Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 172 - Department of Career Education › Rule 172.00.11-003 - Administration of the General Educational Development Tests (GED Tests)

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
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 Chief Examiner for
	 GED® Testing, and the Arkansas GED
	 AdministratorT. All persons involved in the administration of
	 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/adultEducation/Pages/default.aspx
ADMINISTRATION OF THE GED® TEST
POLICY: Only Chief Examiners and Examiners may administer the
	 GED® tests and inspect or have access to
	 tests.
Persons instructing potential test-takers for the
	 GED® test, particularly as teachers in Adult
	 Basic Education (ABE), Adult Literacy, GED®
	 instruction, secondary education programs, adult secondary education programs,
	 alternative high school education programs and developmental education staff
	 cannot be appointed as GED® Chief Examiners, GED®
							Examiners, or GED® proctors, or
	 otherwise have access to any secure GED® testing
	 materials.
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
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT,
	 GED® Testing Office (501)682-1980
QUALIFICATIONS FOR EXAMINERS
POLICY: GED® Chief Examiners must hold
	 at least a bachelor's degree from a nationally accredited college or university
	 and shall have experience in teaching, training, counseling, or testing.
	 GED® Examiners must have a bachelor's degree
	 from a nationally accredited college or university and experience in teaching,
	 training, counseling, or testing; at least an associate's degree from a
	 nationally accredited college or university and three years of experience in
	 teaching, training, counseling, or testing; or college-level coursework and
	 experience as a testing proctor at the discretion of the Arkansas GED
	 AdministratorT.
These qualifications must be verified by the GED AdministratorT.
The Chief Examiner and/or the Chief Administrative Officer of the
	 institution with the approval of the GED AdministratorT may appoint proctors in
	 accordance with the institutional guidelines and GED Testing
	 Service® policies and procedures. Proctors must
	 have a high school or GED® diploma
	 (certificate).
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
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® Chief Examiners and
	 GED® Examiners must obtain a written statement
	 confirming eligibility 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® Practice
	 Test with an average score of 450 and a minimum score of 410 on each of the
	 five tests in the battery. 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
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT,
	 GED® Testing Office (501)682-1980
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OFFICIAL PRACTICE TEST
POLICY: All applicants wishing to take the
	 GED® test are required to take and pass the
	 Official
Practice Test with a minimum standard score of not less than 410 on
	 each test in the battery and a combined average standard score of at least 450
	 as 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 allow school districts to provide waivers to this requirement, provided
	 adult education rules and regulations are met by individuals aged 17 and under
	 wishing to enroll in adult education classes or take the Official
	 GED® test.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 6, 1993; August 2001; January 2002
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 17 and under
	 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
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
ESSAY TOPICS
POLICY: Topic selection and rotation is established by GED Testing
	 Service®. Examiners may not change topics in the
	 essay section of the Language Arts, Writing test. In rare cases, an examiner
	 may find a test-taker that is unable to write about an assigned topic because
	 the topic is inappropriate due to the test-taker's disability, religion, or
	 incarceration. In such cases, the examiner follows procedure outlined in the
Policies and Procedures Manual.
INFORMATION/RATIONALE: In accordance with GED Testing
	 Service® policy, topic rotation will follow a
	 rotating selection pattern. For retests the test-taker will not be assigned the
	 same topic previously given.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 1997
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT,
	 GED® Testing Office (501)682-1980
RETESTING OF APPLICANTS
POLICY: Test-takers scoring at least 2150 (average 430) on the first
	 Official GED® test may retest at the next
	 scheduled test date without retaking the Official
	 GED® Practice Test.
If the total score is 2050 - 2149 (average 410 - 429) 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 Practice Test with a score of 450 in each area to be retested.
If the total score is 2049 or below (average 409 or below), 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® Practice Test with a score of 450 in each
	 area to be retested.
NOTE: A test-taker is required to take only the part(s) of the Official
	 Practice Test to be administered on the GED®
	 test.
When test-takers are retested during the contract year, the test-taker
	 must be administered a different form of the
	 GED® test each time.
