GED scoring changes mean hundreds could receive diploma
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Hundreds of South Carolina GED (Graduate Equivalency Diploma) testers could be affected by a recent recalibration of performance levels announced last month.
“Back in January of 2014, the GED test changed and was completely computerized. Since the test is an equivalency exam, it is supposed to exactly mirror what high school seniors are doing. Now here we are eighteen months later and we find out the test was a little too rigorous,” explains Chuck Miller, director of Darlington County Adult Education.
As a result, the GED Testing Service announced a recalibration to the GED test passing score and the addition of two new performance levels. In most states, the passing score for high school equivalency is moving from 150 to 145, so all South Carolina testers who missed the passing mark by five points or less during that 18 month period may actually qualify to receive their GED.
“There may be a bunch of folks out there who have graduated and don’t even realize it,” says Miller.
The total number of South Carolina resident who earned GED credentials during 2014 and 2015 will increase from 3,512 to 4,083 with the addition of the new enhanced scores.
Currently, the number of affected test-takers stands at 57, and each of them will be awarded their South Carolina High School Equivalency Diploma. The GED Diplomas based on the new cut score will be dated December 31, 2015. Technology updates are required to process this new information, so it may take several weeks for the new cut scores to be incorporated in the South Carolina Department of Education’s GED database.
Also, the two new performance levels will be called GED College Ready (signifying readiness to enter credit-bearing college courses), and GED College Ready + Credit, where students may qualify for up to 10 hours of college credit.
“I am pleased that these changes to the GED test and program will open new doors for South Carolina students. Our focus is on readiness for college and careers and this is a step in the right direction for the nation and South Carolina,” said SC Secretary of Education Molly Spearman.
The GED Testing program began in the early 1940s, and since then over 220,000 South Carolinians have earned a high school diploma through the GED testing program.
For more information on GED testing, contact the Darlington County Office of Adult Education at 843-398-2856.