Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 172 - Department of Career Education › Rule 172.00.13-008 - Administration of the GED Test

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
PURPOSE OF THIS MANUAL
The GED® Program Policies Manual provides information to help you
	 operate an effective and efficient GED® testing program. Throughout the
	 manual, all GED® topics are printed in
boldface
type preceding
	 the descriptive text.
The GED® Program Policies elaborate and explain how to better
	 implement the regulations for operating GED® testing programs on the local
	 level. These policies were approved by the State Board of Career Education and
	 should be considered a part of your contract with the Arkansas Department of
	 Career Education.
If you want more information on guidelines to follow for establishing
	 and operating a GED® testing program, the
Policies and
	 Procedures Manual
published by GED Testing Service® of the
	 American Council on Education/Pearson VUE provides specific information.
GED® Testing Program
Three Capitol Mall
Luther S. Hardin Building
Little Rock, AR 72201-1083
Telephone: (501)682-1980
Fax: (501)682-1982
INTRODUCTION
This manual contains the policies for administration of the GED®
	 test, a program of the American Council on Education (ACE) /Pearson VUE. The
	 policies are approved by the State Board of Career Education which is the
	 policy-making body for all programs of the Arkansas Department of Career
	 Education.
The proper administration, supervision, and integrity of the testing
	 programs located in sites approved as test centers are joint responsibilities
	 of the chief administrative officer for that institution, the person signing
	 the official contract, the Test Administrator for GED® Testing, and the
	 Arkansas GED AdministratorT. All persons involved in the administration of the
	 GED® test should become thoroughly familiar with the contents of this
	 manual and the
Policies and Procedures Manual
published by GED Testing Service®.
For policy questions or clarifications, please contact Arkansas
	 GED® Testing, Three Capitol Mall, Luther S. Hardin Building, Little Rock,
	 AR 72201 or call (501)682-1980 or visit our website at
http://ace.arkansas.gov
.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE GED® TEST
POLICY: Only Test Administrators may administer the GED® tests and
	 inspect or have access to tests.
Test Administrators must meet Pearson/Vue requirements, take
	 certification test and recertify yearly.
INFORMATION/RATIONALE: This regulation is established in accordance
	 with GED Testing Service® of the American Council on Education/Pearson
	 VUE.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 6,1993, January 1, 2014
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT, GED® Testing Office
	 (501)682-1980
QUALIFICATIONS FOR EXAMINERS
POLICY: Test administrators must meet all Pearson VUE test
	 administrator requirements. Test administrators are required to pass the
	 Pearson VUE Administrator Certification Exam to become a test administrator and
	 recertify each year. No one directly involved in GED® instruction,
	 secondary education program staff, adult secondary program staff, adult basic
	 education, adult literacy, alternative high school education program staff and
	 developmental education staff can serve as a test administrator in a Pearson
	 Vue Testing Center.
INFORMATION/RATIONALE: This regulation is established in accordance
	 with GED Testing Service® of the American Council on Education/Pearson VUE.
	 Section 3.3 of the Policies and Procedures for administering the GED Test on
	 Computer (2002).
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 6,1993; January 1, 2014
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT, GED® Testing Office
	 (501)682-1980.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTING
POLICY: The GED® test may be administered to eligible test-takers
	 only. Individuals must be at least sixteen years of age and not currently
	 enrolled in an accredited high school. Only persons who do not have a standard
	 high school diploma are eligible to take the GED® test. Under no
	 circumstances may the GED® test be administered to persons less than 16
	 years of age. Test-takers must present proof of positive identification that
	 shows name, date of birth, address, signature and photograph. Valid drivers'
	 licenses, passports, military, or other forms of government-issued (national
	 and foreign) identification that shows required information are all acceptable
	 forms of identification, unless there is reason to question their authenticity.
	 Test-takers must be legal residents of Arkansas. The term 'legal resident" has
	 been clarified by the Arkansas Department of Career Education to mean a person
	 who spends most of his/her time in Arkansas, who pays property taxes, or who
	 possesses a valid Arkansas driver's license.
GED® Test Administrators must obtain a written statement confirming
	 eligibility, GED Test Candidate Rules of Agreement, and GED Test Non-disclosure
	 Agreement from each test-taker. Such written confirmation must include the
	 GED® test-taker's signature and must be retained for use in verifying that
	 the test-taker is eligible.
