From the ECS State Policy Database High School--GED (General Education Development)

This database is made possible by your state's fiscal support of the Education Commission of the States (ECS). Most entries are legislative, although rules/regulations and executive orders that make substantive changes are included. Every effort is made to collect the latest available version of policies; in some instances, recent changes might not be reflected. For expediency purposes minimal attention has been paid to style (capitalization, punctuation) and format. Please cite use of the database as: Education Commission of the States (ECS) State Policy Database, retrieved [date]. State Status/Date Level Summary WV Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Requires the State Board of Education to study GED issues, especially increasing costs and access to internet and other technology, and make a report with recommendations by a certain date.http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2012_SESSIONS/RS/pdf_bills/sb646%20enr%20PRINTED.pdf Title: S.B. 646 Source: www.legis.state.wv.us TX Adopted 12/2011 P-12 Makes various changes to provisions regarding administration of the Texas certificate of high school equivalency, in accordance with 2011 S.B. 1094 (which calls for opportunity for online adminstration), requirements set forth by the American Council on Education and recent board discussion. Specifically, according to the Texas Register: Subchapter title was changed from "General Educational Development" to "Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency." Section 89.41, "Policy": Amended to remove references to the GED and the American Council on Education. Section 89.42, "Official Testing Centers": Amended to remove references to the GED and the American Council on Education, and to change the educational requirements for chief examiners from a master's degree to a bachelor's degree. Also provides clarification about the amount of the fee to cover the costs for test administration. Section 89.43, "Eligibility for a Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency": Amended to remove references to the GED and the American Council on Education and correct a reference to ChalleNGe Corps. Section 89.45, "Retesting": Amended to remove the requirement to wait 6 months or present a letter from an adult preparation program or a certified teacher verifying that the individual is prepared to retest. Section 89.46, Examinees with Disabilities, was amended to remove references to the GED and the ability of examiners to test individuals at home. In addition, language relating to people with disabilities was modified to reflect person first respectful language as required by House Bill 1481, 82nd Texas Legislature, 2011. Section 89.47, "Issuance of the Certificate": Amended to remove references to the GED and establish in rule a convenience fee of no more than $2.00 to print all certificates online. Section 89.48, "Online Testing": Rewritten to provide for development and administration of online examinations for persons 18 years of age and older. Also provides for verification of student identity and establishes in rule a $200 fee to cover costs of administering the examinations online and a convenience fee of no more than $2.00 to print certificates online. Adopted as published in the October 14, 2011 Texas Register (pages 22-25 of 109): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1014/1014prop.pdf Title: 19 TAC 89.41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 Source: www.sos.state.tx.us CA Signed into law 10/2011 P-12 Adds being at least 17 years of age, having accumulated fewer than 100 units of high school credit before enrollment in the academic program of a dropout recovery high school, and successfully completing the academic program of a dropout recovery high school, as an additional option to satisfy eligibility criteria to sit for the GED to earn a California high school equivalency certificate and/or an official score report. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_0451-0500/sb_461_bill_20111008_chaptered.pdf Title: S.B. 461 Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov OH Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Requires a person who is at least 16 but under the age of 19 who is applying to the department to take the tests of general education development to submit with the application written approval from the superintendent of the school district in which the person was last enrolled, or the superintendent's designee (if the person was last enrolled in a community school or STEM school, the approval must be from the school principal or his/her designee). Provides the department may require the person to submit approval from the person's parent or guardian, or a court official, if the person is under 18. Specifies that for purposes of calculating graduation rates, the department must count any person for whom approval is obtained from the superintendent or principal as a dropout. Pages 144-145 of 1000: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_HB_153_EN_part2.pdf Title: H.B. 153 - Permission to Take GED Source: www.legislature.state.oh.us LA Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Indicates that a child who is at least seventeen years of age and who, after successfully completing a program established by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, has been issued a Louisiana high school equivalency diploma in accordance with criteria established by the Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges shall be considered exited from high school. http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=760069 Title: H.B. 95 Source: http://www.legis.state.la.us/ TX Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Directs the state board to adopt rules to provide for online administration of high school equivalency exams. Requires that the rules provide a procedure for verifying the identity of the person taking the exam, and prohibit a minor from taking the exam online. