(Washington, DC) - Today, the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and GED Testing Service announced a groundbreaking partnership to increase access to the GED test for District residents. An estimated 62,000 adults in the District of Columbia do not have a high school diploma or GED certificate. Without a diploma or GED credential, District residents are far more likely to be unemployed, live in poverty, on public assistance, or incarcerated. Now, through this partnership, more adult learners will have the opportunity to demonstrate high school equivalency and college and career readiness.
The partnership will reduce the price of the GED test for District residents from $120 for all four GED subject tests ($30 per-test) to $15 ($3.75 per-test). The reduced fee is effective October 6, immediately following the end of the District’s See for Free program, which currently provides free GED Ready™ practice tests to District residents and runs through October 3, 2014.
“For over 70 years, the GED test has provided millions of adults who did not finish high school a second chance to earn a high school credential,” said Mayor Gray. “By reducing the price of the GED test, this initiative will give more District residents access to better job opportunities and higher education.”
Over the next year, GED Testing Service and OSSE will establish satellite testing centers in every ward of the city. The partnership will also provide free educational software for all testing centers, enabling residents to access targeted computer-based GED instruction aligned with the official test.
“While we know that a GED certificate or high school diploma is not sufficient in today’s economy, it is an absolutely necessary milestone along one’s career pathway,” said State Superintendent Jesús Aguirre. “By providing expanded access to both GED testing and test preparation, this partnership is taking a major step forward in connecting the District’s adult learners to a secondary credential and the postsecondary career and educational opportunities that come with it.”
The expansion of access will also support the District’s relevant school and community-based educational programs by providing targeted professional development and technical assistance aimed at improving GED test instruction throughout the city.
“ACE is responsible for the mission of GED Testing Service, and we couldn’t be more excited about this partnership to expand access in the District,” said Nicole M. Chestang, Vice President at the American Council on Education (ACE). “ACE and GED Testing Service were both founded in the District and are committed to providing educational opportunities for adult learners. This new partnership ensures that more residents will be prepared for the growing educational and employment opportunities available in the nation’s capital.”
For more information on this partnership, the See for Free program, or the GED® test, call 202-274-7173 or visit osse.dc.gov. The District GED program testing center is located at One Judiciary Square, 441 4th Street NW, Suite 370N.
About the Office of the State Superintendent of Education: The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is the state education agency for the District of Columbia charged with raising the quality of education for all DC residents. OSSE serves as the District’s liaison to the U.S. Department of Education and works closely with the District’s traditional and public charter schools. For more information about OSSE, visit our website: osse.dc.gov.
About GED Testing Service: The GED test has opened doors to better jobs and college programs for more than 19 million graduates since 1942. Last year nearly 800,000 adults sat for the GED test, which is accepted by virtually all U.S. colleges and employers. As the creator of the one official GED test, GED Testing Service has a responsibility to ensure that the program continues to be a reliable and valuable pathway to a better life for the millions of adults without a high school diploma. GED Testing Service is a Joint Venture between the American Council on Education and Pearson. For more information about GED Testing Service, visit our website: acenet.edu.