and pass rates for the GED® Tests vary widely by jurisdiction, and a new report released today finds that the broad range is tied to two interrelated factors-candidate preparation and testing program policies within the jurisdictions that administer the GED Tests. Those policies include testing fees, and prescreening and retesting requirements.
The 2006 GED® Testing Program Statistical Report finds that of the 10 jurisdictions with the highest pass rates, five (Iowa, Delaware, Kansas, Alaska and Maine) required their candidates to pass the Official GED Practice Tests before taking the GED Tests, and at least three others required candidates to show evidence of preparedness to take the tests, offered the practice tests free of charge, or offered one-on-one test preparation. The pass rates for these states were well above the program-wide pass rate of 68 percent in 2006.
The General Educational Development Testing Service (GEDTS) TM is a program of the American Council on Education (ACE). GED testing is administered locally by each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, the Canadian provinces and territories, the U.S. insular areas, U.S. military, and federal correctional institutions. Each jurisdiction manages its own GED testing program.
"We applaud the more than 419,000 adults who passed the GED Tests in 2006," said Sylvia E. Robinson, ACE assistant vice president and executive director of the GED Testing Service. "This report shows that when jurisdictions invest in an individual's preparation for the GED Tests, there's a strong likelihood that they will realize a positive return in terms of improved completion and pass rates."
Program-Wide Pass Rate
The percentage of adults who passed the GED Tests last year represents a slight dip from the 72 percent who passed in 2005.
While the 2006 pass rate is the lowest since the release of the new test series in 2002, the report finds no consistent decline in the pass rate, and the average pass rate over the past five years is 70 percent.
Across the entire GED testing program in 2006, 1.5 percent of adults without a high school diploma took one or more parts of the GED Tests, 1.3 percent of adults without a high school diploma completed the battery, and 0.9 percent passed.
"It is clear to us in higher education, as well as political and business leaders, that in order for the United States to thrive in the current global economy, we must harness the talent of all of our citizens," said ACE President David Ward. "Passing the GED Tests provides adults who may not have had the opportunity to earn a high school diploma with a credential that earns them the prospect of pursuing a college education, attaining better employment, and ultimately making meaningful contributions to the knowledge economy."
Reasons for Taking the GED Tests
Nearly 60 percent of GED candidates indicated that they tested to further their education. More than half (52 percent) said they tested for personal reasons, such as wanting to be a positive role model and for personal satisfaction. Forty-eight percent identified employment reasons-primarily the desire to get a better job-for testing. Seven percent of candidates indicated that they tested to enter the military or to support their military career.
Beginning in the 1990s, the percentage of candidates who indicated they were planning further study has been between 59 and 68 percent, and generally has increased every year.
The 2006 GED® Testing Program Statistical Report (Item #250706) is available for $25.00 per copy plus shipping and handling from the ACE Fulfillment Service, Department 191, Washington, DC, 20005-0191 or by calling (301) 632-6757. Orders can also be placed on the ACE web site at www.acenet.edu/bookstore. In addition, a complimentary PDF is available online.
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The five tests in the GED test battery are Language Arts, Writing; Language Arts, Reading; Social Studies; Science; and Mathematics. The tests reflect high school curriculum standards developed at the national and jurisdictional levels while including content relevant to the workplace and community. The GED Tests passing standard is rigorous; only 60 percent of traditional graduating high school seniors are expected to pass the battery on their first attempt.
Founded in 1918, ACE is the major coordinating body for all the nation's higher education institutions, representing more than 1,600 college and university presidents, and more than 200 related associations, nationwide. It seeks to provide leadership and a unifying voice on key higher education issues and influence public policy through advocacy, research, and program initiatives.