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
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT,
	 GED® Testing Office (501)682-1980
SCORING OF TESTS
POLICY: The GED® tests are scored by an
	 official GED® scoring site approved by GED
	 Testing
Service®. As a general rule, test
	 results will be disseminated to the GED® Chief
	 Examiner and test-taker within 21 working days after the test
	 administration.
RATIONALE/INFORMATION: The above policy is established in an effort to
	 ensure efficient/effective scoring services by the Arkansas Department of
	 Career Education, GED® Testing Office.
Examiners 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.
Scores will not be faxed unless an immediate need is expressed in
	 writing by the test-taker and a vested third party such as an employer, an
	 educational institution, a correctional facility or the military for hiring,
	 enrollment, release or enlistment purposes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: March 2001
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT,
	 GED® Testing Office (501)682-1980
MINIMUM SCORE REQUIREMENTS
POLICY: Effective January 1, 2002, 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.
RATIONALE/INFORMATION: 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 test 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.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2002
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT,
	 GED® Testing Office (501)682-1980
REQUESTING INFORMATION ON TEST SCORES
POLICY: 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 the limited exceptions
	 stated below for verifying scores by telephone or fax, 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 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 copies are unofficial. Test-taker's permission must
	 be accompanied by verification from the third party that a faxed copy of scores
	 satisfies an immediate need for hiring, enlistment, enrollment or
	 release.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 6, 1993
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
	 written and signed 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 signed
	 written 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's written release has been signed by the test-taker in question, 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 form that has been signed by the student.
* 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.
Verifying Scores by Telephone and Fax
Many test-takers need prompt verification of their GED® test scores
	 so that they can, for example, accept employment or enroll in postsecondary
	 education or training. GED Testing Service® permits scores to be faxed for
	 test-takers who have provided written or faxed permission to do so. The
	 Arkansas GED® Testing Office will provide an unofficial report of scores by
	 fax only in cases that require immediate confirmation of test results (i.e.
	 enrollment in an educational institution; enlistment in the armed forces;
	 release from incarceration/detention). Here, the term "immediate" means before
	 the end the next regular business day after applicable fees have been received
	 in the Arkansas GED® Testing Office.
An Official Score Report can be obtained or sent directly from the
	 Arkansas GED® Testing office.
The GED® Testing Office can confirm unofficial score reports by
	 telephone when the following condition is met: callers must prove they possess
	 a GED® score report by reading the date of testing, test form, standard
	 scores, and percentile ranks. Confirmation or denial that such a record of
	 scores is on file may be given.
* Written consent may not be submitted on a "blanket" form which lists
	 all individuals being tested, all staff who might want to know score
	 information, and all testing situations in which the individual has been or
	 might be involved. Confidential information should be released
ONLY
to a
specific person
who has a
specific need to know
about the
specific
test-taker
who
took the GED® test on a
specific date/time.
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 form that has been
	 signed by the student. Examples of other information considered confidential
	 include: physical, emotional, mental and/or learning disabilities
Release Forms
Every Arkansas Adult Education/Literacy provider receiving state or
	 federal adult education funds should have proper release forms for release
	 and/or transferal of confidential information. A request for transcript/diploma
	 form has been provided by the GED® Testing
	 Office to all testing centers.
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 410 on each of
	 the five subtests and an average of 450 on the
	 GED® test.
RATIONALE/INFORMATION: 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
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.
INFORMATION/RATIONALE: The GED Testing
	 Service® requires that approved Test Centers be
	 evaluated according to guidelines in the
Policies and Procedures
	 Manual
for the GED® test.
The first two administrations of the
	 GED® test by a new examiner must be monitored by
	 the state GED AdministratorT or his/her designee.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 6, 1993
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 6, 1993
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. Test materials are distributed to each center by GED Testing
	 Service® and/or the Arkansas
	 GED® Testing Office.
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: For convenience and ease in tracking and
	 distributing testing materials, other than the Official
	 GED® test, the Arkansas Department of Career
	 Education, GED® Testing Office, serves as the
	 official distribution site for all test centers in Arkansas.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 6, 1993
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
	 annual 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
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: GED AdministratorT,
	 GED® Testing Office
	 (501)682-1980