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB01094F.pdf#navpanes=0 Title: S.B. 1094 Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us MS Signed into law 03/2011 P-12 Clarifies that a student participating in a General Educational Development option program under a school district agreement with a community college or other local entity may not be deemed a dropout for funding purposes. http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2011/pdf/HB/0600-0699/HB0639SG.pdf Title: H.B. 639 Source: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us GA Signed into law 05/2010 Postsec. Rewrites Section 20-3-519.6 relating to HOPE GED vouchers. Previous legislation awarded a one-time $500 voucher to each student earning a GED, with the voucher valid at any eligible postsecondary institution in the state for 24 months from the date of issuance. New provision does not denote amount of HOPE GED voucher, but specifies that to be eligible for a voucher, a student must be a legal resident of Georgia as defined by state entities for purposes of paying in-state tuition. http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/pdf/sb341.pdf Title: S.B. 341 Source: www.legis.state.ga.us MS Signed into law 03/2010 P-12 Revises the GED program entrance requirements for students who are at least one full grade level behind his or her ninth grade cohort. Requires those students enrolled in certain subject area courses to take the end-of-course subject area tests for those courses in which they are enrolled. http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2010/pdf/HB/0600-0699/HB0629SG.pdf Title: H.B. 629 Source: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us UT Adopted 07/2009 P-12 Replaces references to "Utah General Educational Development Certificate" with "Utah High School Completion Diploma". Defines "out-of-school youth" as an individual age 16-19 whose high school class has not graduated and who is no longer enrolled in a K-12 program of instruction. Provides that a Utah High School Completion Diploma will be awarded to an individual who has passed all five subject areas of the GED Test at a Utah GED Testing Center based on Utah passing standards. Provides that GED testing is available to all individuals, regardless of Utah residency. Reduces minimum age for GED eligibility from 18 to 16. Specifies documentation that 16-year-old dropouts seeking a GED must provide, prior to admission to GED testing, including an application completed by the school district, charter school, or special purpose school stating that the applicant understands and accepts the consequences and educational choices associated with the withdrawal from a K-12 program of instruction, including the prohibition from returning to a K-12 program anywhere in Utah upon successful passing of all five sections of the GED test, and signed by the applicant's parent/guardian specifically stating that the applicant and parent/guardian understand and accept the consequences and educational choices associated with the applicant's decision to withdraw from a K-12 program of instruction, and authorizing the GED tests. Provides that an out-of-school youth of school age who has not successfully passed all five GED tests must be allowed to return to a school district, charter school, or special purpose school prior to the time his/her class graduates, with the understanding and expectation that all necessary requirements for the traditional K-12 diploma must be completed for a regular high school diploma. Provides that an out-of-school youth who passes all five GED Tests and receives a Utah High School Completion Diploma must be reported as a graduate for K-12 graduation Annual Yearly Progress outcomes. Allows individuals who have previously passed the five GED tests but who wish to retake tests seeking higher scores for postsecondary admissions purposes to seek permission to retake the GED tests from the state office of education administrator of GED testing. http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/bulletin/2009/20090501/32511.htm Title: R277-702 Source: www.rules.utah.gov TX Signed into law 06/2009 P-12 Postsec. Community College Establishes the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant program and fund to award grants to public junior colleges and public technical institutes, and to eligible nonprofit organizations to: (1) Develop or support nonprofit organizations' programs that prepare low-income students for careers in high-demand occupations. Eligible programs must help students prepare for, apply to and enroll in a public junior college/technical institute, provide matching funds, and demonstrate that they have achieved or will achieve above average developmental course completion rates, persistence rates, and 3-year degree or certificate completion rates among participating students. (2) Defray the start-up costs of new