Resolve, To Ensure the Continued Accessibility and Affordability of a High School Equivalency Exam for Maine Residents
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0442
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: LANGLEY, GIFFORD, MASON, PLUMMER, THOMAS

Legislative Document 
No. 442 
S.P. 174 
In Senate, February 14, 2013 
Resolve, To Ensure the Continued Accessibility and Affordability of 
a High School Equivalency Exam for Maine Residents 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
DAREK M. GRANT 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator LANGLEY of Hancock. 
Cosponsored by Representative GIFFORD of Lincoln and 
Senators: MASON of Androscoggin, PLUMMER of Cumberland, THOMAS of Somerset. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the general educational development examination, known as the GED 
examination, has provided an opportunity for thousands of Maine residents, including 
2,021 such Maine residents in 2011, for a 2nd chance to successfully complete their 
secondary education, to enter the job market and to obtain postsecondary education; and 
Whereas, the GED examination is currently readily accessible to Maine residents at 
nearly 80 local adult education centers in all counties of Maine; and 
Whereas, the GED examination is currently offered at no cost to Maine residents, 
with costs shared by the State and local adult education programs; and 
Whereas, the GED testing program is about to undergo dramatic changes that 
threaten the accessibility and affordability of the test by placing significant financial 
burdens on both the test takers and the local adult education programs that offer GED 
testing; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it 
Sec. 1.  Review of options for administering a high school equivalency 
examination.  Resolved:  That the Department of Education, referred to in this resolve 
as "the department," shall undertake a thorough study of all options for the administration 
of a high school equivalency examination, including those offered by competing vendors; 
and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Report.  Resolved:  That the department shall prepare and submit a report 
based on its study under section 1 to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and 
Cultural Affairs comparing the various high school equivalency examination options 
based on their cost, accessibility and educational efficacy.  The department's report must 
include a plan for ensuring the continued availability of a high school equivalency 
examination at no cost to test takers and continued accessibility at all local adult 
education programs currently offering this service with minimal financial impact on these 
programs.  The department shall submit its report and plan to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by April 1, 2013. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve requires the Department of Education to examine the options for the 
administration of a high school equivalency examination and to develop a plan for the 
continued availability of a high school equivalency examination.  The department shall 
submit its report and plan to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural 
Affairs by April 1, 2013.