department of education

Office of the Secretary

proposed

PUBLIC NOTICE

910 General Educational Development (GED) Endosement

A. Type of Regulatory Action Required

Amendment to Existing Regulation

B. Synopsis of Subject Matter of the Regulation

The Secretary of Education seeks the consent of the State Board of Education to amend 14 DE Admin. Code 910 General Educational Development (GED). The amendments clarify the intent of the regulation and as part of the clarification the title has been changed to Delaware General Educational Development (GED) Endorsement. The number assigned to the regulation remains the same.

C. Impact Criteria

1. Will the amended regulation help improve student achievement as measured against state achievement standards? The amended regulation addresses the GED testing procedures not the relationship between state standards and student achievement.

2. Will the amended regulation help insure that all students receive an equitable education? The amended regulation addresses the GED testing procedures not equity issues.

3. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students’ health and safety are adequately protected? The amended regulation addresses the GED testing procedures not health and safety issues.

4. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students’ legal rights are respected? The amended regulation addresses the GED testing procedures not students’ legal rights.

5. Will the amended regulation preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision making at the local board and school level? The amended regulation will continue to preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision making at the local board and school level.

6. Will the amended regulation place unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels? The amended regulation will not place any unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels.

7. Will the decision making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated be placed in the same entity? The decision making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated will remain in the same entity.

8. Will the amended regulation be consistent with and not an impediment to the implementation of other state educational policies, in particular to state educational policies addressing achievement in the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, language arts and social studies? The amended regulation will be consistent with and not an impediment to the implementation of other state educational policies, in particular to state educational policies addressing achievement in the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, language arts and social studies.

9. Is there a less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of the regulation? There is no less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of the regulation.

10. What is the cost to the State and to the local school boards of compliance with the regulation? There will be no additional cost to the State and to the local school boards of compliance with the amended regulation.

910 General Educational Development (GED)

The Delaware General Educational Development (GED) Endorsement is given to persons who satisfactorily pass the General Educational Development (GED) Test.

1.0 To be Eligible to Take the GED Test an Applicant Shall

1.1 Be a resident of Delaware or if a resident of another state work in the state for at least one year.

1.2 Have withdrawn from a regular high school program.

1.3 Be 18 years of age or older, or be 16 or 17 years of age and meet the following requirements:

1.3.1 Be a resident of the State of Delaware.

1.3.2 Be officially withdrawn from a regular high school program.

1.3.3 Be at least 16 years of age at the time of application for a waiver.

1.3.4 Make written application to the Director of Adult Education at the Delaware Department of Education showing good cause for taking the test and designating where the test will be taken.

1.3.5 Provide verification of withdrawal from high school and a copy of the GED practice scores.

1.4 Pass the Official GED Practice Test with a score of 2450 or better and not less than 470 on each of the 5 sub test areas.

2.0 Required Scores

An individual shall have a standard score of not less than 410 on each of the five tests with an average standard score of not less than 450 for all five tests and a total standard score of not less than 2250 in order to be issued a GED Endorsement. Forty five days must lapse prior to retesting and instruction is recommended before retesting.

2 DE Reg. 375 (9/1/98)

5 DE Reg. 1285 (12/1/01)

910 Delaware General Educational Development (GED) Endorsement

The Delaware General Educational Development (GED) Endorsement is given to persons who satisfactorily pass the General Educational Development (GED) Test.

1.1 Be a resident of Delaware or, if a resident of another state, be currently employed in Delaware and have been so employed for a minimum of six months prior to taking the test; and

1.2 Certify under his or her signature on the GED application form that he or she officially withdrew from a regular high school program; and

1.3 Provide an official copy of the GED practice test indicating the applicant has passed the Official GED Practice Test with a score of 2450 or better and not less than 470 on each of the 5 sub test areas.

2.1 Seek a waiver of the 18 years of age requirement by completing a written application to the Delaware Department of Education that includes showing good cause for taking the test early and designating where the test will be taken; and

2.2 Be a resident of the State of Delaware; and

2.3 Verify that they are at least 16 years of age at the time of the application for the waiver of the age requirement using a birth certificate, driver’s license or a State of Delaware Identification Card; and

2.4 Provide verification of withdrawal from a regular high school program; and

2.5 Provide a transcript of their school work from their home school; and

2.6 Provide an official copy of the GED practice test indicating the applicant has passed the Official GED Practice Test with a score of 2450 or better and not less than 470 on each of the 5 sub test areas.

An individual shall have a standard score of not less than 410 on each of the five tests with an average standard score of not less than 450 for all five tests and a total standard score of not less than 2250 in order to be issued a GED Endorsement.

Forty five days shall lapse prior to retesting and instruction is recommended before retesting.