career and technical education programs in high-demand occupations (3) Provide scholarships for students who demonstrate financial need and who are enrolled in training programs for high-demand occupations. In awarding grants to public junior colleges and public technical institutes for the development of new career and technical education courses or programs, provides the comptroller may consider whether the course or program offers new or expanded dual credit career and technical educational opportunities in public high schools. Directs the comptroller to conduct a study of the feasibility of basing part of all public postsecondary technical training program funding on the program's economic benefit to the state, and of estimating the additional tax revenue from employers generated by the ability of public junior colleges/technical institutes/state colleges to prepare students for employment fields for which there is employer demand. Requires the comptroller to report to the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house by January 2011 for legislative action based on the results of the study. Defines "green jobs" as jobs in the field of renewable energy or energy efficiency. Establishes the Green Job Skills Development Fund and Training Program to support the implementation and expansion of green job skills training programs. Specifies that an eligible training program must be hosted by a regional partnership designed to implement training programs that lead trainees to economic self-sufficiency and career pathways. Requires regional partnerships to include at a minimum a postsecondary institution; chamber of commerce, local workforce agency, local employer, or other public or private participating entity; economic development authority; and community or faith-based nonprofit organization that works with one or more targeted populations. Specifies criteria that eligible green job skills training programs must meet. Requires programs receiving grants to target specified groups of individuals for training, including low-income workers, unemployed youth and adults, individuals who did not complete high school, or other underserved sectors of the workforce in high poverty areas. Provides that a training program may use grant funds for support services, including basic skills, literacy, GED, English as a second language, and job readiness training, career guidance, and referral services. Establishes grant application procedures. Specifies training programs the comptroller must give preference to, and requires 20% of funds to be reserved for job skill training programs that serve the unemployed and those with incomes at or below 200% of the poverty level. Establishes grantee reporting requirements, and requires the comptroller to report biennially on submitted information to the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the house. Directs the comptroller to adopt standards for a green job skills training program awarded a grant. H.B. 1935: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01935F.pdf H.B. 3 (pages 169-174): http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf Title: H.B. 1935 and H.B. 3, Section 64 Source: www.legis.state.tx.us TX Signed into law 06/2009 P-12 Authorizes the commissioner to develop a system of distinction designations consistent with those developed for purposes of accreditation sanctions to be used in assigning distinction designations to Job Corps diploma programs. Pages 22-23 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf Title: H.B. 3 - Section 20 Source: www.legis.state.tx.us LA Adopted 10/2008 P-12 Amends rules relating to the PreGED and Skills Option Programs and spells out requirements for districts. http://doa.louisiana.gov/osr/lac/28v115/28v115.doc Title: LAC 28:CXV.2907 Source: http://doa.louisiana.gov/osr/ FL Adopted 09/2008 P-12 Amends rule to review the General Educational Development (GED) testing fees to recommend an increase in the testing fees so that the Department of Education, as well as local testing centers, can operate with a minimal deficit due to increasing operating costs related to administering the GED test. https://www.flrules.org/gateway/readFile.asp?sid=0&tid=6138371&type=1&File=6A-6.021.doc Title: FAC 6A-6.021 Source: https://www.flrules.org/ MD Signed into law 04/2008 P-12 Requires representatives of local boards of education to provide information concerning alternative education programs and GED program requirements and testing locations to each individual who no longer attends a public high school in the county and has not obtained a high school certificate or diploma. http://mlis.state.md.us/2008rs/bills/hb/hb0953t.pdf Title: H.B. 953; S.B. 264 Source: http://mlis.state.md.us/ WV Signed into law 03/2008 P-12 Directs the state board of education to develop and administer a program to provide the GED exam fee for eligible students. Title: H.B. 4477 Source: http://www.legis.state.wv.us LA Signed into law 02/2008 P-12 The Department of Social Services, Office of Family Support establishes the GED Testing Program as a new TANF Initiative. Pursuant to Act 18 of the 2007 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, the agency is adopting the GED Testing Program to support and enhance the educational and job readiness skills of identified students at risk of dropping out or engaging in negative behaviors that can lead to dependency, out-of-wedlock pregnancies, imprisonment, etc. In addition, the program encourages