Prior to taking the Official GED® test, test-takers must pass the
	 official GED ReadyT Test with minimum scores established by the Adult Education
	 Division/GED Testing Office of the Arkansas Department of Career Education.
	 This test must be administered through an approved adult education program or a
	 GED Testing CenterT.
EXCEPTION: Persons 16 (sixteen) and 17 (seventeen) years old will be
	 approved to take the Official GED® test
after
having met the
	 provisions specified in Arkansas Compulsory Attendance Law- Annotated Code
	 6-18-201.
INFORMATION/RATIONALE: This regulation is established in accordance
	 with the American Council on Education (ACE) /Pearson VUE for GED Testing
	 Service®, Arkansas Acts 30 and 31 of 1994, Act 1659 of 2001, Act 604 of
	 2003 and Arkansas Compulsory Attendance Law- Annotated Code
	 6-18-201
	 which allow, after certain provisions have been met, for persons ages 16 and 17
	 to enroll in adult education programs or take the GED® test.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 10, 1995; August 2001, January 1, 2014
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT, GED® Testing Office
	 (501)682-1980
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OFFICIAL GED READYT TEST
POLICY: All applicants wishing to take the GED® test are required
	 to take and pass the Official GED ReadyT Test with minimum scores established
	 by the Adult Education Division/GED Testing Office of the Arkansas Department
	 of Career Education. This test must be administered through an approved adult
	 education program or GED Testing CenterT.
EXCEPTION: Persons 16 (sixteen) and 17 (seventeen) years old will be
	 approved to take the Official GED® test after having met the provisions
	 specified in the Arkansas Compulsory Attendance Law - Annotated Code
	 6-18-201.
INFORMATION/RATIONALE: This policy is not to be viewed as an
	 encouragement for students sixteen and seventeen years of age to drop out of
	 traditional public school but should be considered as an alternative method to
	 obtain a high school diploma. This policy is also in accordance with Arkansas
	 Compulsory Attendance Law- Annotated Code
	 6-18-201
	 which allows school districts to provide waivers to this requirement, provided
	 adult education rules and regulations are met by individuals aged 16 and 17
	 wishing to enroll in adult education classes or take the Official GED®
	 test.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 6, 1993; August 2001; January 2002, January 1,
	 2014
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT, GED® Testing Office
	 (501)682-1980
TESTING OF A SIXTEEN/SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD
POLICY: Persons sixteen (16) and seventeen (17) years old will be
	 approved to take the Official GED® test after having met the provisions
	 specified in the approved Adult Education Program policies and/or meeting the
	 requirements set forth in Arkansas Compulsory Attendance Law -Annotated Code
	 6-18-201.
INFORMATION/RATIONALE: Policies for the "Minimum Age for Adult
	 Education Enrollment" and "Attendance for Sixteen (16) and Seventeen (17) Year
	 Old Students" were approved by the State Board of Vocational Education on
	 November 14,1994. The approval of these policies granted permission for the
	 sixteen (16) and seventeen (17) year olds to enroll in adult education programs
	 after having met certain provisions. This policy is also in accordance with
	 Arkansas Compulsory Attendance Law- Annotated Code
	 6-18-201
	 which allows school districts to provide waivers to this requirement, provided
	 adult education rules and regulations are met by individuals aged 16 and 17 who
	 wish to enroll in adult education classes or take the Official GED®
	 test.
Arkansas GED® Testing policies for sixteen (16) and seventeen (17)
	 year olds follow state law and procedures/regulations established by GED
	 Testing Service® of the American Council on Education (ACE)/Pearson
	 VUE.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 10,1995; August 2001, January 1, 2014
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT, GED® Testing Office
	 (501)682-1980
POLICIES REGARDING SIXTEEN (16) AND SEVENTEEN (17) YEAR
	 OLDS
INFORMATION/RATIONALE:
Attendance /Enrollment
As a result of Arkansas
	 Acts 30 and 31 of 1994 policies for the "Minimum Age for Adult Education
	 Enrollment" and "Attendance for Sixteen (16) and Seventeen (17) Year Old
	 Students" were approved by the State Board of Vocational Education on November
	 14, 1994. The approval of these policies granted permission for the sixteen
	 (16) and seventeen (17) year olds to enroll in adult education programs after
	 having met certain provisions as a result of Arkansas Acts 30 and 31 of 1994.
