BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
Some students enrolled in the General Education Diploma have taken the test, but failed some portions. In the past, the students were only required to re-take the portions they failed. However, important changes will take place that will affect those students who have failed a portion of the test and have not re-taken it. The new requirements will take effect on January 2, 2014.
Ms. Debbie Sass, Chief Examiner for GED Testing in the Hillsborough County School District said the two major changes are that if the students have not passed all portions of the test by the end of the year, their scores will be gone.
“Those students will have to start all over again with the new test.”
Currently, the cost of the test is $70 and the costs for re-taking portions are $14 or $16. However, after the beginning of the year, the cost of the test will be $130, and the cost to re-take portions of it will be $26.
Mrs. Doretha Edgecomb, Hillsborough County School Board member said the decision to make the changes in the GED Program came from the state level.
“We really feel that this is unfair and discouraging. But, there is nothing we can do about it, even if we don’t support it. The folks who most need to pursue the GED have the least amount of money to afford the higher cost.
“We need to make sure the people are aware of these changes so that they can be time wise. We want them to be successful, not get caught up in a time crunch so there won’t be any barriers for them.”
She further said that those wishing to take the GED or portions they failed can call the Adult Education Center of stop by that office to obtain whatever information they need.
Currently, between 6,000 and 8,000 students in Hillsborough County have not finished their tests.
The registration deadline for those taking the test for the first time is December 6th. The deadline for students who already taken it before is December 13th.
The last day to take the current version of the GED test is December 16th. For additional information call (813) 231-1650 or visit the website at www.acesdhc.org.