building stable families by promoting GED attainment, leading to improved opportunities for employment. The program provides GED adult literacy services to prepare students for passage of the GED Test. Students' increased literacy levels may lead to the attainment of a Louisiana High School Equivalency Diploma upon passage of the GED, and possible entry into postsecondary education or employment opportunities including vocational skill trainings. Pages 276-277: http://doa.louisiana.gov/osr/reg/0802/0802.doc Title: LAC 67:III.5595 Source: doa.louisiana.gov UT Adopted 01/2008 P-12 Defines "adult basic education," "adult education," "GED," "measurable outcomes." Establishes clearer fiscal standards and practices for adult education programs. Adds a new section focusing adult education funds on student outcomes and student mastery. http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r277/r277-733.htm Title: R277-733 Source: www.rules.utah.gov IL Signed into law 09/2007 P-12 Provides with respect to the high school equivalency testing program, that an individual is eligible to apply if he or she is 17 years of age or older and is not a high school graduate, or has enrolled in a youth education program sponsored by the Illinois National Guard. Allows applicants to provide additional acceptable identification as may be allowed by law or as regulated by the Illinois Community College Board. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/95/SB/PDF/09500SB0853lv.pdf Title: S.B. 853 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet IL Signed into law 08/2007 P-12 Provides that when the subject of a parole or mandatory supervised release is in compliance with all conditions of his or her parole or mandatory supervised release, the subject shall receive a reduction of the period of his or her parole or mandatory supervised release of 90 days upon passage of the high school level Test of General Educational Development (GED) during the period of his or her parole or mandatory supervised release. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/95/SB/PDF/09500SB1391lv.pdf Title: S.B. 1391 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet LA Signed into law 06/2007 P-12 Authorizes the department of labor to establish or to contract with service providers or community service organizations to establish a comprehensive project return post-release skills program for recently released offenders. Establishes the goals and objectives of the program. Provides that the services offered through the program must include GED test preparation and academic enhancement. Directs the department of labor to promulgate rules to govern the program; requires such rules to provide procedures for monitoring of the program, including annual on-sit surveys. http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=447952 Title: S.B. 308 Source: www.legis.state.la.us IN Signed into law 05/2007 P-12 Postsec. Expands eligibility for the 21st Century Scholars program to grade 7 students, and beginning with the 2008-09 school year, to grade 6 students. Provides that an individual must be at least 18 or have withdrawn from school to receive a GED diploma. Modifies the formula for determining graduation rates, and adds an informational five-year and six-year graduation rate determination. http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2007/HE/HE1647.1.html Title: H.B. 1647 Source: http://www.in.gov VA Signed into law 03/2007 P-12 Allows the Board of Correctional Education to develop programs to provide restricted Internet access to online secondary education or adult education and literacy programs leading to a diploma or the General Education Development (GED) program and testing. http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?071+ful+HB3191ER Title: H.B. 3191 Source: http://legis.state.va.us/ MD Adopted 02/2007 P-12 Ensures state alignment with national policies of the American Council on Education and consistency within the operations of the Maryland State Department of Education. Extends eligibility to students who obtained a Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion. The rule refers to the General Educational Development (GED) Tests as an alternate and acceptable way for an individual 16 years old or older to earn a high school diploma. Title: COMAR 13A.03.03.01 Source: Maryland Rules LA Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Community College Requires and provides incentives for high schools and postsecondary institutions to maximize the shared use of facilities, technology, faculty, and other resources to provide articulated and reciprocal technical training to high school students and recent high school dropouts age 16-21. Defines "shared student" as any secondary student who is at least 16 and is enrolled as a regular education student in a public high school and enrolled in a technical training program at a community or technical college. Defines "technical training" as training based on national standards of performance and for which articulated postsecondary technical college credit and Carnegie unit credit toward high school graduation are reciprocally provided for successful completion of units of training regardless of whether the training occurred in a community or technical college or high school. Requires state board of education and the board of supervisors of community and technical colleges to establish by January 1, 2007 a basis for schools to award postsecondary