	 Arkansas Act 1659 of 2001, Act 604 of 2003 and Arkansas Compulsory Attendance
	 Law - Annotated Code
	 6-18-201
	 revised enrollment and testing provisions for 16 and 17 year olds enrolled in
	 private, parochial or home schools.
Act 1148 of 1997 amended Arkansas code to reduce the number of Adult
	 Education class hours that employed students are required to attend. Adult
	 Education Programs shall require, for continued enrollment, a minimum of twenty
	 (20) hours per week of class and instruction; provided, however, that a minimum
	 ten (10) hours shall be required for any student who is employed for thirty
	 (30) hours or more each week.
Home School and Private Schools
. In April of
	 2001 Act 1659, Act 604 of 2003 and Arkansas Compulsory Attendance Law -
	 Annotated Code
	 6-18-201
	 restructured the requirements for private, parochial, and home school students
	 preparing to take the GED® test. If these students want to attend an adult
	 education program, application must be made for enrollment. The application
	 process includes a meeting between the parents/guardians and the adult
	 education administrator, a review of the student's records, and a written
	 agreement detailing attendance requirements. Students who do not fulfill
	 attendance requirements must re-enroll in the private, parochial or home school
	 program within five days.
Students enrolled in private or parochial schools who desire to take
	 the GED® test must provide a letter from the principal or administration of
	 the institution to verify enrollment. Home school students wishing to test
	 without enrolling in Adult Education must provide to the test center a
	 notarized copy of the notice of intent to home school submitted to the
	 superintendent of the local school district.
EFFECTIVE DATES: Varied
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT, GED® Testing Office
	 (501)682-1980
RETESTING OF APPLICANTS
POLICY: Test-takers scoring at least 149 points on each area of the
	 first Official GED® test may retest at the next scheduled test date without
	 retaking the Official GED® ReadyT Test.
If the score is 130-148 on any area of the test or the test-taker has
	 been retested one or more times, the test-taker must wait three months
OR
complete 30 hours of instruction through an
	 approved Adult Education program
AND
pass the
	 Official GED ReadyT Test with a score of 155 in each area to be
	 retested.
If the score is 129 or below on any area of the test the test-taker
	 must wait six months
OR
complete 60 hours of
	 instruction through an approved Adult Education program
AND
pass each part of the Official GED ReadyT
	 Test with a score of 155 in each area to be retested.
NOTE: A test-taker is required to take only the part(s) of the Official
	 GED ReadyT Test to be administered on the GED® test.
INFORMATION/RATIONALE: In accordance with the rules, regulations, and
	 guidelines as established by GED Testing Service® as set forth in the
Policies and Procedures Manual
'for the GED®
	 test.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2002, January 1, 2014
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT, GED® Testing Office
	 (501)682-1980
SCORING OF TESTS
POLICY: A preliminary score report will be printed at the end of the
	 test. The score report will include an unofficial pass/fail score. Official
	 results will be distributed by Arkansas Department of Career Education,
	 GED® Testing Program.
INFORMATION/RATIONALE: The above policy is established in an effort to
	 ensure efficient/effective scoring services by the Arkansas Department of
	 Career Education, GED® Testing Office.
Test-takers who pass the GED® test will automatically receive an
	 electronic, secure, smart transcript delivered immediately after their test is
	 scored. Test-takers can view, print and request a professionally printed
	 diploma from the transcript. Test-takers can send documents to employers or
	 colleges of their choice. Colleges and employers can search for and order
	 documents on behalf of students.
Test Administrators may view results via a secure website, but results
	 are not official until received on official transcript/credential paper issued
	 by the Arkansas GED® Testing Office.
EFFECTIVE DATE: March 2001, January 1, 2014
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT, GED® Testing Office
	 (501)682-1980
MINIMUM SCORE REQUIREMENTS
POLICY: Effective January 1, 2014, the requirements to pass the
	 GED® test are a minimum score of 150 on each test in the battery AND a
	 total score of 600.
