Massachusetts Approves GED Test Program

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has contracted with GED Testing Service to begin offering the GED test program to residents seeking a second chance at earning their high school credential. The GED program was completely redesigned in 2014 to help adult learners be better prepared for college or entry into vocational or career training programs and the opportunity for better paying jobs.

Until this past month, the new GED test program had not been available in Massachusetts for the last three years. Now, the state's adults will be able to take full advantage of the program's unique benefits and can join the ranks of new GED program graduates that are entering and succeeding in postsecondary programs at unprecedented rates.

"The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is pleased to have added the GED test to the assessment options available to Massachusetts adults seeking the high school equivalency credential," said Tom Mechem, State Administrator & Chief Examiner of High School Equivalency for the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education. "We feel the GED testing process provides a robust computer-based assessment along with excellent academic supports for testers and teachers, while enhancing the chances that successful candidates will be truly college and career ready."

Key benefits of Massachusetts's new GED test program include:

• GEDWorks. A program backed by some of the country's most recognizable brands including Walmart, Taco Bell, KFC, and Southeastern Grocers. This program provides employees (and in the case of Walmart, benefits-eligible family members) with everything they need to study for and earn a GED credential at no cost.
• Additional College Ready and + Credit score. A set of American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations that colleges and community college systems around the country allow students to bypass placement exams, skip non-credit remedial courses and even award college credit based on achieving the + Credit score.
• A comprehensive and mobile-friendly website that provides tools to help a student completely navigate the GED test preparation and testing process including linking students to convenient adult education programs. It also includes free features like PathSource, a tool that helps students match their interests to potential careers and to then explore those careers through thousands of online videos and even provides access to jobs trends and salary data.
• Flexible testing and near immediate results. Students have access to convenient testing appointments throughout each week and have complete control over which tests they take and how many tests they choose to take during each appointment. More than 90% of scores are received within just a couple hours of testing.
• Better student outcomes. GED Testing Service research shows that graduates of the new program are more satisfied with the jobs they enter after earning a credential. Additionally, GED graduates are now more likely to succeed in college certificate and degree programs. Grads are entering these programs at higher rates, are enrolling more quickly than in the past, and they are highly likely (93%) to re-enroll from semester to semester.

"Students can now take charge of their future by utilizing the unique tools and features of the program," said CT Turner, Senior Director of State Accounts for GED Testing Service. "The GED program can help them prepare for a job, or transition into a college certificate or degree program, and it carries a name recognized by employers and colleges."

To help students prepare for the newly-available GED exam Massachusetts residents can take discounted GED Ready subject practice tests, now through March 15. GED Ready practice tests are highly predictive of test performance. They contain questions that closely resemble real GED test questions, and they also provide students detailed feedback about areas they excel in and areas that require additional study time before sitting for the GED test. For more information about the promotion visit: gedtestingservice.com/educators/magedreadypromo.

To get started preparing for, or to take the GED test, visit GED.com.

For more information about:
GEDWorks visit: GEDtestingservice.com/educators/gedworks-media-kit
GED Score Levels visit: GEDtestingservice.com/educators/score-changes

About the GED Program
The GED test has opened doors to better jobs and college programs for more than 20 million graduates since 1942. The GED test is accepted by virtually all of U.S. colleges and employers. The goal of the GED program that launched in January, 2014 is to better prepare adult learners for today's jobs and for entry into career and college training programs. The GED test has one score level that is used to certify high school equivalency. It also utilizes higher score levels (College Ready and College Ready + Credit) to certify readiness for career and college programs, and may even lead to students bypassing college placement exams or earning college credit by GED examination. GED Testing Service is a joint venture of Pearson and the American Council on Education^®.

SOURCE GED Testing Service

Related Links

http://gedtestingservice.com/