MOUNDSVILLE - In West Virginia alone, 25.4 percent of the adult population is without a high school diploma or lacking skills to function effectively in the workplace, according to State Profiles of the Adult Education Target Population.
To change these statistics, state legislation has modified General Educational Development Testing, or GED.
The new changes went into effect July 1 as candidates will now be required to pass a pre-test before actually taking the GED. A once required $50 fee has also been waived.
Linda Berlin, coordinator of adult education for Marshall County Schools, said several people throughout the state will be impacted by these changes.
"This change with the GED is very big," Berlin said. "The biggest thing with this is GED testing will be free to all candidates taking the test. Another big thing is they have to pass the GED Official Practice Test - OPT - in order to take the test."
Each year more than 1,000 dropouts ages 16-18 do not acquire their GED diplomas. The new policy eliminates the waiting period for 18-year-olds and requires 16- and 17-year-olds to be withdrawn from school for at least one month before testing.
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Fall registration for GED classes will be held at 9 a.m. Aug. 25-28 and at 6 p.m. Aug. 26-27 at the Marshall County Schools Adult Learning Center, 901 Eighth St., Moundsville.
For more information on obtaining a GED or to sign up for adult education classes in Marshall County, call 304-845-7890.
"Sixteen and 17-year-olds have never been able to take the test right after dropping out of school and it used to be cumbersome for them," Berlin said. "Unfortunately we are not going to be able to make every kid stay in school, but these changes will really allow people to move on with their lives. Hopefully in the future they can get better jobs or a better education."
Berlin said another major change with the GED involves its name.
"GED used to stand for General Education Development certificate," Berlin said. "Now it's the GED diploma. They have been trying to get that for awhile. I am so glad that happened because I feel it means more to the candidate. It's a diploma and it holds more weight as far as getting a job is concerned."
For people interested in taking the GED they must qualify by first passing the OPT with a minimum score of 410 on each subject area to reach a total of 2,250.
Debra Kimbler, state GED administrator, said once students pass the OPT they can register for the GED using an online registration process called the GEDWizard. West Virginia is the first state to implement the GEDWizard in conjunction with the Oklahoma Scoring Services.
Berlin said this registration process is not to be confused with taking the actual GED online, as the GED is not administered by a computer in any state.
If the GED candidate is unable to pass the practice test, free adult basic education classes are located throughout West Virginia. Instructors then work with candidates to meet individual needs and to improve skills necessary to pass the GED tests.
"We have a wonderful center here located in the former Moundsville Penitentiary," Berlin said. "There is a small building inside and it has everything they would need including state of the art technology. For those who have already graduated and need to brush up on their skills, they can come to classes to prep for college tests. It's the same for workers who need job keeping or seeking skills."