INFORMATION/RATIONALE: In accordance with GED Testing Service®,
	 each state that contracts to use the GED® test establishes its own minimum
	 score requirements for diplomas and credentials provided that the scores are at
	 least the minimum set by GED Testing Service®.
PREVIOUS PASSING GED® TEST SCORES:
1945
- December 1962
: A minimum Standard
	 Score of 35 on each of the five tests OR an average of Standard Score of
	 45.
January 1963 - December 1972
: A minimum
	 Standard Score of 40 on each of the five tests OR an Average Standard Score of
	 50.
January 1973 - December 1974
: A minimum
	 Standard Score of 35 on each of the five tests OR an Average Standard Score of
	 45.
January 1975 -June 30.1987
: A minimum Standard
	 Score of 35 on each of the five tests AND an Average Standard Score of
	 45.
July 1987 - December 31. 2001
: A minimum
	 Standard Score of 40 on each test in the battery AND an Average Standard Score
	 of 45.
January 1. 2002 - December 31. 2013
: The
	 requirement to pass the GED® test is a minimum score of 410 on each test in
	 the battery AND an average score of 450. Scores earned prior to January 1,
	 2002, cannot be combined with the 2002 series of test.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2014
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT, GED®Testing Office
	 (501)682-1980
REQUESTING INFORMATION ON TEST SCORES
POLICY: For records before January 1, 2014 a request for information on
	 GED® scores must be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Career
	 Education, GED® Testing Office, in writing and signed by the
	 test-taker.
INFORMATION/RATIONALE: In accordance with GED Testing Service®, the
	 test scores of individual test-takers are confidential information. Subject to
	 limited exceptions for verifying scores by telephone, fax or email, an
	 individual's score should be reported to educational institutions, adult
	 education teachers, employers, correctional facilities, military recruiters,
only for test-takers who have submitted written and signed requests to
	 that effect.
A request for a GED® transcript/credential must contain verifiable
	 information including
(1) the
  test-taker's full name (and the name under which tested, if
  different)
(2) date of
  birth
(3) approximate year
  tested
(4) city where
  tested
(5) social security or
  identification number
(6)
  signature
(7) name and address
  where credential(s) should be sent
(8) required fee (if applicable)
The Arkansas GED® Testing office will fax or email scores to a
	 third party (i.e., employers, military, educational institution, correctional
	 facility etc.) for test-takers who provide written permission to do so; faxed
	 or emailed copies are unofficial. Test-taker's permission must be accompanied
	 by verification from the third party that a faxed or emailed copy of scores
	 satisfies an immediate need for hiring, enlistment, enrollment or
	 release.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 6,1993, January 1, 2014
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT, GED® Testing Office
	 (501)682-1980
CONFIDENTIALITY/PRIVACY POLICY
Test scores and results of individual test-takers are confidential
	 information. An individual's scores will be reported to educational
	 institutions, adult education teachers, military recruiters, employers,
	 correctional facilities, and others only for test-takers who have submitted
	 requests to that effect. Because some test-takers do not wish their credential
	 award to be a matter of public record, names of credential recipients should
	 not be released until individuals have permission to do so. The fact that a
	 person has or has not taken the GED® test should also be treated as
	 confidential.
. Confidential information should only be released after an individual
	 has made a request and only after the test-taker in question understands that
	 s/he may choose not to allow the release of said confidential information.
	 According to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, enacted as
	 Section 438 of the General Education Provisions Act, student information that
	 is considered "private" may not be shared with anyone who is not designated on
	 a release of confidential information.
. Each institution or GED Testing CenterT must establish what
	 information can be released based on the Freedom of Information Act and the
	 Privacy Act of 1974. Information that can be released is "directory
	 information," and is regarded as information contained in an education record
	 of a student which would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of
	 privacy if disclosed. It includes, but is not limited to, the student's name,
	 address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, dates of attendance, and
	 the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended. Local
	 programs must adhere to their affiliated institution's policy for directory
	 information. Furthermore, each test-taker must sign a release that verifies
	 their knowledge that the institution can release directory information.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2014
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT, GED® Testing Office
	 (501)682-1980
ISSUANCE OF A GED® TRANSCRIPT/DUPLICATE DIPLOMA
POLICY: Official reports of test scores can be issued only by the
	 Arkansas Department of Career Education, GED® Testing Office.