technical college credit and high school credit for units taken in either a technical college or high school. Requires the agreement to include: (1) A description of students most likely to benefit from the dual enrollment program, and to make encouraging such students' participation in the program a main focus of partnership agreements between local boards and community/technical colleges. (2) List of courses that can be most effectively offered on a dual enrollment basis, taking into account courses have been effectively offered on a dual enrollment basis across the state, the availability of courses, access to courses, preparation necessary for such courses, and other information relevant to making workable, desirable, and effective options available to potential dropouts. (3) An evaluation of the high school and postsecondary resources and facilities available and applicable to dual enrollment partnerships. Requires such evaluation to include information regarding the best practice for high schools and postsecondary institutions to most effectively share such facilities and resources. (4) An evaluation of the financial resources available to support the costs of dual enrollment partnerships, including funding sources that are public and private, K-12 and postsecondary, and state, federal, and local. (5) Recommendations about a financing scheme that is adequate to provide high quality programming for students and meet the needs of participating high schools and postsecondary institutions. Requires the final basis to be sent to all local boards and each public high school not under the jurisdiction of a local board, and to all community and technical colleges. Requires every community and technical college to notify every public high school in its service area of the institution's technical training programs, and to meet with appropriate local board representatives and representatives of local high schools not under the jurisdiction of a local board to establish articulation agreements aimed at enrolling at least 10% of the potential dropouts identified by the local board. Requires every local board and every high school not under the jurisdiction of a local board whose mission includes technical training to meet with their local community and technical colleges to implement technical training programs for shared students, with the goal of enrolling at least 10% of the potential dropouts identified by the local board. Directs the state board, during the 2007-2008 school year, to select at least two such partnerships to undertake sharing at least 10% of the potential dropouts identified by the local board in the high schools under its jurisdiction and providing for the dual enrollment of such students. Directs the state board and the board of supervisors to provide assistance and support to the piloting partnerships. Directs the participating schools and institutions to report the effect of the implementation on students, the difficulties of such partnership, and all other relevant information to the board of supervisors and the state board. Authorizes the state board, based on information gathered during the pilot year, to extend the pilot and increase the number of partnerships for a second school year, or scale dual enrollment partnerships up to include any number of partnerships that appear viable and supportable. Provides that by the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year or as soon as funding is available, any eligible student age 16-21 must have the opportunity to be simultaneously enrolled in high school and in a technical training program at a community or technical college, in addition to any other option available to such student to gain such training. Specifies that to be eligible to participate in such a program, a student must have an up-to-date career option program plan, be enrolled in a public high school and not suspended or expelled, and if a minor, have written parental permission. Requires local boards to establish systems to share postsecondary students with community or technical colleges in order to provide access for such students to the facilities, resources, and faculty of any technical training program existing at any such school or to provide any academic classwork to such students in a manner that does not jeopardize the safe and appropriate operation of a high school. Directs the state board to estabish rules and guidelines, including on (1) incorporating programs for alternative and recognized completer programs to high school graduation such as GED diploma completion, into a range of programming available to shared students and (2) local board/community or technical college agreements permitting community or technical college students to enroll in a program or class offered on the high school campus.. Directs the board of supervisors to adopt rules, including on providing assistance to local boards and leadership in the development of the minimum standards of technical and skill programs in order for such programs to meet the standard necessary to be included in an industry certification program. http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=405975 Title: S.B. 749 Source: www.legis.state.la.us TN Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Postsec. Relates to lottery scholarships and grants; provides that a student that is eligible for a HOPE scholarship upon graduation from high school, completion of high school in a home school or obtaining