Indiana to replace GED with new test

Hoosiers without high school diplomas will be taking a new high school equivalency exam starting January 2014.

Indiana has opted to use a new affordable test by CTB/McGraw-Hill to replace the current General Education Development test, which has been used by Indiana and many other states for decades.

Brian Belardi, director of media relations for McGraw-Hill Education, said the Test Assessing Secondary Completion will be available on paper and electronically, something the new GED is no longer providing. The GED will only be available online starting in January.

“The two major differences are accessibility and affordability,” Belardi said. “The TASC allows for more flexibility in all areas.”

The GED Testing Service announced the new price of their exam at $150 per person in August. However, Belardi said the expected price for the TASC is $52 per person, not including additional outside fees.

In addition to being more feasible, the exam will be available at state-authorized testing centers, such as high schools and churches.

Belardi said states administrating the TASC will give test takers the option of taking the exam with pencil and paper or on a computer.

Indiana and New York will be the first two states to begin administrating the TASC in 2014, but Belardi said a majority of states are still in the decision-making process.

Jackie Dowd, deputy commissioner of Indiana Adult Education, said the selection process for Indiana took several months.

After a proposal was put in motion by the Indiana Department of Administration, a committee was formed to review the proposal, and it was ultimately approved, Dowd said.

People who evaluated the proposal included representatives from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the Indiana Department of Correction and the Indiana Department of Education, according to a press release from the IDWD.

“A quality workforce is essential to economic growth,” IDWD Commissioner Scott Sanders said in the release. “It was crucial to select an exam that is on par with Indiana’s College Career and Career Readiness Standards while ensuring it is accessible to any Hoosier.”

As Indiana plans to move forward with its new high school equivalency exam, Dowd said the state is hopeful this switch will continue to improve adult education.

“The state had an interest in this because we wanted to find a test that was in good alignment with the high school diploma,” Dowd said. “We wanted it to be rigorous and have meaning for the clients so they can transition to a post-secondary education.”

Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.