Each test-taker who completes the GED® test will receive a copy of
	 his/her scores. This initial set of credentials is at no charge to the GED®
	 test-taker. A test-taker may be charged a fee to have a duplicate official
	 credential sent to a representative of a business, educational institution,
	 military, correctional facility or other organization, or to themselves by
	 making a written request to the Arkansas GED® Testing Office including
	 appropriate information and the test-taker's signature.
INFORMATION/RATIONALE: The records of GED® tests in Arkansas are
	 maintained by the GED® Testing Office of the Department of Career
	 Education. To protect the confidentiality of GED® test-takers, initial
	 score reports and/or diplomas are sent directly to the individuals.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 6, 1993.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT, GED® Testing Office
	 (501)682-1980
ISSUING THE
ARKANSAS HIGH SCHOOL
	 DIPLOMA
POLICY: Individuals receiving an
Arkansas High School
	 Diploma
must attain a minimum standard score of 150 on each of
	 the four subtests and a total score of 600 on the GED® test.
INFORMATION/RATIONALE: This regulation is established in accordance
	 with the American Council on Education/Pearson VUE for GED Testing
	 Service®. Each state shall determine the minimum test score requirements
	 and other qualifications for issuing a high school credential based on the
	 GED® test provided that the scores are at least the minimum set by GED
	 Testing Service®.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2002, January 1, 2014
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT, GED®Testing Office
	 (501)682-1980
PROGRAM EVALUATION
POLICY: GED® Testing Programs and/or Test Centers will be evaluated
	 and monitored by the Arkansas GED AdministratorT using a GED® Site Visit
	 Form that was developed in accordance with the policies established in the
Policies and Procedures Manual
for the GED®
	 test and Pearson/Vue.
INFORMATION/RATIONALE: The GED Testing Service® requires that
	 approved Test Centers be evaluated according to guidelines in the
Policies and Procedures Manual
Tor the GED®
	 test.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 6, 1993, January 1, 2014
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT, GED® Testing Office
	 (501)682-1980
FEES AND/OR OTHER CHARGES
POLICY: Fees for GED® testing are set by the Department of Career
	 Education, Adult Education Division, GED® Testing Office in accordance with
	 the policy and fee structure established by GED Testing Service® of the
	 American Council on Education/Pearson VUE.
INFORMATION/RATIONALE: The Arkansas Department of Career Education
	 feels that providing an opportunity to Arkansas citizens to take the GED®
	 test and issuing official GED® credentials is a way of encouraging the
	 achievement of a literate and educated population. Act 1063 of 2013 allows the
	 State Board of Career Education to charge a fee for administering the GED®
	 test.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 6, 1993, January 1, 2014
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT, GED® Testing Office
	 (501)682-1980
PURCHASE OF TESTING MATERIAL
POLICY: All official testing materials are provided by the Arkansas
	 Department of Career Education through the GED® Testing Office, GED Testing
	 Service and Pearson/Vue.
It is the responsibility of the testing centers to ensure the security
	 of test materials according to procedures listed in the
Policies
	 and Procedures Manual.
INFORMATION/RATIONALE: This policy is in accordance with the policies
	 established by GED Testing Service® of the American Council on
	 Education/Pearson VUE.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 6,1993, January 1, 2014
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT, GED® Testing Office
	 (501)682-1980
COOPERATION AND SUPPORT AMONG ALL GED® TESTING CENTERS IN THE
	 ADMINISTRATION OF GED® TESTING PROGRAMS
POLICY: All educational institutions/entities approved as GED®
	 Testing Centers will be governed by the same rules, regulations, policies, and
	 procedures as established by the Arkansas Department of Career Education and
	 GED Testing Service® of the American Council on Education/Pearson VUE. All
	 approved testing centers must have received the same credentials to operate and
	 administer a testing program and should be viewed as an official entity.
INFORMATION/RATIONALE: This policy is in accordance with the policies
	 established by GED Testing Service® of the American Council on
	 Education/Pearson VUE. This policy is also a part of the Pearson/Vue contract
	 signed by the Arkansas Department of Career Education with GED Testing
	 Service® according to rules and regulations stated in the
Policies and Procedures Manual.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 6, 1993, January 1, 2014
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT, GED® Testing Office
	 (501)682-1980