a GED but instead enrolls in a technology center and receives a Wilder-Naifeh technical skills grant shall continue to be eligible for a HOPE scholarship under specified circumstances. Public Chaptered. Chapter No. 980 http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB2981.pdf Title: S.B. 2981 Source: Tennessee Legislature IA Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Directs school districts and nonpublic accredited schools to report graduation rates using the definition of graduation rate specified by the National Governors Association (NGA). Also directs districts and accredited nonpublic schools to report the following: (1) the number of students who drop out of school; (2) the number of students pursuing a high school equivalency diploma; (3) the number of students who were enrolled in the district within the past five years and who received a high school equivalency diploma; (4) the percentage of students who receive a high school diploma and who were not proficient in reading, mathematics, and science in grade eleven; and (5) the number of students in the prior year who were enrolled as high school juniors who are within four units of meeting the district's graduation requirements. Rewrites section 256.7 related to the recommended core high school curriculum. Requires each school district to annually report, beginning with the 2006-2007 school year, the percentage of students graduating from high school who complete the core curriculum. Also requires districts to report, in the comprehensive school improvement plan, how the district plans to increase the number of students completing the recommended core curriculum. Establishes statewide graduation requirements, beginning with the Class of 2010-2011, of 4 years English, 3 years math, 3 years science and 3 years social studies. http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&menu=false&hbill=SF2272 Title: S.B. 2272 - Section 1-4 Source: coolice.legis.state.ia.us IA Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Community College Requires board of directors of each community college to request that a student pursuing or receiving a high school equivalency diploma provide to the community college the student's school district of residence and the last year the student was enrolled in the school district of residence. Requires the community college to annually report the information to the school district of residence. http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&menu=false&hbill=SF2272 Title: S.B. 2272 - Section 8 Source: coolice.legis.state.ia.us IA Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Modifies subject areas covered in tests for high school equivalency diploma. States that equivalency diploma tests must cover reading, the arts, language arts, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&menu=false&hbill=SF2272 Title: S.B. 2272 - Section 29 Source: coolice.legis.state.ia.us IL Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 Eliminates the provision that the additional good conduct credit awarded to a prisoner who passes the high school level Test of General Educational Development (GED) while the prisoner is incarcerated applies only if the prisoner receives a GED certificate. Provides that the good conduct credit shall be available only to those prisoners who have not previously earned a high school diploma or a GED. Relates to early release. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/94/SB/PDF/09400SB2320lv.pdf Title: S.B. 2320 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet VA Signed into law 03/2006 P-12 Allows participation in a general educational development program by court order; excludes from the compulsory school attendance requirements any child who has obtained a GED certificate; adds to the list of those persons who may participate in the GED testing program, persons 16 years of age or older who have been expelled from school and person required by court order to participate in the testing program; does not apply to persons housed in an adult correctional facility. http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?061+ful+CHAP0335 Title: H.B. 347 Source: http://leg1.state.va.us/ NY Signed into law 09/2005 P-12 Authorizes the commissioner of education to implement a program for all war veterans to earn high school diplomas based on knowledge and experience gainedwhile in service if such veterans were unable to do so for any reason. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=s2714 Title: S.B. 2714 Source: StateNet IL Vetoed 08/2005 P-12 Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the rules and regulations for the early release of a prisoner on account of good conduct shall also provide that an additional 60 days of good conduct credit shall be awarded to any prisoner who passes the high school level Test of General Educational Development (GED) and receives a GED certificate while the prisoner is incarcerated. Requires the Department of Corrections to develop and establish a program designed to increase the number of committed persons enrolled in programs to pass the high school level Test of General Educational Development (GED) and receive GED certificates by at least 100% over the 4-year period following the effective date of this amendatory Act. Requires each institution and facility to report annually to the Director of Corrections on the number of committed persons enrolled in GED programs and those who pass the GED and receive GED certificates, and the number of committed persons who are on waiting lists for those educational programs. Effective immediately. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=0326&GAID=8&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=15772&SessionID=50&SpecSess=&Session=&GA=94 Governor's veto message: http://dev.ecs.org/clearinghouse/63/07/6307.doc Title: S.B. 326 Source: www.ilga.gov IL Signed into law 07/2005 P-12 Community College Transfers all powers and duties of the State Board of Education and State Superintendent of Education with regard to high school equivalency testing under the School Code to the Illinois Community College Board. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=094-0108 Title: S.B. 463 Source: StateNet AZ Signed into law 04/2005 P-12 Authorizes the state board to establish and collect fees for the issuance and reissuance of general equivalency diplomas and general equivalency transcripts. Requires the state board to establish policies on fee waivers for such. http://www.azleg.state.az.us/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=2051 Title: H.B. 2051 Source: www.azleg.state.az.us MS Signed into law 03/2005 P-12 General Educational Developmental Test (GED) security procedures; criminal penalties for violations of. 1)  It is unlawful for anyone knowingly and willfully to do any of the following acts regarding the General Education Development Test (GED):           (a)  Give an examinee access to test questions prior to testing;           (b)  Copy or reproduce all or any portion of any secure test booklet or completed test;           (c)  Coach an examinee during testing or alter or interfere with an examinee's response in any way;           (d)  Make an answer key available to an examinee;           (e)  Forge, counterfeit or alter a transcript, diploma, grade report or GED test;           (f)  Fail to account for all secure test materials before, during and after testing;           (g)  Participate in, direct, aid, counsel, assist in, encourage, fail to report any of the acts prohibited in this section, or engage in any activity with the intent to fraudulently obtain a GED. http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2005/html/SB/2200-2299/SB2277SG.htm Title: S.B. 2277 Source: StateNet CA Vetoed 09/2004 P-12 Postsec. Community College Establishes the Prison Education Reform Act. Changes the position of Superintendent of Correctional Education to the Deputy Director of Correctional Education, to report directly to the Director of Corrections. Requires deputy director to oversee and administer all prison education programs in conjunction with the Robert E. Burton Correctional Education Committee. Renames the prison education advisory committee the Robert E. Burton Correctional Education Committee, to be composed of 15 appointed members, and established within the Department of Corrections. Requires the Deputy Director of Correctional Education, in consultation with the committee to approve education programs in correctional institutions and adopt and enforce rules and regulations for the management and operation of education programs within the Department of Corrections. Requires the Deputy Director of Correctional Education, in consultation with the committee and in conjunction with parole and other aftercare programs, to develop and implement a plan for providing transitional educational services for inmates, including, but not limited to, counseling and placement services. Requires the Deputy Director of Correctional Education, in consultation with the committee, to develop a plan and make every reasonable effort to provide every inmate who has a reasonable expectation of release, with the opportunity to achieve a specified level of functional literacy, among other educational benefits, and an opportunity to obtain the equivalent of a high school education if the inmate has demonstrated the intellectual capacity to benefit from that additional education, and to provide college-level academic programs. Requires the committee to advise the Deputy Director of Correctional Education regarding specified goals and objectives, including ensuring that correctional education programs meet minimum performance standards and provide 9th grade literacy skills and marketable vocational skills, developing a procedure, in cooperation with the State Department of Education, to evaluate the effectiveness of correctional education programs, developing a mechanism to test all offenders committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections for academic achievement, and developing a 5-year comprehensive plan for a unified correctional school system. Additionally requires the committee to submit a report to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2007, with recommendations for further restructuring of correctional education in the state and focusing on, among other items, attaining parallel education structures between correctional and public education, funding sources, and correctional education curriculum. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_1901-1950/ab_1914_bill_20040824_enrolled.html Veto message: http://www.governor.ca.gov/govsite/pdf/vetoes/AB_1914_veto.pdf Title: A.B. 1914 Source: California Legislative Web site FL Signed into law 06/2004 P-12 Relates to juvenile justice education; increases percentage of Florida Education Finance Program funding generated by students in juvenile justice programs which must be spent on instructional costs; requires school districts to provide GED exit option for such programs; requires workgroup to suggest strategies for meeting requirements of No Child Left Behind Act and for rewarding such programs for high performance; requires gender-specific information. http://www.flsenate.gov/cgi-bin/view_page.pl?Tab=session&Submenu=1&FT=D&File=hb1989er.html&Directory=session/2004/House/bills/billtext/html/ Title: H.B. 1989 Source: Florida Legislative Web site KY Signed into law 04/2004 P-12 Amends KRS 158.145 to require that all students who drop out of school be counted in the annual state dropout index. Amends KRS 158.6455 to specify that a student must be included in a school's annual average dropout rate if the student was enrolled in the school for at least 30 days during the school year prior to the day he or she was recorded as dropping out. Requires that a student not be counted in the school's annual average dropout rate if the student is enrolled and making satisfactory progress in a General Educational Development (GED) diploma program or if the student has dropped out of school and is awarded a GED diploma by a certain date. Specifies that no state or federal adult education and literacy funds may be used to pay for a high school student enrolled in a GED program. http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/RECORD/04RS/HB178/bill.doc Title: H.B. 178 Source: www.lrc.state.ky.us MS Rule Adoption 01/2004 P-12 Amends rules concerning GED State Policy, with regard to, minimum requirements and eligibility for testing. MISSISSIPPI REG 9040 (SN) Title: (Uncodified) Source: StateNet MI Signed into law 08/2003 P-12 Sec. 107a. (1) The family resource center curriculum blue ribbon study committee is established to explore and make recommendations on implementing a new integrated system of delivering adult education and related family services beginning with the 2004-2005 school year, including, but not limited to: (a) Educational services, including, but not limited to, high school completion programs, adult basic education, general education development (G.E.D.) test preparation, English as a second language programs, and early childhood education. (b) Family services, including, but not limited to, even start programs, 21st century learning center grants, before- and after-school child care programs, parenting classes, and referrals for family and child services. (c) Employment and training services, including, but not limited to, career preparation programs and work readiness classes. (2) The family resource center curriculum blue ribbon study committee shall consist of the following: (a) Two members of the senate, 1 appointed by the senate majority leader and 1 appointed by the senate minority leader. (b) Two members of the house of representatives, 1 appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and 1 appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives. (c) A representative of the Michigan association of community and adult education. (d) A representative of the Michigan works! association. (e) Three local adult education program directors, appointed jointly by the legislative members appointed under subdivisions (a) and (b). (f) Three local Michigan works program directors, appointed jointly by the legislative members appointed under subdivisions (a) and (b). (g) The state director of adult education. (3) The timetable for the work of the family resource center curriculum blue ribbon study committee is as follows: (a) Not later than September 1, 2003, report on its progress to the senate and house appropriations subcommittees responsible for this act. (b) Not later than November 1, 2003, make final recommendations to the senate and house appropriations subcommittees responsible for this act. http://www.michiganlegislature.org/documents/2003-2004/billenrolled/house/pdf/2003-HNB-4401.pdf Title: H.B. 4401 (multiple provisions) Source: www.michiganlegislature.org VA Signed into law 03/2003 P-12 Relates to the general educational development examination; relates to the testing age for persons not enrolled in public school and not otherwise meeting compulsory attendance requirements; directs the board of education to develop a special high school diploma for passing the GED examination; increases the residency requirement. Title: H.B. 1464 Source: StateNet FL Signed into law 05/2002 P-12 Mandates the state board to adopt rules permitting any GED recipient who meets certain criteria to be awarded a standard high school diploma. See bill section 133, page 365, line 3 ff: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/data/session/2002E/Senate/bills/billtext/pdf/s0020Eer.pdf Title: S.B. 20E Source: http://www.leg.state.fl.us MD Signed into law 04/2002 P-12 Requires the department of education to distribute need- and performance-based grants for adult education. Adult education and -literacy grant funds under this program may be used for GED instruction, the Maryland Adult External High School Program, ESL, family literacy and basic skills and literacy instruction. Funding is as provided in state budget. http://mlis.state.md.us/2002rs/bills/sb/sb0737t.rtf Title: S.B. 737 Source: mlis.state.md.us MS Signed into law 04/2002 P-12 Clarifies the duties of the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges in the administration of General Educational Development (GED) Testing Program. Title: S.B. 2626 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet